Hey Vince-obviously your definition of a "hootchie" and mine are diff't!With yours you must stay dry,with mine you get no sleep!

Vince,
When the temps outside drop below freezing the snow acts as an insulation layer, the bag is "dura" something and yes, it's waterproof but it breaths so you don't get sweat build up. I don't think it has a Goretex liner between the insulation and the outer cover but it might. My bag is rate to -30F. Packing the snow into a sheath for the bag is just to keep the wind off and the temp in the "tunnel" stays slightly above freezing - I know because my canteen didn't freeze but the water in the pot out in the open did.

We were on four feet of snow that was pretty well packed and didn't want to cut the trees (wilderness area) to lay down boughs. It was more than comfortable enough - better than the rocky ground - and it was just a one night rest before traveling the next leg of our trip.

TRBLSHTR wrote:

:lol: Hey Vince-obviously your definition of a "hootchie" and mine are diff't!With yours you must stay dry,with mine you get no sleep!

I'd say your hootchie is probably worn out or in need of reproofing mate, although that would be more expensive than buying a new hootch.

I have maybe half a dozen hootchies...some of Vietnam pattern issue and others of a newer cam pattern that are also slightly larger, but only by inches.

I believe the US hootchie was also a poncho, meaning it got plenty of wear and tear which would reduce its service life significantly. The Aussie hootchie is a dedicated shelter, even if only a single sheet.

Paul...interesting about the snow mate...I would have thought it would be like ice in a cooler, bringing the temp down. Sounds like a real nice bag you have too mate.

Talk about hootchie or tarps,
Nowdays I use Silnylon model tarp, very light (560grams) 3x3 meters, when folded its a small cylinder of about 80 mm diameter and 150 mm long, fits in a cargo pocket easily.
I got mine from Terra Rosa Gears www.terrarosagear.com/...elters.htm

Mine is a "Prospecting Tarp" model, Its a bit costly but definitely satisfactory gear.
I can sit under it even in the heaviest downpour nice and dry.
Small enough to put in one of the backpack pocket too.

What do they say about two great people separated by a common language?

www.merriam-webster.co...ry/hoochie

As in hootchy-kootchy, after a few of these they look better at closing time.

Well, winter camping with a hoochie begin sounds pretty attractive

The Terrarosa Tarps are almost the same as a hootchie Gelan. I've spent many a long wet night under a hootchie in pouring rain and stayed dry...in fact it is rather relaxing listening to the rain falling on the hootch.

I have a couple of hammocks, but I don't use them these days...too hard on the back. A hammock, a mossie net that ties off to the hootchie and you have a nice comfy bed.

When I was in the US army we had a shelter halve, six tent pegs and one tent rope. So you would build a two man shelter with your teammate. In the Canadian army we built hoochies with our poncho or a ground sheet.

punkin and pete-got what I said!!!

TRBLSHTR wrote:

:-D punkin and pete-got what I said!!!

a hot hootchie mama in the hammock could be interesting to say the least.....I got the inuendo too
as for the other meaning we here in Godzone use for hootch...well getting into a hammock would be hard enough.also know as dagga,maorispajamas,dak dope ,weed etc etc etc
but Iknow the type you ment Vince a 2mtr x2 mtr ish piece of waterproof cloth with domes and eyelets around the edges which can be used as a fly cover or domed together as a sleeping bag cover.

Yup-a hoochie to me has legs,a hootch is to stay dry,and in my service time two ponchos and a length of paracord,and stakes or pegs was a tent or hootch-never stayed very dry with them either!

I used a 6 mil tarp for my "hootch" when back-packing. Never took a woman along - of any flavor. They just complained on the short walks and I figured if I wanted to be miserable I could take the girl to a movie.

I wish there had been one like Suz around back then.

Oh PaulS you silver tongued devil-you!

What........to keep you dry? I don't take well to bein staked down (could be persuaded tho......)