Monkey Hut extra insulation tips?

[roflwafl]

Wondering if anyone has any tips for hardcore insulation for a Monkey Hut type structure.

We're taking our small camp out to Frostburn in a couple months (top of a mountain, in the snow, possible subzero temps) and decided it might be more cost and space effective to beef up our existing structure than try to build a hexayurt or two. Ideally the insulation would also help us keep cool when we make it out to the Playa and other summer burns, but main focus now is keeping warm on the Tundra.

We're thinking section off the last few ribs with as much insulating material as we can get our hands on for a sleeping area, try to close off the gap between floor and roof tarps while leaving a safe amount of airflow for a propane heater or two. About to delve into research and shopping mode, but I'm not finding a lot of info on cold weather prep for DIY structures out there, so I'm wondering if anyone here has valuable tips to share.

Thanks y'all!

[maladroit]

A monkeyhut is just a shade structure. It's not really intended to be anything else, as the basic design depends on air flowing through it rather than ripping it to shreds.

I'd also plan to stand far away from anyone bending a chunk of PVC into a semicircle in sub-zero temperatures.

[BBadger]

Um, this runs entirely counter to what a Monkey Hut is designed to do. A Monkey Hut not supposed to be an enclosure for trapping warmth or cold. It's supposed to block the sun, be wind resistant, and provide lots of airflow so that heat doesn't build-up.

Other than the wind resistance, that's exactly the opposite of what you'd want out of a structure to keep you warm. You want to trap heat and prevent air-flow (convection).

Maybe look into making a tee-pee instead of something like a Monkey Hut. They can provide you sufficient warmth provided you use the right materials.

[some seeing eye]

Maladroit has it.

Most expedition shelters rely on keeping human heat in. That works against the openness of the monkey hut compared to a seams all around expedition tent, and a against your idea of a combustion heater.

We really do not want to see burners suffocate by carbon monoxide poisoning in their sleep.

I have found a few blankets over the tent and under the fly improve things in cooler temperatures. You also want insulation under you when sleeping.

Suggest you question on the Frostburn social media for what is proven to work.

Welcome to ePlaya and our big DIY experiment!

[GadMatt]

Rofwafi: If you should gather such information... I think we all might be interested in hearing about anything you find out. Please report back.
There have been times out on the playa when it was soooo cold at night (and day) that info about warm shelters would likely benefit us all.
thanks...
GadMatt

[Popeye]

Frostburn sounds like fun.
What others have said about a monkey hut is correct. Judging from http://www.city-data.com/city/Masontown ... ginia.html it won't be that cold or windy- temperature low about 20-25 and under 10 mph wind. If I was going I'd extend the fly to the ground and might put a few blankets between the fly and the tent. You will collect frozen condensation inside the tent which you will want to brush off in the morning before it thaws and drips on you.
Winter camping tips:
Wind and moisture make you cold so wear a windbreaker and don't sweat.
Plenty of warm socks changed often.
Wear a hat day and night.
Cotton holds moisture which makes you cold so don't wear any. Did I say don't sweat?
Before crawling into your sleeping bag take your clothes off and hang them up so any moisture will freeze and can be shaken out in the morning. Leaving your clothes on means having sweaty clothes on in the morning.

Source: I camp a lot some now, geting older; in colder weather than this. Currently 14 degrees with a 30 knot wind so cooling at the rate of -5.

[Captain Goddammit]

If I were going and wanted a heater, I'd run one of the same quiet little generators I do at regular hot burning man, and use an electric heater. There's no way I'd put a propane or other combustion heater in my sleeping enclosure.
That's what I do in freezing weather in my camper or on my boat, and sometimes I just use electric blankets.
Nothing beats getting into a bed pre-warmed by an electric blanket when out in the cold! And that idea will work with a monkey hut.

Sounds overkill I know but I'm an old guy who doesn't like unnecessary suffering mixed into my fun anymore.

[Meat Hunter]

What the Captain said. 'Taint overkill a'tall. Besides, it is so much safer than propane.

When it is freezing outside, you gotta be warm and cozy inside or it will not be a bit of fun outside the next day.

[mudpuppy000]

People make greenhouses of monkey hut style structures with bent EMT. Assuming there's any sun, you can get some sort of clear vinyl covering and you'd want to seal up any gaps (except vent holes)

If I wanted something ready to go that could be sealed up I'd do a costco carport and figure out some sort of floor for it. We used it at a desert burn that got down below freezing and it worked well with a heater in it.

[AntiM]

We're thinking section off the last few ribs with as much insulating material as we can get our hands on for a sleeping area, try to close off the gap between floor and roof tarps while leaving a safe amount of airflow for a propane heater or two.
Thanks y'all!

No, not in your sleeping area. Hell no. Last year, during deer season, there were a pair of young brothers who died of CO poisoning from a propane heater in the vestibule of their tent... the parents thought it was ventilated well enough. It was not.

I lived in a crappy uninsulated Japanese house for years, and no matter how cold it got, we turned off the kerosene heaters at night. The house was large and drafty, but we never took the chance. Body heat can keep you warm enough once you're bundled up for the night.