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Out of Air · 01-23-2013, 03:16 AM

Great job on the video !!

truxpin · 01-23-2013, 06:34 AM

Thanks for posting the video! Nice to see a heater that ISN"T crammed into an "unaccessable" area! Mine would be located in the cabinet adjacent to the stool ('01 Limited) Almost completely Non-user friendly! I dread the day I have to do major service to that puzzle in there. :-)

Antique Pedaler · 01-23-2013, 08:04 AM

[QUOTE=deauxrite;1252266]It is really interesting how fast things can change here. Wake up one morning to 20 degrees and snow...today it was sunny and 55. We had the door open and windows opened and got things aired out some.

Same here in Las Vegas NM. Pulled in here yesterday afternoon and it was 68 degrees. Right now, 7:30 am, it's 21 degrees. All's warm & well!

lonewolf1977 · 01-27-2013, 01:12 PM

Kind of unrelated, but we are going to the South Rim at the end of March. Any place to check out some AS folks while we're there? We're staying in the park itself in the Maswik lodge.

deauxrite · 01-28-2013, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonewolf1977

Kind of unrelated, but we are going to the South Rim at the end of March. Any place to check out some AS folks while we're there? We're staying in the park itself in the Maswik lodge.

Believe it or not, I think that we are the only Airstreamers wintering here inthe canyon. That might say more about us and winter camping than needs to be said.

There have been a few Airstreams in the campground, but for short periods of time..as for the end of March..I don't know! Give us a heads up and we will meet for coffee (or whatever)..work schedule permitting!

Lily&Me · 01-28-2013, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deauxrite

Believe it or not, I think that we are the only Airstreamers wintering here inthe canyon. That might say more about us and winter camping than needs to be said.

Ummm, yes!

I have been following this thread with great fascination and not a small amount of astonishment, and have to say that y'all are stronger and hardier than we.

It's been an adventure, right? Would you do it again???

Maggie

lonewolf1977 · 01-28-2013, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deauxrite

Believe it or not, I think that we are the only Airstreamers wintering here inthe canyon. That might say more about us and winter camping than needs to be said.

There have been a few Airstreams in the campground, but for short periods of time..as for the end of March..I don't know! Give us a heads up and we will meet for coffee (or whatever)..work schedule permitting!

Sounds good! Will try to touch base when we get there....we'll be there March 30-Apr 2.

deauxrite · 02-10-2013, 07:18 PM

Just got another 8 inches of fresh snow! The canyon is really beautiful with snow on the rim. Now...I am just about ready for spring. The Airstream is doing OK, though there are definately some serious issues when day time highs do not get above 25. Right now it is 19 outside and the furnace is running pretty much full tilt..and I have the electric heater on low. The low tonight will be around 12 and the high tomorrow around 27 with more snow in the forecast. We are off tomorrow..headed for the east rim to shoot some timelapse footage.

lonewolf1977 · 02-13-2013, 05:32 PM

Can't wait to see the photos. Stay warm!

deauxrite · 03-19-2013, 07:21 PM

We survived the winter in the 27' Safari. That is the good news. The not so good news is that it was a bit more of a struggle than I anticipated. With water issues ranging from frozen (heated) hoses, a frozen dump valve, and a hot water heater that decided to leak on a night when the temperature was 10f..it was interesting.

My thoughts on full timing in an Airstream where temperatures fall into the negative numbers and day time highs fail to reach 20.. do it only if you have to. It is very difficult to keep the trailer above 55 degrees. And when that stretches into weeks it becomes expensive as well. Running an electric heater for supplemental heat becomes a necessity. The Airstream is simply not insulated well enough (even with skirting) to stay comfortable. The guy down the lane from me spent most of his winter in an Arctic tent..he was warmer than we were! Go Figure!

Snow, ice and mud get tracked indoors..it makes a mess in a small space. Just managing the wet clothing and boots becomes a hassle when your outdoor living spaces are unusable due to the weather. Forget cooking the way that you do in summer. Boiling water creates problems with internal moisture..even with a dehumidifier. Showering is problematic too..the vents get covered with snow and ice..man that is one cold drip!

Condensation. Say it again...CONDENSATION! It is a real problem when temperatures are below 25f. It becomes a giant problem when the temperatures are below zero...the condensation freezes on the walls around the windows and becomes even more of an issue. Areas around the door freeze. Areas under the bed have to be mopped daily to avoid large water issues.

OK enough..Grand Canyon in the winter is a spectacular place. It is one of the most beautiful places that I have wintered. The photography has been great. The job has been good. Now..I am ready to head for the North Rim for the summer and try a new experience!

Have a look at the video that I am working on..www.crookedcamera.com

Phoenix · 03-19-2013, 09:22 PM

We spent two weeks in Denver where the weather was mid-30's in the day and single digits at night, and I can't imagine an entire winter at the Grand Canyon. -- I am amazed you persevered and survived.

Did you keep a journal to document this winter's challenges? Can't wait to hear details!

AWCHIEF · 03-19-2013, 09:25 PM

You folks are simply amazing. What some people are willing to go thru to maintain a chosen life style. Standing by to see and hear more of your adventures. I am very glad I got the chance to meet you both this past summer. Nice to be able to put faces to your post.

deauxrite · 03-20-2013, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

You folks are simply amazing. What some people are willing to go thru to maintain a chosen life style. Standing by to see and hear more of your adventures. I am very glad I got the chance to meet you both this past summer. Nice to be able to put faces to your post.

It was great to meet you as well Mike. That rig of yours is a beauty.

At this point Jeanie and I agree that as long as we are full timimg..winters will be spent in warmer climates...this was fun and a great experience, but I have had all of this winter "FUN" that I can stand!

Len n Jeanne · 03-20-2013, 03:20 PM

Deaux, thanks so much for your informative posts. Real "words to the wise."

We just spent 6 weeks in places like Death Valley, Mojave National Preserve, Lakes Mead and Mohave, St. George, UT, and Zion NP. Fortunately these places warm up during the day, even though we encountered freezing nights in some places-- notably the Mojave National Preserve because the campground was above 4000 feet. Most of these places don't have hook-ups.

The warmer days, using the propane furnace, and not using hook-ups at night even where we had them prevented winter damage. Also, we had the Bambi winterized for the trip south and then north again.

A winterized trailer cuts down on anxiety but it is not such a great camping experience without the water. We throw anti-freeze down the toilet and don't use the sink or shower at all. We fill up smaller water bottles and heat water in the tea kettle; using a plastic dish pan if absolutely necessary.

Possibly the best long-stay wintering NPS campground we encountered was Katherine Landing on Lake Mohave near Bullhead City, AZ. Very pretty campground, and with a senior's pass, the price is right.

Gene · 03-20-2013, 06:23 PM

Jerry, what is interesting to me is that I think you have wintered in Skagway once and this was harder than that. Maybe I have that all wrong.

I'm sure the winter at Grand Canyon was a challenge and when the problems get forgotten, you'll be telling stories for years about it. "We had to walk in 5 feet of snow to our jobs, uphill both ways."

Gene

deauxrite · 03-20-2013, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene

Jerry, what is interesting to me is that I think you have wintered in Skagway once and this was harder than that. Maybe I have that all wrong.

I'm sure the winter at Grand Canyon was a challenge and when the problems get forgotten, you'll be telling stories for years about it. "We had to walk in 5 feet of snow to our jobs, uphill both ways."

Gene

Gene, it was 6 feet of snow...and into the wind..both ways too!

Phoenix · 03-21-2013, 12:30 PM

What about that dead horse you had to drag with you?

Over59 · 03-24-2013, 11:22 AM

Sound like you have thing going. We are on our way North and I was hoping to get to the North Rim mid April. Are there areas to park a few days before the CG opens? Are there any trailer friendly BLM areas?

deauxrite · 03-25-2013, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Over59

Sound like you have thing going. We are on our way North and I was hoping to get to the North Rim mid April. Are there areas to park a few days before the CG opens? Are there any trailer friendly BLM areas?

North Rim in mid- April..the last word that I got was that the road south of Jacobs Lake was closed and had not been plowed..and that there was still many inches of snow covering the land. Sorry I cannot help. The word that I got yesterday was that the first groups going into the National Park would be going in around May 8th.

Len n Jeanne · 03-25-2013, 09:34 AM

I would suggest you check out the National Park Service website: it appears that their North Rim campgrounds are closed for the winter and will not open till mid-May. Campgrounds - North Rim - Grand Canyon National Park Yes, it's Arizona, but at a very high elevation, usually with lots of winter snow.

The BLM regional district offices usually post information about their campgrounds within their districts. A bit of web sleuthing should help you find these.

A beautiful park that is somewhat in the vicinity and much warmer this time of year is Zion National Park in southern Utah.