FirstSpear TV

Sub-Arctic Winter Bivouacking

Enjoy this 1955 US Army training film and consider two things. First, how much has changed such as clothing systems and second, how much hasn’t like tentage.

11 Responses to “Sub-Arctic Winter Bivouacking”

  1. Terry B. says:

    When I went through the Northern Warfare Training Center in Jan of 1980 we were still using those exact same techniques and basically the same gear. Not very sophisticated, but it worked.

    Thanks for sharing this SSD.

    TLB

  2. Jon says:

    Our ahkios are staged. Just sayin’

  3. Jon, OPT says:

    Used all that stuff in 2000, except we got COTS Tubbs snowshoes, and never used the skis.

  4. kryptekman says:

    What a cowink-adink, i just went on a Hike today in Alaska, the temp was 0 and I layered perfectly. I was really comfortable and only got cold after sitting down for 20 minutes to enjoy the scenery.

  5. Strike-Hold says:

    We used a lot of this exact same “first rate US Army equipment” when I went through the Northern Warfare Training Center in 1985.

    Interestingly, that ‘normal Arctic pack’ shown in the video is basically a direct copy of the British 1944 Pattern Bergen!

  6. Rob371 says:

    Haha. No joke, less than two years ago during Arctic survival training I used the same tent. Good times were had by all as we rotated positions around the stove (also the same) at 30 below.

  7. Snow Pirate says:

    We were using this in Mad River Glen drills in the 3/172 IN (MTN) VT ARNG as of 2009: akhios, 10-man tents and ski skins. Tent fire rollout (literally) drills, dragging akhios, skijoring with SUSV and squad, chapstick/lighter necklaces, using mre cardboard to support bipods…loved it. The only updates were a shovel added to the pioneering tools, pre-fabricated tent pole holder and deadman’s stakes (besides no c-rats, BARs or Garands). I regret not going to MWS but the depth of knowledge at the unit level was awesome to a young private. We rocked MSR snowshoes and the 7 layer pcu with Lowa hard boots at all winter drills. Great guys, I miss the mountain BN.

  8. Diddler says:

    “Deluxe” toilet seat. Great video.

  9. bluenoser says:

    And also the eligibility of women has changed, don’t you know.

    http://www.defenseone.com/management/2015/12/carter-open-all-women/124172/?oref=d-river

  10. R711 says:

    The more things change, the more they stay the same LOL

  11. Rob Collins says:

    I winter camp a few times per year, sometimes with a pack, sometimes a sled, sometimes on snowshoes, sometimes on AT skis with skins. Will be going up to camp at 11,000′ in January, pulling a sled, probably taking a TiGoat V8 & a Kifaru stove, meeting like-minded friends. (met at a Kifaru redezvous) Maybe a Black Diamond Megamid & MSR Whisperlite.

    Thanks for the video, and bigger thanks to folks reading who do this as a JOB, much respect to the Mountain Guides and 10th Mountain Division Troops and others whose toughness inspires (shames) me to wanna be following in your tracks.