Out Here Montana - myMountainStudio

myMountainStudio

my 1st time sleeping out in subzero temps (-23f). jan '24

2/18/2024

I wanted to test out some changes to my winter camping setup to see if I could get down to a lower temp than I usually camp in, but without the extra sleeping pad. I always test any major changes to my cold weather camping system at home, so if it doesn't work out well, I can bail inside. Then when I head back into the mountains, I know what to bring to keep me safe and warm without taking too much or too little.

With our January cold snap upon us, this was my chance. I was actually just planning to test down how low above zero I could go, but then my husband said I should try out sleeping in the extra frigid subzero temps to see if I could. I wasn't so sure about sleeping out in -20's (F), but decided, "Why not?!" LOL! It was a fun experiment for me, and thought I'd share it with you.

I apologize for the low quality of the nighttime video. I was more focused on my efforts to stay warm enough, than I was on producing a top quality video. The video was just about documenting my experience.

Thanks for watching! I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. :)

first snowy hike of the season. october 2023.

1/15/2024

Just a little "mountain moment" of our first snowy hike of the season in October 2023 up Kootenai Creek. Hope you enjoy coming along with the snowy surroundings and beautiful view on this little early winter hike in the Bitterroot Mountains. :)

coaching my husband after open heart surgery - snowshoe ward mountain march 2018

1/6/2024

Here's a video a few years back, taking my husband up for an early spring hike and snowshoe trek on Ward Mountain a year into his recovery from open heart surgery, and training for future hiking goals.

rushing mountain stream. bear creek hike. june 2022.

1/1/2024

Just a little video I did a while back of one of our mountain streams in early summer when the water is really rushing. The power of rushing water always amazes me! -- If you liked this short little mountain video, remember to give it a thumbs up, comment, and subscribe to my channel if you haven't already done so. Much more to come... :)

getting started with "out here montana" on youtube.

12/31/2023

I'm getting started with my youtube channel, Out Here Montana, to share my various mountain adventures in video format. I appreciate all subscribes, likes, comments, shares, etc. on my videos/channel. While I don't have much there yet (at the time of this post), I will be adding lots of fun stuff over time. If you want to follow along from my beginning, here's your chance. Check out my videos and subscribe to my channel. :)

winter sunshine on the mountain. december 2023.

12/31/2023

When we get our valley inversions, I like to get out up on the mountain above it all whenever I can. Although it was late December, we were blessed with a couple of hours to hike and hang out on the mountain with some beautiful sunshine that felt a bit like early spring. However, when the sun dropped behind the ridge, we were quickly reminded by the instant drop in temp that, yes, it was still winter. :)

a frosty morning walk. mid-december 2023.

12/18/2023

With our inversion holding the cold down in the valley lately, our morning walks have been frosty cold, but oh, so beautiful!! :)

a few wildflower pics on a fred burr hike. june 2023.

6/1/2023

This isn't exactly wildflowers, but I do love the aspens too. :)

Thimbleberry blossom with some remaining raindrops.

Indian paintbrush. Always such vibrant colors to brighten things up!

And lots of lovely lupine!

Another quick hike in the mountains today.
And always something to see. :)

trillium and texture ~ big creek hike ~ may 2023

5/20/2023

Last week's trek up Big Creek was Megan's pick and included a plethora of blooming trillium, one of her favorite flowers. (It's been so nice to have her join us on hikes again as she regains her health and strength after her long and arduous medical ordeal these past few years.) I was also in tune to noticing the many various textures nature has to offer along the trail on this hike. Thought I'd share some of it with you. :)

As trillium ages, it turns from white to pink to purple.
Interesting to see the color changes. :)

Love this texture!

Always walking the logs. :)

The few remains of an old tree.

Fresh new leaves. :)

Woodpecker holes in a standing dead tree.

Interesting creature reaching up to the sky. ;)

Another interesting tree creature with two eyes and a snout.
Do you see it? Lichen always adds interesting texture to the trees.

New tree growth.

Lovely color! :)

I love the color and texture of the various mosses and lichen.

Big Creek has a lot of lichen hanging in the trees.
Always fascinating to me. :)

See you on another Out Here mountain adventure. :)

morning hike up kootenai - artistic photos. may 2023.

5/17/2023

Having a bit of fun with my camera settings on a quick morning hike up Kootenai earlier this week. Mountain wildflowers are blooming and the water is rushing!

Whether a short hike or a long one, we always enjoy time spent in the mountains! :)

author

Nikki Weiss
mountain adventurer
+ photographer.

Out Here.
Out Here in nature.
Out Here in the mountains.
Out here in Montana.

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