0

Your Cart is Empty

Dog Boxing with Doug Chatten

April 11, 2014

Doug Chatten, Professional Ski Patroller and Mont Ambassador, has had plenty of experience when it comes to on-snow camping. Read on for his guide to a comfortable night on the slopes.

My preferred style of overnight ski touring is combining gear & clothing in a lightweight minimalistic sleeping system so I’m not wasting energy on the approach. I like to head for the steeps where I can ski & climb & give the Mont team some real product feedback.

Doug Chatten, Mont Ambassador

When bivvying on the steeps I fashion a dog box; a pit across the slope which keeps me arrested particularly in icy conditions. A wind spine amongst some good rock anchors on a steep slope makes a good site. At one end I have a foot well with a bench in front so I can sit up, get organised & cook. It adds a new dimension to ski in ski out accommodation & provides for some spectacular sunsets. A Helium sleeping bag and Warmlite sleeping mat under the open sky provides adequate comfort & warmth.
 

“It adds a new dimension to ski in ski out accommodation”

Doug Chatten, Mont Ambassador, dog boxing on the Aussie Snowys

The following is a clothing list for a mid-winter trip, from this I have choices to regulate my sleeping system by how much I wear at night

Travelling light doesn’t provide the sanctuary of a base camp, is reliant on suitable weather conditions, a disciplined approach, quality gear and clothing, keeping busy, being fit, fuelled up, hydrated & maintaining a realistic schedule. If any of these factors are missing you need to reschedule or fatten up your kit! If one thing’s for sure I never compromise on the quality of my gear, that’s why I choose Mont.

Doug Chatten, Mont Ambassador

Want more? Sign up to the Mont Newsletter to get gear reviews, news, product releases, great photos and advice on all your outdoor needs.

Mont. Trusted in the Wild.


Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in The Mont Blog

Mont Supports Adventure: Highlights from the Kowen Running Event
Mont Supports Adventure: Highlights from the Kowen Running Event

February 11, 2025

At Mont, we believe in supporting events that encourage people to embrace the natural world, challenge themselves, and connect with like-minded adventurers. Mont has been the sole sponsor of Kowen over the 6 years since its humble beginnings, providing flags, bollards, marquees and infrastructure, a market stall to provide the best trail gear, nutrition and mandatory kit. And donating incredible prizes, including Julbo’s newest, top of the line ultra-light glasses – Ultimate Cover Reactive 0-4. The lucky recipient being one of first in the country to own a pair. 

Read More
Micro-Adventures: Escape the Routine, Recharge in Nature
Micro-Adventures: Escape the Routine, Recharge in Nature

January 30, 2025

In a world that moves fast, finding time for adventure can feel impossible. But what if the solution isn’t in grand expeditions, but in small, intentional escapes? Micro-adventures—overnight or short trips into nature—are the perfect way to reset your mind, recharge your body, and reconnect with the wild, all without taking time off work.

Read More
Vertical Wonders: My Rock Climbing Journey Through Tasmania’s Tyndalls
Vertical Wonders: My Rock Climbing Journey Through Tasmania’s Tyndalls

January 28, 2025

The rugged beauty of the Tyndall Range, with its towering conglomerate peaks and dramatic cliffs, offers some of the most thrilling and scenic climbing in Australia.

It just might be the most beautiful climbing venue in Australia.

Read More