I've been doing some research and figured I'd ask questions here too.

Going hunting in the Big Horns region in October. I've heard it's almost impossible to heat up water at altitude. Is there a trick to it? If anyone has been camping in some altitude, is there anything you wished you'd had? I was thinking of getting one of those self-inflating foam pads, but will that work well in altitude?

Bascially, for creature comforts this is my basic list

Tent that can handle the variety of weather (still looking)
Tarp or plastic for the foundation of the tent
Something like a cot to get me off the ground
Either foam or air mattress.
Small LP heater to take off the chill
Clothes for layering
Coveralls, boots, polypropelene socks/long johns, the normal stuff.

We plan to go to town every few days to get showers and supplies, but generally speaking we're roughing it. We have plenty of ATV's for local trans. 2 weeks in the mountains, I can't wait.

I appreciate any feedback from those that have been down this road before.

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I have never heard of this before, I suppose you might have a problem with copressed gasses like propane, but I think you have to be way up there for that to happen. You can use sterno or kerosene at any elevation. My only peice of advice for camping in the mountains is that it better to bring too much than too little. Layering also will be much more important when you dont have a way to dry clothes or your sleeping bag.

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The inflatable pad you speak of will work fine. It does not in fact "inflate" so much as it goes into it's normal state and you seal it. That's all I ever slept on when hiking/camping.

You're going to want a dome tent.

Everything else I was going to say doesn't matter, you have ATVs so who cares how much gear you bring.

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Water does take longer to heat/boil, but it will eventually.
Also, if you are not use to high altitude, be sure you drink lots of water. If you don't, you can get altitude sickness - Symptoms are described as headache with fatigue, stomach sickness, dizziness, and sleep disturbance.
Headaches are the most common symptom. Drinking plenty of water will usually help prevent it. Not everyone gets this, but just be aware of it.

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I did want to add one more thing, since we can't edit our replies right now, I will just add another reply. I did not mean to imply if you don't drink water, you will get altitude sickness, other things can cause it - you can google altitude sickness and read about it.
Just in my experience and living near mountains and being in high altitude often - drinking lots of water seems to help. It cuts down on the headaches if you tend to get them, and since the air is thinner and dryer in the mountains - your body just needs more water.

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I've heard from people that have gone out to this area in the past that those self-inflating foam cushions work sometimes and sometimes they done. All depends on the seal I suppose. I figured they worked fairly well.

Yea, hydration is always a concer Indy and we're taking a lot of jugs full of water with us. When we go into town, they go with us for sure to get refilled.

Here's a question, what's the difference between a 3 season and a 4 season tent exactly?

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