Questions tagged [winter-camping]
Camping questions which are specific to the winter season or camping in low temperatures, as winter may not always be cold in every geographical location.
32
questions
59
votes
15answers
14k views
What are some common mistakes to avoid when trying winter camping for the first time?
I would like to try winter camping. What are some common mistakes first-timers make when trying to camp in the cold?
I would be camping in temperatures between 0 and 32 Fahrenheit (-17 to 0 degrees ...
45
votes
18answers
16k views
Why do I always wake up freezing?
I like to go camping in the forest, mostly in summer, sometimes also when temperatures drop to about 0°C/32°F during the night.
I have a three-season sleeping bag (T-comf: -2°C, T-lim: -8°C, ...
38
votes
7answers
11k views
Any tips to reduce chance that I have to get up and pee in the night (not counting dehydration, of course)
Well, here's the situation. You're on an outdoor trip in winter. It's cold outside and after a long day all you want to do is crawl into your warm sleeping bag and not get out of it until the next ...
20
votes
5answers
5k views
What do I do to prevent and treat frostbite?
I'm going to be winter camping, and I'm concerned about getting frostbite. What can I do to protect myself?
17
votes
3answers
24k views
Does whiskey help keep you warm in winter?
It is a rare day that I head out into the winter wilds without a flask of sumpt'n-sumpt'n in my pocket. A nip helps one to relax, can mildly embolden timid skiers in my group, and gives one that fiery ...
17
votes
5answers
4k views
What coat should I wear when camping that won't be damaged through melting by embers from a fire?
I've gone sub-freezing camping a few times and each time I've had an ember (without noticing) melt/burn through an outer layer.
The first time was through a synthetic down type jacket (fairly thin), ...
14
votes
4answers
5k views
Is it safe to wear a down jacket while building a fire
The outside of a down jacket is usually made of nylon or polyester, which is inflammable.
While trying to build a fire, is it safe to wear this jacket? Or will the flying embers be enough to set the ...
14
votes
5answers
2k views
Is there a simple at-home test to objectively measure the insulating value of a sleeping pad?
Does anyone know of a reasonably simple means of using household items to objectively measure the insulating value of a sleeping pad, in a way that accurately predicts that aspect of performance in ...
14
votes
4answers
5k views
Winter Camping: How to warm up your boots in the morning?
Is there a good technique to warm up your boots in the morning? Should you just put them on and warm them up with your feet or is there a better alternative?
14
votes
4answers
1k views
What is the most effective way to keep warm in a Hammock in below freezing weather?
I've hammock camped twice in below freezing weather, between 10 F and 25 F (-12C and -4C). The first time using a closed-cell foam (CCF) pad and the second time using a full size underquilt.
I'm ...
13
votes
2answers
994 views
Is a mountaineering tent necessary for backpacking Iceland?
I need a tent that will work in snow, sand storms, lots of wind, rain and sun(UV). Temperatures I'm expecting are -2C at night to 15C during the day. I will be backpacking, so the tent's weight should ...
11
votes
8answers
3k views
Do truly all-season tents exist?
A 4-season tent is a tent suitable for winter use; for example, see this post. According to sectionhiker, the phrase is actually a misnomer:
Moreover the phrase “4 season tent” is a misnomer since ...
11
votes
2answers
2k views
Do “R” values add proportionally?
For winter camping it is recommended to use a sleeping pad with an R value greater than 5.
Can you alternatively use two closed cell 2.5R pads one on top of each other?
If using an inflatable pad ...
10
votes
2answers
836 views
Thru-hiking the Long Trail (Vermont) in late January
I'm preparing for a (solo if I can't find anyone to go with me) hike on the Long Trail in Vermont. I thru hiked the Appalachian Trail (AT) starting in February, but Georgia is very warm compared to ...
9
votes
2answers
684 views
How can I keep insulin at the correct temperature in sub zero temperatures?
I am a Type 1 diabetic and aspire to move to the arctic wilderness of Alaska.
I can figure out how to maintain enough emergency carb food for survival.
The one thing I'm not sure how I will handle ...
8
votes
5answers
519 views
How could a lighter winter sleeping bag also be warmer?
Western Mountaineering makes both the Bison GWS (rated -40) and the Cypress GWS (rated -30) sleeping bags. But the Bison has a lower fill weight (42 oz) and is cheaper ($1095) vs the Cypress (50 oz ...
8
votes
7answers
2k views
Will I be warmer in my sleeping bag inside or outside of my tent, when winter camping?
I spent one night outside, at -28 degrees F, in an -40 arctic bag. I had no tent, only a small poly tarp between the snow and my bag. I stayed fully clothed but barely slept due to being so cold all ...
8
votes
2answers
1k views
Does a cotton lined sleeping bag make sense?
I have always been under the impression that cotton is the enemy of a hiker - it absorbs moisture and just becomes a horrible wet casing around you, transferring away all the heat.
I was therefore ...
7
votes
1answer
351 views
Why are stove jacks NOT normally made of metal?
A stove jack allows you to safely extend a stovepipe through the roof or
wall of your tent. Our stove jacks are constructed of fire proof
17-ounce [0.48 kg] silicone-coated glass material (18" x ...
7
votes
1answer
356 views
Does my layering system need adjusting?
I'll be "backpacking" -- to imply traveling from country to country, but also hiking and camping in the backcountry -- various parts of Europe in winter for 3 months.
I've camped and hiked before, ...
7
votes
1answer
279 views
How much will the ceiling of a snow cave drop by during the night?
Every time I have slept in a snow cave, I have woken up to a ceiling that was noticeably lower than when I went to sleep. Is there a good rule of thumb for estimating how much lower it will get?
...
6
votes
1answer
189 views
Are sleeping system R-ratings additive? [duplicate]
When buying a sleep system it is important to consider the R-rating, referring to the thermal resistance of the product(s) and how that compares to the conditions that one will use them in. Some ...
6
votes
1answer
570 views
How to prevent frost / ice damage camping equipment?
When camping in summer rain overnight or dew in the morning is fine as it'll likely all evaporate off in the day.
When camping in winter dew, rain, or sleet could lead to frost and ice on the tent ...
5
votes
2answers
495 views
Tent Fly Coloured Reflective Tape
I have an MSR Elixir 2 tent with footprint that is great for my spring/summer/fall rock trips and is made of quite durable fabric. It has worked quite well at very cold temps and has very effectively ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
Install a stove jack onto a canvas tent without one
I'd like to buy a kodiac canvas tent but they don't come with stove jacks.
Not being handy at all, is there any company or store type where I could take the tent to and they could put the stove jack ...
5
votes
1answer
296 views
What is an alternative sleep system if I don't want to use a down mummy bag for winter camping?
I would like to winter camp in a 4-season tent but am interested in alternatives to mummy sleeping bags. I want to avoid that shape.
What alternative sleep systems do people use that are appropriate ...
4
votes
2answers
559 views
What kind of material was used to make traditional stove jacks?
A stove jack allows you to safely extend a stovepipe through the roof or
wall of your tent.
Modern-day stove jacks appear to be made of silicone fiberglass.
However, it's my guess that silicone ...
3
votes
2answers
291 views
Best places in Europe to practice wilderness camping skills without much tourism?
What would be the most suitable places in Europe where I could venture with some friends on a backpacking trip where we could sleep in tents for about a week and practice camping skills, without much ...
3
votes
1answer
106 views
What's the difference between Mountain Hardwear's Trango and AC lines of tents?
Mountain Hardwear presently lists two major lines of mountaineering tents: the Trango series and the AC series. The primary difference seems to be that the Trangos feature a double-wall, are cheaper, ...
2
votes
1answer
158 views
winter hammock camping
What's the warmest underquilt I can buy for an asymmetric 1 man camping hammock? My hammock is the Hennessy expedition. I'm thinking of the warbonnet wookie (Scandinavian) but that is custom built for ...
1
vote
1answer
146 views
Will the foldable tent stove leak smoke during use?
Prepare for camping this winter. It is said that a folding tent stove is best when camping in winter, which can increase heat and hot food. But I heard that the folding tent stove will leak smoke, ...
1
vote
0answers
113 views
What could be a long and scenic two days backcountry ski tour in Switzerland, bivying on the snow? [closed]
I am a backcountry skier/snowshoes hiker and I finally want to do an overnight experience in the Alps.
The Simplon Dorf area would be ideal (for I can access it quite easily), but any southern Swiss ...
