Have you been winter camping

[wildmonger]

Have I been winter camping? Winter is the absolute best time of the year for "easy camping". You don't need a tent usually, except for wet snow. The colder the better.
Most nights, the stars are bright, and you just flop your pad down on top of the snow virtually anywhere. the snow acts as a cushion, and molds to your body. The pad insulates you, and keeps you dry. It is absolutely critical to stay dry, especially with down sleeping bags. Never let any part of you touch the snow, or the warmth of your body heat will melt what it infringes upon, and slowly seep into your bedding.
In a storm, burrow into the snow. It is easy to mold a snow house, and there are infinite variations. For instance, during one bad snow storm in Maryland one January, eleven of us carved into a huge drift formed on the back of a hillside, and made one long hall which fit us all nicely for the night. Advantages: the snoring is absorbed by the snow. A candle throws off huge amounts of light. The temperature inside was fifty degrees warmer than outside the cave. For an instant shelf for food, stoves, etc. you just punch a hole into the wall - wherever. No rent. no wind. Quiet. And disadvantages: you have to crawl outside over everyone else to go pee - unless you're male. then you just drill a hole in the snow.
It's never too-o-o cold. You dress for it.
The Eskimos look forward to winter. It's much cleaner when there's no mud, and everything freezes into a solid.
I always long for the snow flakes to come, so I can go camping, usually on skies. But no one wants to come. How sad.

[Newanderthal]

In Louisiana it's too hot to camp any other time. In the winter, the mosquitoes aren't around and the air is nice. I love winter camping.

[dinosaur]

I've tent camped in temps down to -10F. The toughest part is getting in and out of the sleeping bag. You have to strip down to get in and then it takes a few minutes for the bag to heat up. Same problem in the morning. You have to get up and get dressed quickly. Of course, you don't have to do it the way I did. They now have some great little propane tent heaters that will keep your tent warm. My only advice here is to stay away from catylitic heaters.

[Refrigerator]

Try using a Nalgene water bottle with Hot water inside that bag.....

[Igloo Ed]

Originally Posted by wildmonger

The Eskimos look forward to winter. It's much cleaner when there's no mud, and everything freezes into a solid.

Indeed, everything is frozen and one can travel pretty much anywhere. A frozen swamp is welcomed as it is the easiest traveling possible, usually a strait line compared to going around wet areas and through trees in summer.
I prefer snowshelters over tents because I can get up in the morning in temperatures above freezing.
Once a person learns what should be a mantra, one just needs to learn to stay dry, winter camping is the absolute best.

[woodstock]

Michael, try to make sure you find or borrow a tent with a well seamed floor, and try and borrow or purchase a "Footprint" for the tent. You place the Footprint down first on the snow and then pitch you tent on top, helping to stop moisture from underneath. Remember when snow camping you need to insulate your self from below as well, your body heat will melt the snow below you and create the wetness you refer to. Perhaps an insulite pad as well between you and the tent floor may help as well. Good Luck

[wildmonger]

Winter camping by far is the best type of camping. Ask any Eskimo.
1. Shelters are free and easy to make=igloo or quinsee.
2. no bugs, and no people
3. inside the igloo, you are protected from extreme cold, wind, noise, animals, meteors.
4. Snow is the most pliable, insulating, light-reflective, creative and pleasurable of shelters.
5. Usually, it's safe. To combat cold, throw on the blankets according to the termperature. Max: 2 cheap blankets over a cheap bag in the WORST cold outside.
Note: I have enough winter camping tales to fill a book.

[Redlantern]

I agree with what some of the others have said about camping in the winter. I've got a bit of experience with it myself. I find the most important thing is to stay dry. I'm not into down, doesn't keep you warm if (when) it gets wet. I don't care to use a tent unless there is a wet snow predicted. Even then, I'd rather just use a decent bivy sack.
I'm not a fan of snow shelters. Everything gets so damp in them. Building them gets me drenched. Not for me.
Keeping warm isn't that tough, good gear and high fat foods help.

[va_hiker]

Yeah, do it. Not sweating all day long and with the right gear and proper prep, you will be fine. Have camped out in a tent and sleeping bag in 9 degree weather and did just fine. Got to keep your water in pots so when it freezes, just put her on the stove to get your water back. My secret to a sound sleep is to fill your Nalgene with HOT water, but a sock on it and toss it in the bottom of your bag. Still warm in the morning.

[woodsman]

Well you can go winter camping in some areas and have a nice weather of 90 . Yes I have been a few times and I find that with the right gear it can be quite a wonderful experience especially for those who can appreciate the ocean of snow that seems to envelop everything that you can see.