What do you Recommend for Camping in Cold Temps?

[andyspeake]

Hi Everyone,

I'm more of a hiker/climber but recently i've been doing some camping.
I'm from Scotland so its usually Freezing!

Last week I was up Glencoe where the temp dropped down to -5C during the night. It was killer as I was way unprepared.

What do you guys recommend is essential when camping in these temps?

Do you use a air bed or just a matt? Do you recommend any sort of in tent heater?

Thanks,
Andrew

[hikeorbike]

In-tent heaters can be a fire hazard and dangerous. I wouldn't recommend that you use anything like that when you go to sleep.

The simple answer? Layers! Lots of layers.

[andyspeake]

Lol I had about 5 layers and my sleeping bag - although it isin't great quality.

I think the reason I froze was because I didn't have any sleeping matt/mattress and it was only a thin layer on my tent floor that separated me from the ground. Very uncomfortable but I'm new too camping

[CozInCowtown]

Originally Posted by andyspeake

................What do you guys recommend is essential when camping in these temps?

Do you use a air bed or just a matt? Do you recommend any sort of in tent heater?

Thanks,
Andrew

Warm wife works well for me.

[Grandpa]

A good insulated pad can add 15 degrees F to your bag. Our Rocky Mountain summer nights can dip to below 32 F, 0 C, I use an insulated 2 1/2 inch air core in the summers and in the spring and fall, a 2" thermarest. Because most of my camping is backpacking, I use a 15-20 F down bag. Less weight and more warmth. A good cold weather base layer of underwear also helps immensely. I used to carry a fleece liner for cold but found the clothing to be less restrictive and more efficient for the weight.

On longer trips, I carry a tarp as well. My tent doesn't need the extra protection but I like to put a tarp up against summer showers or summer heat so I have a place for food prep away from my tent. In extremely cold weather, I fashion a lean to with the tarp and use my tent as a ground cloth which gives me added protection from the ground. The lean to will reflect the heat from a fire and is much warmer than the tent. I realize in Scotland you may not have enough available firewood for an all night fire but if you do, the lean to works well.

During the colder seasons I also carry some of those crushable chemical hand warmers. A couple of those inside the bag and you really get warm.

[andyspeake]

Thanks For the Reply Guys.
I think A sleeping Pad is must, not sure if its any good with the air matresses?

@CozInCowTown - the wifes a smashing idea!

[Grandpa]

Originally Posted by andyspeake

Thanks For the Reply Guys.
I think A sleeping Pad is must, not sure if its any good with the air matresses?

@CozInCowTown - the wifes a smashing idea!

My air core is a Big Agnus. It is an air mattress with a liner inside that insulates. My old bones like that 2 1/2 inch cushion. The 2 inch thermarest is a self inflating pad. For insulation, I really can't tell much difference between the two until it gets really cold, then that extra insulation in the T rest kicks in.

[ponderosa]

A sleeping pad to insulate you from the ground will make a world of difference. If you have an air mat that is uninsulated, you can use an insulated pad underneath it. I have a down-filled air mat from Exped that I adore...comfy and warm.
I am usually cold, even in the afternoon on hot summer days...so staying warm on autumn nights in the Rockies is tough for me. Some other tricks to stay warm at night are to have a snack before bed (digestion fires the body's furnace and warms you from the inside), and do a little exercise before turning in. You don't want to work up a sweat, just get your heart pumping. Wear a clean base layer and socks to bed, instead of the clothes you hiked in. Even if you think they're dry, they are probably a bit damp and will not warm you as well as clean perfectly dry clothes. Use a hat and gloves of course...down booties are nice as well. Even with all that, and a good down bag and pad, I can still be cold. I resort to a leak-proof water bottle filled with hot water, or chemical hand-warmer packets between two layers of socks and gloves to warm my hands and feet.

[andyspeake]

Thanks Guys...hopefully i'll stay warm on my next camping trip!

[Pathfinder1]

Hi...




All of the above make very valid points. Just remember...the insulation between you and the ground must be at least as adequate as the insulation on top of you.

That considered, have you given any thought to an adequate sleeping bag?