Tent camping in the 40s
- Thread starter rockin
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ponderosa
Active Member
I bought 20 degree sleeping bags for my toddlers, and we use them for tent camping right down to that limit. A 40 degree day is actually great hiking weather, and with the right gear, it really doesn't matter how cold it gets overnight. When I was a teenager, my sister and I used to tent camp by ourselves in the middle of winter. We grew up camping year round with our dad, knew what we were doing, and always had a great time.
Lamebeaver
New Member
I thought this thread was going to be something like this:
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CozInCowtown
Moderator
Nothing a good jacket and snuggly double sleeping bag won't fix.
40's at night and a campfire are a perfect combonation!!
DC
40's at night and a campfire are a perfect combonation!!
DC
pastywhite
Grand Poobah
Sounds about perfect
In the rockies, you may not get it but you had better be prepared for 30 degree F any night of the summer. Check my Wind Rivers picture album. Those pictures were taken the last of July and the lakes were still frozen over and the passes still closed with snow.
As people have mentioned you can tent camp year round if you know what you are doing. 40 degrees is just good learning weather to prepare you for the 0 to -20 degree weather.
As people have mentioned you can tent camp year round if you know what you are doing. 40 degrees is just good learning weather to prepare you for the 0 to -20 degree weather.
ppine
Forester
For a well documented history of camping in cold weather refer to mining camps all over N Amer and especially the Klondike in the days of 1898.
I have hunted elk in below zero temperatures. A canvas tent with a wood stove is what you need.
Throughout hundreds of thousands of years of human history, people have lived outside year round. Think about that the next time it "seems too cold."
I think Lamebeaver got it right. Camping in the 40s was with canvas tent, axes, and basic everything.
I have hunted elk in below zero temperatures. A canvas tent with a wood stove is what you need.
Throughout hundreds of thousands of years of human history, people have lived outside year round. Think about that the next time it "seems too cold."
I think Lamebeaver got it right. Camping in the 40s was with canvas tent, axes, and basic everything.
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Newanderthal
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This!
Coldest I've done was 20's. I used a tarp shelter propped up with hiking poles. A good bag and warm hat is all you need.
oldsarge
Well-Known Member
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My thoughts exactly Lamebeaver! Great pic!!!! I wasn't even going to reply to this since I wasn't born until 1956.
Rockin, I have camped in some very rough weather including below zero. I did it because of something I was hunting at the time. 30's at night and 40's in the day is balmy weather. Your cousin isn't crazy. She's just more rugged than you.
briansnat
Platnium Member
There is no such thing as too cold to camp, only the wrong equipment. Coldest I've ever camped was 8 below zero. It was somewhat uncomfortable because I accidentally brought along my daughter's 30 degree bag instead of my 0 degree bag. Not only was it not warm enough, I couldn't fit inside it so had to use it as a blanket. I put on every piece of clothing I had with me and survived the night.
BUT had I taken along the correct sleeping bag I would have been perfectly comfortable. I've spent probably three dozen nights camping in temps below freezing, with close to half of those in teens or single digits and have never been uncomfortable (well it is kind of cold getting out of the bag to pee in the middle of the night).
BUT had I taken along the correct sleeping bag I would have been perfectly comfortable. I've spent probably three dozen nights camping in temps below freezing, with close to half of those in teens or single digits and have never been uncomfortable (well it is kind of cold getting out of the bag to pee in the middle of the night).
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IndianaHiker
Active Member
Not crazy at all I backpack in temps that are in the 20s and 30s during the day and getting to 0 or less in the nights. Just need the right gear.
ppine
Forester
Dealing with challenges and adversity in the outdoors are largely mental. With experience and some skill, people figure out how to be comfortable under almost any conditions. I really detest the phrase "roughing it." I am always trying to figure out how to smooth it.
For travelling light in winter conditions, try a nylon Whelen lean-to with a fire in front of it. It also illumintates the otherwise dark and gloomy winter nights.
For travelling light in winter conditions, try a nylon Whelen lean-to with a fire in front of it. It also illumintates the otherwise dark and gloomy winter nights.