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Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #16  
Old 13 Dec 2015
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A few things to remember, some manufacturers rate their bags with a person in thermals using them. Having said that, I sleep in thermals when it's very cold, and always wear a hat. I use a decent Mountain Equipment down bag, expensive and doesn't pack doen very small, but it's warm. I also use a thermorest to keep me off the floor and give extra comfort, and a goretex bivi bag over the lot to keep me dry and add extra insulation.
Don't skimp on cold weather kit, and as others have said, keep the calories up to allow your body energy to warm itself.
And whatever you do, don't be tempted to use your stove in your tent for warmth!
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  #17  
Old 13 Dec 2015
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Fill a bottle with hot water & put it at your feet; get a silk liner for the bag; use multiple winter pads (therma-rest) as the ground is your enemy; do 50 jumping jacks before getting in (bags do not create heat, they only keep it in) Have a pee bottle close by and enjoy the experience.
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  #18  
Old 14 Dec 2015
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Lots of great advice on this thread.

+1 on above, but use a fleece-covered 2-litre hot water bottle. It packs small and the fleece outer means you can use almost boiling water, in which case it will retain warmth until the morning. I use these in our cave in the Spanish mountains when there's snow outside and the wolves are howling (OK, it's probably only the local dogs).

And as Cottonwood and Mollydog write, it's essential to insulate yourself from the ground. I use an Exped 9DL downmat which is brilliant—it's extra wide to prevent rolling off, and 9cm deep which is twice the thickness of some mats. This retains the body heat so well that I often use just a silk liner as a bag—I unzip my sleeping bag and use it over me as a duvet.
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  #19  
Old 14 Dec 2015
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great stuff!
Wow what a great response on this topic. Thanks all.

I've done many "hot" trips but the other end of the scale has been neglected on my part, I honestly can't see why after reading all your advice. When you start to consider "cold" trips it actually opens up a whole load more possibilities for winter travel.
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  #20  
Old 14 Dec 2015
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Until you have laid under the stars, watching the Northern Lights and listening to a wolf howling in the distance you won't know what it's like to have your tent stolen.

Andy
Last edited by Threewheelbonnie; 14 Dec 2015 at 13:39.
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  #21  
Old 14 Dec 2015
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All good suggestions. The mattress with the highest R value you can get (you loose more heat through the ground than the air) and a hot water bottle. Huddle up. You can have a fire bunch ready to be lit if you're really worried.

You can also get really small wood stoves for use in a tent if you can be bothered. They fold flat (except the stack which rolls small) and then you can camp at those temps with your summer gear. You'll still be lighter off.

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  #22  
Old 14 Dec 2015
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Also, shake up the bag before getting in. My very comfy down sleeping bag has the downside that the fluff can move front my front (chest - when sleeping on your back) to the bag. This leaves only the outer fabric on top, causing a very cold chest. Down under your back is useless because of the compression. Make sure the fluff is in the right areas and make it Fluffy by shaking the bag up when taking it from the stuff sack.

I camped with minus 20 and it was cold. But only on the butt. I thin matrass is sucky. Get a good, place card board under it.. your jacket or whatever, just something.

Alex

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  #23  
Old 15 Dec 2015
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I've gathered a few winter riding tips from Andy and others here, if interested.
Winter bike riding guide | Ride Norway
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  #24  
Old 22 Dec 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oldbmw View Post
A long long time ago whilst "camping" in early spring there was a real cold spell.

I pulled about 18 inches (50 cm in new money) of fresh green bracken shoots and packed it that deep under my tent.
First night although still cold was better than without.
Second night wass was definitely a bit warmer.
After that the underfloor heating really kicked in and inside the tent was quite warm maybe 15C or therabouts. -10C or colder outside.

Reason is fresh green stuff composts and will provide warmth for weeks.

If you intend stopping somewhere for some time eg fishing trip, this might be useful, but the vegetation you use must be fresh and usually green.

You might want to put plastic sheet between you and the compost

Many years later I used this technique when camping on a municipal campsite. I pitched my tent on their composting grass pile The guys I was with just could not believe how warm it was inside my tent.
your spot on, i use to heat my stables with a heating coil and water pumped around it because it was buried under the muck heap

steve
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