Late Fall/Winter Backpacking Shelter System?

steve-in-kville

steve-in-kville

Joined
Dec 25, 2001
Messages
1,139
I have never done any winter over-nights, so I am new to this. I have seen folks use a bivy/tarp system in reasonable weather. Personally, I would rather use a small tent and be done with it. I want to buy my stuff for this before the Thanksgiving week so I can test it out in the back 40 behind my house before I take on any *real* trips.

Ideas? Suggestions?
 
You didn't mention what temperatures you're combating, or budget for that matter, but I'm pretty comfy in my Vango Force Ten Helium 200 till just below freezing.

A good sleeping pad (I use a Thermarest Neo Air All Seasons) and a warm sleeping bag are musts though, they bring the total weight of my sleeping system to just under 7 pounds. There are lighter set-ups, but this was about the lightest I could afford at the time.

Only pic I could find in a hurry:

24895786415_aff9d5f822_b.jpg
 
At the moment, I'm not planning to stay out in much below 30*. My bag is rated at 20*. Budget wise, I'm aiming to keep it around $200 for a bivy or tent system, could go more if it could serve as a year 'round shelter. After I settle on a tent, I need to purchase a new pack as well. But I'm waiting until I have everything before I spring for a pack.

My plan is to spend a few nights in the back yard experimenting. I have a cheapie pad (from Campmor?) that is okay. But that is on the list to be replaced. I had a nifty Kelty 1-man tent that I really liked but I loaned it out and it was destroyed!
 
I have a Marmot Force 2p thats been fantastic for a year rounder including multiple weekends in the white mountains during the winter (Cold and rough). For $200ish though I'd look at the REI branded tents, their new ones are pretty fantastic. I'd also recommend spending most on the tent and a good thermal ground pad, in that temp range you don't need a killer bag. I switched to hammocks year round, mainly for easier setup in the wet, which is also another option to look at.
 
The past couple falls down till about 0/30 I've been using my 0/30 bag + rothco wool blanket on the inside of the bag. Camo tyvek ground sheet, and a 10x7 coyote tan tarp. Has sufficed many times in downpours and snow fall.
 
steve-in-kville said:
At the moment, I'm not planning to stay out in much below 30*. My bag is rated at 20*. Budget wise, I'm aiming to keep it around $200 for a bivy or tent system, could go more if it could serve as a year 'round shelter. After I settle on a tent, I need to purchase a new pack as well. But I'm waiting until I have everything before I spring for a pack.

My plan is to spend a few nights in the back yard experimenting. I have a cheapie pad (from Campmor?) that is okay. But that is on the list to be replaced. I had a nifty Kelty 1-man tent that I really liked but I loaned it out and it was destroyed!
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You won't get a 4 season tent w/in your price range. A 3 season can be had in your budget, but I'd suggest spending $50 more to save about 2 pounds.
 
I used a Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight for years in all kinds of weather from warm summers to winter (dry) conditions with temperatures down to 13 degrees F. Also in many high wind situations and it survived them all. The 2 person is perfect as a solo tent with room for all your gear and still comes in under 5lbs and $200. It's not freestanding so not great for sand or snow, but for all other conditions it's the best small tent I ever owned.
 
Do you currently have a summer tent? If so, just use that.

Where are you and what temps are you shooting for. A winter bag makes all the difference.

Double up on your sleeping pad
 
4 season tents are overkill in many ways. Like Pinnah said a decent 3 season tent will work fine just stake and guy line it so it is weather tight. Add another pad and sleep with your jacket on if needed.
If there is snow you will want a shovel and you will need to use "deadman" anchors to tie down the tent, stakes may not work the normal way; girth hitch them around the middle and bury them sideways.
 
I'm a big fan of the hammock for the winter, I don't need flat ground, I don't generally need to shovel and my 0F setup is 7lbs or 9lbs depending on which hammock I take out but that includes, hammock, tarp, guylines, stakes and top and bottom quilts. If I take the MSS instead with the hammocks its 12lbs but then I've got a ground option as well if I wanted
 
I agree, a 4 season tent is over kill for temps around 30. I much prefer wool blankets to sleeping bags once you get around 10. Mostly because of the cost and they are just easier.
A decent sleeping bag and a tent will serve you well, and like others have mentioned getting off the ground is key.
I'm not sure how cold it gets by you but there are inexpensive ways to stay comfortable while winter camping. About -50 with the windchill is the coldest I have gone and that's about as cold as it gets lol. If it's just me and one other we will build a supershelter, or a variation of one like this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqDEI2apKdY

3 or more guys and we build an igloo.
I have come to love winter camping and it can be very enjoyable and comfortable when you know what you're doing.
 
If you have access to camping in the back yard you should play around with set ups before making a big purchase if money is any concern. I know my suggestions aren't fancy and take a bit of work but they are proven by folk much more knowledgeable than I and easy enough to try, plus that's half the fun for me when winter camping. My warmest sleeping bag is rated to 40 from a garage sale(more money for knives right??)...and I camp in the COLD...like frozen eyelashes and nose hairs cold and I only sleep in my long johns. minus fifty smifty...you gotta get out even when snow is on the ground 8 months of the year. I know, I know, but for some odd reason I take pride in writing this from the coldest, largest populated city in the world...gotta be good for something??

PS thx for posting this...I can't wait for ice fishing and winter camping now! but I guess I gotta get a deer first...its been a rough fall for bow hunting for me. sorry to ramble, just enjoying the thread with a few beers. Cheers guys! Add pics of winter camping to help entertain me. I'll see if I can scrounge up a few.

Let us know what you go with/try OP
 
Sullie said:
If you have access to camping in the back yard you should play around with set ups before making a big purchase if money is any concern. I know my suggestions aren't fancy and take a bit of work but they are proven by folk much more knowledgeable than I and easy enough to try, plus that's half the fun for me when winter camping. My warmest sleeping bag is rated to 40 from a garage sale(more money for knives right??)...and I camp in the COLD...like frozen eyelashes and nose hairs cold and I only sleep in my long johns. minus fifty smifty...you gotta get out even when snow is on the ground 8 months of the year. I know, I know, but for some odd reason I take pride in writing this from the coldest, largest populated city in the world...gotta be good for something??

PS thx for posting this...I can't wait for ice fishing and winter camping now! but I guess I gotta get a deer first...its been a rough fall for bow hunting for me. sorry to ramble, just enjoying the thread with a few beers. Cheers guys! Add pics of winter camping to help entertain me. I'll see if I can scrounge up a few.

Let us know what you go with/try OP
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This is a young mans game for me now. At 56 I no longer find freezing my hoop off to be enjoyable. I have done the -50 stuff, no longer interested. Now, a day trip ice fishing and a hot shower at the end of the day works for me, and the wife. Good that some folks have the stones to go for it still though. Have fun fellows.
 
upnorth said:
This is a young mans game for me now. At 56 I no longer find freezing my hoop off to be enjoyable. I have done the -50 stuff, no longer interested. Now, a day trip ice fishing and a hot shower at the end of the day works for me, and the wife. Good that some folks have the stones to go for it still though. Have fun fellows.
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I also don't enjoy camping in really cold conditions. I just see no point unless that is the only option you have and want to camp in the winter. I prefer to just enjoy the outdoors for the day and return home to a warm bed or warm motel/hotel room.
 
upnorth said:
This is a young mans game for me now. At 56 I no longer find freezing my hoop off to be enjoyable. I have done the -50 stuff, no longer interested. Now, a day trip ice fishing and a hot shower at the end of the day works for me, and the wife. Good that some folks have the stones to go for it still though. Have fun fellows.
Click to expand...

I used to solo snowshoe 10 days trips in the Green Mountains, Adirondacks, or the Whites
Being out for that length of time make it magic
You get to be used to both the silence and the cold


Where I am now, we get a couple of inches of snow a couple of times a year
And at 62 I would not be doing it now...........
 
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