Who doesnt let the cold weather stop their overnighters?

j williams

j williams

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Who here does not let old man winter ruin their outdoors time? Hikes and overnighters especially.

What changes about your winter shelter as opposed to the lightweight summer hammocks, and simple poncho shelters?

Does your packing list change dramatically?

Or are you a wuss who stays in a cabin or indoors when the weather gets cold?;)
 
I'm pretty much a wuss I guess. Although I will hike quite a bit in weather that is just silly spending the night there is something I just don't do. Do a lot of hunting and farmwork on cold days, but not much camping. When it's 0 degrees with 30mph winds here in Nebraska overnighters just aren't pleasant. Had I better equipment, I'd do it once in a while, but 20* is really the lower limit for my overnight camping.
 
All it means to me, is packing a heavier sleepin bag, layers, and focusing the heat of the fire better. Its possible to stay toasty in very chilly temps.

Ive already done one that got down to 35 degrees this fall. It was nice to get re aclimated to the cold slowly before the really cold temps pop in!
 
Since I have had some health issues the last few years, I am a wuss. I do less in the cold month's than ever now. In fact tent camping will be out of the question for me within the next 5 years, but I will still be training my kids.
 
we camp all year around.... we definately need to pack more gear, clothes and food...
 
When I did do Winter camping, it just meant an extra blanket, more socks and longer by the fire.
 
I guess that depends on your definition of cold. I don't mind 0° or so but when it's -30° I'll stay in the house if I have a choice. :D

As far as gear goes, I break out the down vest/jacket/goretex, insulated boots, etc. I use a tent year round, one with more mesh for summer and a 4-season when it's colder, although depending on where I go I may use the 4-season even in the summer. It can get pretty cool at night when you're at 10k ft even in July or August. Naturally the heavier sleeping bag comes out in winter as well.
 
I'll be out kayaking in the Bay of Fundy for an overnighter in two days. Temps will be just below freezing based on forcast. I've bivied on the side of Mt Washington(NH) in the middle of January on numerous outings with temps down into the wayyyy cold without issue. One night we were in conditions that saw 90mile winds for windchills off the charts posted at Pinkholm Notch. Sleeping wasn't exactly confortable, but we managed. But sleeping wasn't the issue; getting up in those conditions and breaking camp was the challenge.
I love this coming season of cold weather. My tent is a 4season mountaineering that only sees winter use and my sleeping system changes, but much of my clothing is pretty much the same while on the move. Thermals, soft and hard shells go on and off depending on conditions, but down and Primloft comes out once I stop moving and am at camp.
 
I don't ditch the hammock on cold trips.it just means more layers and my arctic sleeping bag and a sleeping pad in my hammock.Or I go in a group and we all stay in the same tent with a deep bough base and covered roof.this year we're thinking about an overnight snowshoe trip.That will be a first for us.
 
Jury is out for me on cold trips. I took one in March and one a week or so ago and not long after I returned I got sick. Had my 20 degree bag never really felt cold maybe I need to lug out the 0 degree or maybe it was just coincidence?
 
j williams said:
Or are you a wuss who stays in a cabin or indoors when the weather gets cold?;)
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I'm a wuss:o

I'll get out on a dayhike and stuff, its cool to see all the tracks that animals leave, but I am going home when done.:D

Now if you want to have a get together in the winter, count me in. Florida is very nice :cool:
 
so far, partly due to inadequate gear and partly due to my fear, i have staying in at night during the winter.

i'm hoping this winter to get a good sleeping bag and some nice synthetic cold weather layers so that i will be able to go for some overnighters in the cold and snow. in particular i'm thinking the winter campout up at marty simon's place...i can only imagine it up there with a few guys around a campfire in the snow with all the naked birches all around, the milky way all spilled out over the sky...
 
Winter overnights, you bet. I just bring my portable heater :thumbup: :D

_DSC1474sm.jpg
 
I like camping in the cold, but this time of year can be tricky. I don't mind the cold and I don't mind getting wet, but I HATE being cold and wet at the same time. A freezing rain can get uncomfortable real fast, even with wool and synthetics galore. I'd rather wait until it was consistently in the 20s before hitting the woods.
 
rocketbomb said:
in weather that is just silly
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Funny, that reminded me of a story...
In 88-89, I was (road) cycling competitively and moved to Banff to train in the mountains. Because it's such a tourist hotspot, the roads are pretty well looked after so with a set of cyclocross tires you could keep riding (beats spinning indoors anyday)

Anyway, on a sunny winter day I jumped on the bike for about 50km ride on a loop I used to love. By the time I was about a third of the way up, the weather had socked in and it started to snow. It was out of nowhere, like you can only get in the mountains. Most would have turned around but with the exuberance and immortality of youth I grinned and kept pushing on. Then the headwind started...

I was going down a gentle but noticeable grade (~5% maybe) into a long lefter and I was out of the saddle, working hard. This was going DOWNhill. I get to the bend doing maybe 15 or 20 km/h, lost it, and the bike and I plopped into the snowbank. I had to lay back in the snow and laugh at the absurdity of what I was doing - I think it's the only time I've laughed out loud when I've been alone.

Now I live on the coast where winter isn't a big deal (it's about 12degC and sunny right now). The moisture makes it feel colder and you need a bigger pack to carry the extra insulation, but otherwise it's not a big deal. I do miss ski-touring though :(
 
I agree with the poster that said the getting up is the worst part when it's cold. Crawling out of the tent when it's 20* and snowing and trying to make breakfast with board-stiff hands just isn't all that fun.
 
I love winter camping. we have a blast. my pack just takes on about another 4-5 pounds of warm clothes, base layers and a jacket.
itsnowed.jpg
 
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