Winter trip coming up...need some help from those in the know

[CKE2]

Hey folks!

Well after almost 29 years in the Great White North I am venturing out of my comfort range and going on a winter camp out. I think one night, but if I can make it "comfortable" two nights would be pretty cool. Ice fishing is the main reason, some trout have mine and my buddies names on them

Here is the deal, sleep wise, I need some help. First I am alergic to down...major bummer. So synthetic is my option. I have a really good 0 degree bag but I need to add to that or upgrade to a higher end mummy bag. Weight is not a problem as we will be using toboggans to pull our gear in(I'm not carrying the ice auger) along with packs. I am thinking adding some fleece or wool blankets to my bag and using an army poncho to go around the works. Obviously pine boughs for ground cover and sleeping pads..etc.
I "could" take an alergy pill and use my fathers Woods 5 Star bag but damn, if I do have a reaction...the weekend is fubar with me not being able to breathe.

Any suggestions from those that have been winter camping would be greatly appreciated.

Just wanted to add, my tent is only a three season, we plan to build up snow around to help if there is a wind.

Thanks

Craig

P.S. if it is 40 below we will be cancelling. Hoping for -10 degrees C

 

[bladeNUT82]

First, I would suggest building up edges with snow or ice to make some walls around and lay a tarp over the ice first, every time i have been ice fishing there is always some water over the ice.

Second, If you don't want to or cant afford another sleeping bag, i would suggest getting 1 or 2 sleeping bag liners (in wool preferably). Although wool itches, it stays warm when wet, and it is cheaper than other synthetics.

Its obvious that you have to stay dry, I would go a little more than just sleeping in an army poncho for the night. Some painters tarp with duct tape seams makes a great bivy sack, just make sure you have enough ventilation or you will surely suffocate.

Just my 2 Cents

 

[Brian Jones]

Since you're possibly going to be wet, staying away from down is best anyway. When down gets wet, it collapses and loses almost all of its insulating qualities. I prefer fleece instead of wool, only because it dries faster, but either fleece or wool will keep you warm even if wet, albeit not as warm as when dry.

It sounds like you have it well planned. What about fire, etc?

Also, invest $15 in a space blanket (or two). They reflect a great deal of body heat back - I sometimes put it loosely over me in a tent as an additional "radiated heat catcher" or sub-tent and it works amazingly well.

 

[j_d]

we have a bit of tradition that involves camping out with my brothers and sometimes cousins between Christmas and new year. normally we build a leanto frame and throw a tarp over it. most of the guys only have inexpensive/not so great bags. to stay warm be scrap back any snow and sticks and lay down a tarp/plastic/vapor barrier and then break up a bale of straw or two. a blanket/open bag goes over this and then any foam mattresses that we have. our individual sleeping bags are next followed by one or two more open bags/blankets covering more than one person depending on how cold it is. we always have a fire with a reflector in front of the leanto and stay warm. i would also recomend wearing a hat. im not sure if your tobogans will allow you to take straw in but i have found it helpful. dont underestimate how much heat you can loose into the ground. we have been told we are crazy for doing this but it really is a good time. none of us are masochists and wouldnt do it if it were miserable. post pictures and have fun.
jd
ps. as a side note i would say the comradery and fun around the fire is double when its cold. its actually about the only time i enjoy breaking out the cast iron and cooking. those little cornish hens rock you gotta try em.

 

[CKE2]

Sorry I was a bit misleading in my first post, we will be staying on shore, not on the ice. I would never be able to sleep knowing the water was below me.
Tarp under the tent for sure and probably over it too, just to be on the safe side....my buddy and I have been in some pretty CRAPPY conditions over the years and I think as we get older, we are somewhat getting smarter
For fire/food probably a small one burner and maybe a 2 burner...depends on how much room we have. Grate for cooking over the fire too, nothing better than some elk steaks on the open fire.

Will post pics for sure, and what I end up doing for sleeping.

As it stands now, I am leaning towards poncho, fleece blanket, wool blanket, sleeping bag, therma-rest pad. Touque for sure:thumbup:

Thanks

Craig

P.S. I have a space blanket in my survival otter box so it is there if I need it.

 

[Suicycoprowler]

* Clean socks before you go to sleep is a must. Any perspiration trapped in your socks from during the day will freeze and make your feet cold. Clean long underwear is also recommended.

* Don't wear layer after layer after layer inside your sleeping bag. A good pair of clean wool socks (or synthetic substitute if necessary) and a good wool hat, coupled with a single layer of long underwear has kept me warm in below zero Fahrenheit weather, and I have never owned a mummy bag (I think my sleeping bag is rated to 35 degrees F). Your body is its own furnace and will keep itself warm if insulated from the outside, but wearing too much clothing inside your sleeping bag does not allow that furnace to get churning.

* Do not sleep on an air mattress of any kind, as the air in the mattress will be cold and thus make you cold. A foam mattress works well, if you can find one big enough. Absent that, a one inch layer of newspaper will also insulate. Hay or straw is probably ideal if you have it available.

* Disposable handwarmers are also useful. If you have a re-usable handwarmer, that works as well (I have the fuel stick warmer which can last up to 8 hours). I usually put one in a clean wool sock and hold onto it while I sleep. The sock allows the handwarmer to breath but also traps some of the heat.

Have fun. The worst part is in the morning when you want to get dressed and all of your clothes are freezing cold. I usually pull them inside my sleeping bag to warm them up before I get dressed.

 

[brians]

Supplement the Thermarest pad with a closed-cell pad underneath - blue foam or ridgerest. It will stop the heat loss underneath where the bag insulation is crushed.

Wear some fleece or wool base layer to bed, including a warm hat. You can also buy some synthetic booties for inside your bag to ensure your feet stay warm. You can even jam in some chemical warmers.

Eat a hearty meal before sleeping so that your body will generate plenty of digestion heat.

 

[k_estela]

Whenever possible, face your shelter away from the prevailing winds. If possible, face it East to catch the morning rays.

If you use a tarp, get something about 8'x10' or 10'x12'. Use a single ridge line or pole and pull the ends underneath you for a ground cloth. This will eliminate the need to build up snow walls around you.

Chemical handwarmers are a real gem in the cold weather. Put some in your sleeping bag to warm up your footbox and help you stay comfortable.

Baby wipes will help prevent sour ass smells. Use snow instead of toilet paper.

Put a scarf or neck gaiter on before you sleep. If you don't have either, use a rolled up fleece jacket under your neck to keep heat from escaping your bag.

Eat buttery or fatty foods before you sleep to help keep you warm.

Bring a cheap disposable textured pee bottle into your tent to prevent having to leave your tent or tarp in the middle of the night.

Put your boot liners in your bag with you to keep them warm at night.

To prevent rolling around, you can dig a small body width trench in the snow to "settle" in to.

 

[CKE2]

Thanks guys, some really good suggestions. Good point about the therma-rest...too bad I cut my closed cell foam pad for kydex sheath making, guess I have to go buy another one.

 

[North61]

1) Boil up some water and put it in your nalgene bottle (make sure the lid works). Drop the Nalgene bottle in a wool sock and use as a hot water bottle in your bag. Way more warmth than chemical heaters.

2) Take a set of dry wool clothes and big sweater and wear them to bed. Also puffy booties on your feet. I used a 0F degree bag this way down to -40F in Nunavut for 5 years before upgrading!

3) Zip up your big parka and slide it over the bottom of your bag for extra lower body warmth

4) Wear a wool hat..makes a big difference

5) Pee..when you need to, a pee bottle makes the act convenient enough to do and gives up a quart that your body doesn't need to warm up.

6) And/or buy an oversized Mummy as an over bag..The Sierra Designs Paul Bunyan is on sale at 89.95 from Sierra Trading Post. I like mine and it's synthetic.