What’s The Best Way To Make A Camping Experience In Below-freezing Weather Comfortable?

Posted on 03 April 2009

7 Comments For This Post

1. Rogue Angel says:
   April 3rd, 2009 at 3:24 pm

   man, you got some very primeval answers—build a lean-to?? lay nespapers and sticks under your tent??
   …i just camped up there columbus day weekend…if you’re worried about being warm, go to Dick’s Sporting Good’s (or any sporting goods store)…and get a fleece liner for your bag for $10…the feeling of fleece wrapped around you will keep you toasty all night…seriously when you’re tucked in it wont be bad, if anything you might get chilly when you’re hanging around at night–for that just wear a jacket and keep the fire going—you’ll be fine and have fun—its goiing to snow over the presidential range tonight–calling for a few inches at the highest elevation!! that reminds me, you might want mitts too

2. teacher says:
   April 3rd, 2009 at 3:24 pm

   In addition to wearing clothing that will insulate even when wet (wool or thinsulate, for example), make sure, absolutely, 100% sure, that you can light a fire or stove anytime you need it. When I hunt, I always carry a homemade “fire kit”: half a dozen strike-anywhere matches dipped in wax, a candle, a cigarette lighter, a wad of waxed paper, and several small sticks. I figure I can scrounge up the rest if I have to light a survival fire for warmth and signaling.
   EDIT TO DISAGREE (HALFWAY) WITH NEXT ANSWER:
   No booze in cold weather! That feeling of warmth is the heat leaving your body, and you will actually get hypothermia much faster.
   A good woman (or man), however, could help a lot, I suppose.

3. Baby Bed Rails says:
   April 3rd, 2009 at 3:24 pm

   1. Get a tent – having still air in the tent helps to retain any heat.
   2. Use a sleeping pad (not an air mattress). Not so much for comfort, but to insulate you from the ground.
   3. Stay dry – including sweating. Have clothes you can ventilate (unzip or take off).
   4. Dress in layers.
   5. No cotton – if cotton gets wet, it will lose all of its insulative value. Use synthetics instead.
   6. Wear a hat – most body heat is lost through the head. Wearing a hat helps to retain this heat.

4. Wayner says:
   April 3rd, 2009 at 3:24 pm

   take newspapers to insulate the ground under your bag, make a lean to and try to keep the back facing whatever wind chill that might be about. Wear cotton under wool gloves and socks all night anda knit sock cap as well (do I have to mention long johns or thinsulate under your clothes) ????

5. teacher says:
   April 3rd, 2009 at 3:24 pm

   Proper gear, cloths, tent & sleeping bag – plan on using propane for cooking and possibly heating as well, camp fires can be tough to make and smoky – good food.

6. Dave M says:
   April 3rd, 2009 at 3:24 pm

   hopefully you will have a tent…we always lined under the tent with hemlock branches…keep a good fire going …dress in layers…a good woman and some booze wouldnt hurt…
   edit…thats ok trish…i dont drink anymore anyway…

7. Dan the brick man says:
   April 3rd, 2009 at 3:24 pm

   a nice warm motor home with dual roof mounted heat pumps, gas furnace for backup, 7kWh genset, double pane windows.

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