Just makeing up a list of gear and makeing sure i have everything, wondering what you folks take as minimum winter camping equipment (for 3days?) do you vary what your takeing of you expecit it to rain or not? expecting temps near the 0°c's maybe preety windy +cause its the uk so it'll most likely feel closer to 23F or so (humidity is 83% today) Any thing really usefull that i'd be likely to have left off? or something you guys reccomend useing/doing/takeing?
Take the warmest sleeping bag you can afford, have a look at the Mountain Equipment Snowline or Frostline, it's not cheap but it's very warm. Take thermal underwear and clean, dry woollen socks. Put the socks on when you go to bed. Also wear a woollen hat in bed, it'll help keep the heat in your body. If you feel cold, make a warm drink, not coffee as this will make you pee, have an instant hot chocolate of something. And if you start to shiver, do some gentle (don't sweat) exercise, put on some more clothes. Hope this helps Mark
Staying hydrated while you sleep is very important to staying warm. Make sure you drink something before turning in. You could also take along a young nymphomaniac who'll keep you either warm or too occupied to care. Buy the best gear you can afford, then learn how to use it. Backpacker Magazine might have some info on their site, and at the very least might give you some tips if you contact them directly. It's a U.S. publication, but you might be able to find it across the pond.
Long underwear, something that wicks moisture away from your body. A good sleeping pad that will insulate you from the ground. If you're still allowed to start fires over there, carry something that will start wet wood on fire (magnesium works well).
I couldn't convince her that sitting about talking shite in the dark in the middle of nowhere with a load of other weirdos was a good way to spend the weekend.. i dunno wommen.. good point on the hydration thing, i do take a big water carryer but dont take anything to drink out of :huh so better sort that.. Looking into the long john things, seem very pricey.. i have a 1" thich pad that was pipe insulation for factorys so it shold do the trick i'm hopeing.. i'm debateing useing an air bed underneeth that for comfort.. The git of finding the site was finding one that allows fires, which this one does, i'll try finding some magic tinder stuff, i can imagine nobody will think of that till "oh bugger, we can't get this fire going!" Thanks for the replys up to now Provided it dosn't rain bady this should be a cool weekend
Here's my checklist and tips I've put together over the past couple years of winter hiking in New England. Probably way overkill, but a good starting point. I've never brought all the following gear on a single trip -- not sure I'd be able to walk. Have fun! Oh, and be careful with rain. 1 deg C and raining is far more dangerous than -10 C and dry, as far as hypothermia goes. HTML: Clothing: Survival gear: ____ Quick-dry shirt ____ Knife with saw, scissors ____ Fleece (if needed) ____ Compass ____ Rain jacket / windbreaker ____ Tearproof, waterproof map ____ Quick-dry pants ____ Whistle ____ Non-cotton underwear ____ Watch (not cellphone clock!) ____ Hiking socks (x2) ____ Wallet, extra cash ____ Lining socks (x2) ____ Emergency firestarter kit ____ Broken-in hiking boots ____ Sun glasses Routine medical items: Camping gear: ____ Insect repellant (DEET) ____ Ibuprofen (NOT Tylenol!) ____ Backpack ____ Sunscreen, if needed ____ Tent and fly ____ Vaseline or other lubricant ____ Footprint ____ Toothbrush, toothpaste ____ Sleeping bag ____ Floss (always wise) ____ Sleeping bag liner (if needed) ____ Chapstick ____ Sleeping pad ____ Antihistamines ____ Headlamp ____ Asthma inhaler ____ Other medicine ____ Contact case and cleaner Bag of bags: ____ Extra contacts ____ Feminine hygene items ____ Extra ziplock bags ____ Litter bags ____ Big, tough garbage bags First aid bag: ____ Duct tape ____ Sewing kit ____ Bandaids of many shapes and sizes ____ Extra batteries ____ Antibacterial lotion ____ 50 ft of rope ____ Tweezers ____ Scissors ____ Contact cleaner and case Toilet kit: ____ Adhesive tape ____ ACE bandage ____ Hankerchief ____ Moleskin ____ Spade ____ Safety pins ____ Paper bags ____ Handiwipes / disinfectant cream ____ Toilet paper (bring plenty!) Food-related: ____ Water bottles (at least 2L/person) Optional: ____ Water purifier ____ Spoon, fork ____ Camera, extra battery ____ Bowl, cup ____ Playing cards ____ Stove ____ Books ____ Fuel ____ Star chart ____ Matches ____ Pen, paper ____ Cooking utensils ____ Pots ____ Cleaning scraper Cold-weather camping: ____ Camp soap ____ Breathable parka ____ Liner gloves (x2) Food basics & ideas: ____ Serious outer gloves (Dry food only, unless in the desert!) ____ Clips to attach gloves to coat ____ Non-cotton long underwear ____ Gatoraid powder ____ Hats (x2) ____ Bars ____ Lightweight snow pants ____ Jerkey ____ Goggles ____ Cereal mix ____ Balaclava ____ Trail mix ____ Chemical heat packs ____ Hard cheese ____ Gaiters ____ Hot chocolate, powdered milk mix ____ Crampons ____ Oatmeal packets ____ Mouse boots ____ Dried fruit ____ Snow shoes ____ Instant rice ____ Ice axe(s) ____ Boil & eat Indian meals from TJ's ____ Thermometer (for yucks) ____ Couscous & dehydrated veggies Winter tips: * Keep your water purifier close to your body. Otherwise water droplets in the filter could freeze and break it. * Hike with water bottles upside-down so they don't freeze around the opening. * Keep water bottles in your bag at night. * Make sure your sleeping pad is closed-cell. Open-cell pads aren't nearly as insulating from the ground. * Use sealed chemical heat packs rather than ones that require air and are toxic. You can use the sealed packs to melt snow should finding water be problematic. (Unfortunately, the toxic packs are far more common.) * Store batteries and your headlamp in your coat to maximize their life. * Plan on eating 3000 - 4000 calories per day. Fat is your friend. * Constantly adjust the number of layers so you're always on the cool side. If you soak your inner layer with sweat, you've got a major problem. Wicking fabrics are nice and all, but they aren't going to do crap when you've got four layers on. * Powerbars freeze. Bring bars that are grain or granola-based. </pre>
Thanks for that above, really helpfull! Ahh yes, funny you should mention it but a mate has bult some PWM controllers (since i can't get one of the major components ANYWHERE) and is bringing me a couple down! so i'll be able to get on with it! The current plan is to heat my bar mufs, i'm considering makeing a second version modeled off the first, something a bit more airtight and comeing over the lower arms a bit more.. there not far off now, there a heck of allot more comfy.. if this goes well i'll try something a bit more adventureous like heated underpants or something! Thanks again
Also, keep some hard candy at hand and eat one or two before going to bed. The quick calories will help to keep you warm.
I was camping about 20 degrees. Tired as hell. When jumping in my -15 mummy bag I stuck my head inside to warm up. Fell asleep (before taking head out):eek1 . Wake up shaking like the end was near soak and wet. It was damm near dieing. Case of being tired to long.
Before hitting the sack,heat your water and and seal it in a Nalgean bottle and put it by your feet in the sleepng bag. That will keep your feet toasty all night. Cold weather camping isn't bad if you dress right and stay dry. Have fun.
Managed to get a silk bag liner for £15 quite chuffed! (well under half whats being sold in the shops) Going to get some bits and bobs tomorrow hopefully and anything else i can order!
MarkN, I was in Weymouth on the last Saturday of the Xmas holiday. Had some loveley fishcake & chips from the red fronted chippie on the corner, on the sea front. Then went to the lighthouse at Portland Bill, started raining then. Near home I went through water that my following mate later said was about 6" deep or more at about 60:eek1 Now cured my fear of water. I'm on the UKGS site, under the same name.
A few suggestions: Polly pro or similar wicking underware (Turtle neck) One set to wear during the day and another to sleep in. do not sleep in the same undies you wear during the day..... Get a good bag. My suggestion is to check out Wiggy's.com His stuff is the best. have a good sleeping pad. Make sure your tent vents well. Getting wet from the inside is no fun at all. Take a "pee bottle" with you. A Nelgene (large opening, secure closure) It will keep you from getting out of your warm bag to go "find a tree" in the middle of the night to offload the water you drank to stay hydrated. Wear a head sock to keep your head warm . Stocking caps etc. keep falling off all night long. Don't cover your mouth however as it will frost up. (Balacalava SP?) Put on dry socks before you go to sleep. A candle lantern will give you good light and provides some heat, and is somewhat safe to use inside your tent. Don't fall asleep with it lit. Enjoy!
I ride with an expedition style gor-tex down coat and a gor-tex down bibbed overalls under the coat. When not in use I keep it in a dry stuff bag. The suit ran me about $600 from REI, 15 years ago. It looks a bit overkill while riding but during a recent (Jan '07) 1200 mile trip from North Carolina to Maine on my F650GSD, I wasn't cold at all. (Well, maybe my hands & feet a little). The suit is as good as a sleeping bag, but I carry one of those too. I carry down because of its compressibility and weight. Of course down requires that you keep it dry in order for it to work. (I would be careful using "REI" for "extreme" survival stuff, the quality stiching/fabric and QA is just not there. (I Learned the hard way.)
