This being Sunday 30 Jan, I realised if I am to spend a night under canvas in January it's now or never. To be honest, I've been getting camping withdrawal symptons - I crave a night in my tent.
I've also been waiting for a cold but dry night to test out some gear and prove an idea or two. I also want to try out various lighting.
In recent posts here on UKCS, I've extolled the practicality of winter camping without mains electricity (EHU) or other heating inside the tent. I've also maintained that it's not necessary to buy expensive and/or specialised cold weather camping gear to manage without EHU at temperatures around freezing. Tonight I'm going to put my money where my mouth is
Tonight looks ideal: clear(ish) skies, high pressure (and rising), no rain forecast, and the temperature hovering just below freezing at 7pm this evening according to the local Met Office station (but -1C according to my garden thermometer). A couple of degrees of frost are forecast by early morning on Monday (31 Jan).
So here's the set-up for my 'low budget cold camp' test tonight.
I've pitched my elderly lightweight 'cheap-as-chips' three-berth dome tent in my back garden. It isn't a particularly warm tent; double skinned but relatively thin polyester, especially the inner. The main thing is it was a very cheap end-of-season bargain from Sainsbury.
The SIG is directly on the grass (no footprint under) and has no carpet on top. The first insulation under the bedding is a single layer of corrugated card (an opened-out cardbox box). On top of this card layer are two inexpensive SIMs, one atop the other. They are wrapped up together inside a (one-season) cheap sleeping bag (cost me £2 I think).
One SIM is an Outwell full length, the other is a Eurohike three-quarter length 'shortie'. Both are 45mm thick (expanded) and both cost under £25 at full price (though I got them a good deal cheaper, one shop-soiled, one in a sale).
The bedding itself is simply two summer-weight envelope sleeping bags, one inside the other. These are not as insubstantial as some budget summer bags - in fact, they are of quite decent weight - but they were dead cheap in a 'tent-pack' deal from Sainsbury. There is also a blanket if needed. I also have two flock-filled small cushions as pillows.
A third sleeping bag is on standby in the tent - this one is a somewhat more expensive three-season mummy so I will only use it if really necessary to avoid undermining the 'affordable' element of the test.
For sleeping attire I intend to experiment with layers - I shall see how little I can wear without feeling cold. To keep warm, I pay attention to the extremities so I shall keep my (very warm) walking socks on all night and, if my head feels chilly, wear my light 'Thinsulate' hat.
For my base layer, I'll wear a long-sleeved thermal top and companion leggings ('long johns') - this 'suit' is my normal base layer when camping or walking in colder weather. If that is insufficient to keep me warm, I'll put my fleece back on and, possibly, put my trousers back on too. My shirt, fleece and trousers will be kept inside my sleeping bag anyway so that they are warm in the morning.
Obviously if I start to get too warm in bed, I can shed layers progressively to avoid sweating because that leads to damp clothes - and damp clothes chill you very quickly.
I have to be up by 7am so I'll be getting out of bed at the coldest time of the night according to the forecast. That should prove the practicality of the experiment.
I'll add to this thread tomorrow morning to let you know how it went.
Quote: Originally posted by mrneillees on 30/1/2011We had a great weekend and would happily camp in jan. The only element that scares me is wind! And I don't mean my own! Lol Have an enjoyable night
Thanks Mrneillees. I enjoyed seeing your photos - looks like you had a good time.
Good on ya scep enjoy your night under canvas (well.... Polyester)
I totally agree with the layering method, thats exactly what we do with bedding and clothing and it works a treat for us..... I reckon you might even lose a layer TBH...
I'm a fan of opened out cardboard boxes Skep. I let my parents use some of my camping gear and a spare tent last summer. Seeing as they were on two double height airbeds I didn't think they'd need a roll mat underneath, and anyway my kids were using them so the mats weren't available. After they had a chilly first night I headed to the local shop and asked for two large cardboard boxes. Opened up they were perfect for under the airbeds. My Dad was raving about it for months afterwards!
Rather you than me - I'm too much of a wimp to camp out just yet! I feel quite cold and I'm sitting in front of my lovely log burning stove and my thermometer is reading 20'C!!
Good on you SC! Keep warm and can't wait for your next instalment. We too camp without EHU but not brave enough this time of year but seriously itching to go off somewhere very soon.
I look forward to hearing about the results of your experiment as keeping warm is my greatest camping concern (and that's in summer!)
Yesterday I was trying to do some research into base layers and thermals as I knew someone had mentioned them not so long ago, but couldn't find posts. This was while sitting in a centrally heated house shivering in my coat, simply because I'd been out for a fairly gently walk in the afternoon and had chilled down when I got back. (Hopeless, I am!!)
Great experiment Scep! Looking forward to tomorrow's installment.
Yes, layering is the way to go - I reckon with that lot you'll be roasting!! I always have a thin fleece blanket next to me when I camp in colder weather - if it gets really cold I pull it over my head - It's amazing how quickly you then warm up.
Enjoy! I envy you!
------------- Anne - mad mum to one - foster mum to many - adoptatent to you guys!
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Topic: Budget cold camping test
enjoy your night under canvas (well.... Polyester)
