Quote: Originally posted by jobi1canobi on 30/4/2007
Hmm - I knew it would be cold at night but being a newbie - I'd got it into my head that tarp under tent; tent ground sheet; foam mat, inflatable mat, 4-seasons sleeping bag and pj's would be enough. Never considered the use of blankets, hats and hooded fleeces. Thanks for that. Will make use of the tip.
When all said and done - I'm more than likely to kip in my clothes anyway - I'm not relishing the idea of getting my kit off and getting cold before I get different kit on!
Jobi1 & Jybs
i always use joggers and a warm top as my camping pj's, i put them on earlyish (before it gets dark and too cold) no one knows they are my pj's and they are warmer than ordinary pj's... and you dont feel daft dashing to the loo first thing in the morning wearing em either
Thing that puts me off hot water bottles is waking up half way thru the night cause they have gone cold!! You'd have to unzip and let all the heat out to get rid of the bottle!!
Any suggestions to avoid this gratefully received.
I think it definitely depends on the individual. I've never camped with more than a ready bed (about half the thickness of a sleeping bag) and a sleeping bag/ duvet over the top although I do wear PJs. It's also a double ready bed so there is probably an element of shared warmth. But then I regularly wake up too hot at night, even at this time of year, hence the ready bed as I can't cope with a sleeping bag in summer. Some people are just cold people, others are hot people.
If you have GOOD sleeping bags and an insulated mat then you will be okay. HOWEVER, I emphasise the GOOD not cheapie jobs. Do remember when you choose a bag, there are two numbers for suitibility in cold.. the comfort rating and the minimum(survival one). You go on the comfort one and maybe add 5 degrees... Ie if a bag says it's comfort range is down to 5 degrees.. you trust it down to about 10 degrees then you start packing thermals.
There is nothing more miserable then being cold.... done it many times in my youth particulary and it is not to be recommended.
guys one bit of crucial advice, even if you have EHU do not rely on it for heat as if the site's leccy trips you are in deep or if your own breaker trips you could have a nice dark walk to the panel to reset it.it is a bonus
my method as tried and tested in minus 4 is, roll mat, self inflating mat, 3 season gelert bag, fleecy blanket, clothing wise dont do as I did and change into my fleecy tracky bottoms as they were cold and i lost a lot of warmth, if you are wearing jeans sleep in them, also long sleeved polo shirt, fleece and hat. also have a couple of extra layers handy (blankets or clothes). you can take off layers if you are warm.
also try and minimise beer intake as you will need more loo runs during a cold night anyway, drink whisky or vodka instead better still is a hot drink before going to sleep
Of course you are going to be colder if you're camping up in the Highlands than the south coast, so many of the tips essential for us Northern campers probably overkill in devon or thereabouts.
Is it worth getting another tarpaulin for under the tent aswell then? I've invested in 3 season bags for us all, and we have the self inflating mats which I was planning to put blankets under and over, and thermals and fleeces are all being packed.
This is our first trip, and we will not have a heater of any kind. I camped as a child (including somewhere on snowdon in hideous weather) and have no recollection of being cold - just wet!!! But having said that I do like to be warm! Thanks for the tips.
Personally I could camp without electric heaters and stuff but it isn't fair on the kids. I don't ask them to come camping, they go where I go... I'm the parent.
So it's only fair I make it as comfortable for them as possible.
They're not going to learn any amazing life enhancing lessons by being cold on a weekend away, are they?
If I were into all that, I'd have them foraging for food in the bushes, picking berries for their tea, the odd woodlouse for breakfast, rubbing sticks together to keep warm etc.
Actually I might.
No I shouldn't.
I might though.
No.
I can't.
Well maybe. We'll see.
------------- Tom & Gill
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If I were into all that, I'd have them foraging for food in the bushes, picking berries for their tea, the odd woodlouse for breakfast, rubbing sticks together to keep warm etc.
You're right . Any fool can be uncomfortable. The secret to camping is doing whatever makes you at home with the elements. We all have our own personal choices and solutions.
------------- I wouldn't join a club that would have me as a member!
Jeez, guess us country folk can handle it a lot better than townies or something ^^ The amount of times Ive slept in a hedge on the road from Uttoxeter to Rocester because I was to drunk/lazy to walk home hehe
Mind you I am going up to Cauldon this weekend, if its cold anywhere Its going to be awfull up there!
Nothing a good bottle of malt wont sort out Im sure :) So I guess if its too cold for you, just get blind drunk then you wont care!
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or if your own breaker trips you could have a nice dark walk to the panel to reset it.it is a bonus
better still is a hot drink before going to sleep 
