If it was me, I'd want a canvas tent which was as small as possible (for ease of keeping it warm) plus big enough for me to be comfortable and enjoy spending time inside. I'd also want to be able to do at least some basic cooking inside - bobbing in and out to a kitchen tent could be a pain and any sort of outdoors cooking would be even worse I think as the food would be chilled by the cold air as fast as the heat source was trying to warm it.
An interesting project to think about. I have camped in April and Sept/early Oct when the weather was very fine by day but freeeezing at night, which was fine. With the right kit and the right campsite I think I could do cold but short days, wet, mud - I'm not so sure. Although I might give it a go if my favourite campsite woul donly stay open beyond the end of September
Montreal has no separate kitchen, but is highly likely i will cook in the main tent (not faffing with kitchen tent in winter)
The tent situation is under review at the moment...(maybe a couple to sell and one to buy...)
i am looking at going away in the winter months, but without EHU!!!
Val i would suggest that you invest in a woodburner for the belltent!!
i am hoping that it will suffice as cooking and heating, will keep it shut down at night so should stay snug.
having recently done a bit of a stock take and realised that ihave over 25 'camping' blankets, i dont think that layers will be an issue for us!! feather duvets are better then the polyester variety, for under and over!! if you have any eiderdowns, they are fab to put over a 2/3 season sleeping bag. if you can invest in a feather filled sleeping bag, even better, (but personally i dont like the restriction of a sleeping bag!)
i am sure that in a few months time i will be asking very similar questions!
------------- tina xx
mum to 5 kids
DD-20
DS-16
DD-14
DD-9
DS-3 and a half!
and a large, daft, black dog!!
Quote: Originally posted by tinallkn4 on 18/7/2010
i am looking at going away in the winter months, but without EHU!!!
Val i would suggest that you invest in a woodburner for the belltent!!
i am hoping that it will suffice as cooking and heating, will keep it shut down at night so should stay snug.
having recently done a bit of a stock take and realised that ihave over 25 'camping' blankets, i dont think that layers will be an issue for us!! feather duvets are better then the polyester variety, for under and over!! if you have any eiderdowns, they are fab to put over a 2/3 season sleeping bag. if you can invest in a feather filled sleeping bag, even better, (but personally i dont like the restriction of a sleeping bag!)
i am sure that in a few months time i will be asking very similar questions!
I have thought over the woodburner option for the bell tent (a lot!) and may still get one, but I still don't think it will be the best option in the really cold weather
The pipsqueak stoves are about 2.5kw output and the larger woodburners that are still portable are about 4kw. Bearing in mind I have ehu, i can replicate this heat with fan heater/radiator. In April when i camped i had about 3kw of heat blasting but it was still pretty cold at night, and if I want to go in more extreme weather, I don't think the bell tent is going to be the best option
I would also worry about running the stove all through the night, the tent will soon chill with no heat
I have tonnes of blankets, throws, sleeping bag etc so bedding isn't really a worry (my nose gets cold in bed and that it)
Love the bell tent for the spring/summer weekends but realistically thinking a smaller canvas one pole option will be better for the colder weather
Will wait for your verdict first with the bell tent, and let you test it!
Winter camping is fantastic - as long as you are well prepared. As many have already said, sites are really quiet so you have choice of pitch. Also facilities hardly used - we we went in february with Andy & gang we had the facilities to ourselves and we were close - nearly as good as en suite - and me being the only female - well, choice of showers each morning!!
Take lots of bedding - plenty for under the airbed (if you have self inflating mats they are far warmer). Layers of clothes - lots of thin layers are better than a couple of thick layers. Hot water bottle, hat & gloves for in bed keep you cosy. Plenty of good lighting and books, magazines etc as the evenings are really long. Plan warming food, one pot casseroles, rice & curry etc. Hot drink before bed and get your PJ's on early - then you'll feel warm getting into bed.
Propane as mentioned by others - or alternative means of cooking. A small canvas tent is much easier to keep warm and is very snug. Oversized groundsheet lapped up the sides if you haven't got a sig to make an effective seal from draughts and definitely a carpet and rugs in the bedroom pod.
Waking up to snow outside is great!!
------------- Anne - mad mum to one - foster mum to many - adoptatent to you guys!
With regard to froz noz. I have posted this before, I have a very lightweight fleece, that I clip to the bag or bed about half way up, then I pull it completely over my head. You won't really be aware of it, and it breathes, not like having your head under the sheets. The inside remains dry and warm, although the outside can be very damp in the morning. I also wear a Balaclava to stop heat escaping from where my brain should be. Also also, no EHU that's for softies.
------------- Canvas tent, paraffin light, petrol stove. Heaven
I'd rather be kayaking.
Spent up, not pent up, just had my new tent up.
Quote: Originally posted by valbarley on 18/7/2010
I've got 2 ehu leads, if campsite is that quiet could snaffle the next ehu if no ones there!
Psssssssst! That's what I did when I was at Cofton over the New Year weekend!
I batch-cook a lot in the cooler months, curries, chilli, spag bog sauce, soups etc., and portion them in tubs to keep in the freezer. I would take one out to thaw, add some pre-cooked starch like rice, cous cous or pasta, and take to work to heat up in the microwave, along with a small tub of veg.
I would raid the freezer for food for camping over winter rather than to cook from scratch, just need to cook some starch and stir-fry some veg and I am done.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
it's a few years since I did winter camping but waking up on a deserted snowy campsite in the Lake Distict (or anywhere with dramatic scenery) is magical. If you arrive at night it comes as an even better surprise
Then to do some fab walks with the ground frozen solid (so not muddy) and hardly see a soul is grand
Not anti social at all, but you simply cannot beat the peace and quiet of winter camping to restore and refresh
My top tips;
Be clear why you want to be there and what your contingencies are - if things get unpleasant you can remind yourself. Enjoy, unless you like ordeals
If car camping, take more sleeping gear and socks than you think you need. Wellies on site, waterproof walking boots, tent socks for the tent are a good idea too
Silk PJs, thermals, sleeping bag liners & Down coats are worth the money, especially if back packing
If backpacking make sure you plan carefully and know where the barns are (maybe put them in your GPS)
Go when it is cold enough to freeze ground, no mud
Keep some clothes for the morning in the bottom of the sleeping bag
Spare batteries/torches as these are critial items. And at least one decent head torch per person
Pick a site with a drying room as you will never get your gear dry in the tent
Pick a site with somewhere nice and warm to go in the evenings (walk to if poss) - Great Langdale would be my choice
Drink Whisky not beer unless you have a cast iron bladder
Car campiing, think about cheap foam mats for the tent floor - end of season roll up ones or Decathlon jigsaw edges ones work well at making the tent a much nicer place to be
Think about a tent with windows - you can see the weather/world and some people find it feels less claustrophobic
Take the right pegs, rock pegs if you know it is firm/frozen, good sized ripple pegs if it is softer (site can often advise)
Canvas is a must (I think) if you want to avoid frozen condensation in the morning
got me all nostalgiac now. If I manage to get a smallish Canvas ridge later this year hopefully will get to do this again myself very soon. Mind you Langdale prices seem have rocketed (if I read the very complex costings correctly) since I was last there !
Langdales ace for newyear and hookhouse farm robinhoods bay (soulpad tipi photos ) Feb this year wood burning stove -6 outside +20 in . Apart from a few caravans we were the only tent bliss
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Winter camping...
- and me being the only female - well, choice of showers each morning!!
