As I clicked on "New Topic", I realised that it wasn't really a new topic.. as there's many people in exactly the same quandary. Do we camp or not?
We booked to go to stay at a site close to Disneyland Paris, one where we stayed last August. Last August it was far too hot for all of us, but as our holiday approaches, we're faced with the prospect of freezing temperatures this time around.
We've got to go, we've got a ferry crossing from Hull, that cost over £400.. but we have to decide whether we make a cheap week away, a much more expensive holiday.. and book a hotel at last minute.
Has anyone every camped in sub zero temperatures? We have thermals, and I'm planning on us all having electric blankets. We've got a fan heater, but we can only use on 1kW, as the EHU is 6amp... useless really. I'm thinking balaclavas, and quilts on top of sleeping bags. We've got four children, 10, 9, 2, and 1 years old.
I really thought we'd be out of frosty nights by next week, but looking at the forecast, there's nights down to minus 1C. Just last week they were predicting 16C!! Accuweather evidently not that accurate in long term forecasts.
We've got Disney passes, and it was meant to be a cheap week away like I say... but it's whether we can face a week living like amateur Eskimos!
We used to have a tradition of going to Edale the first snows of the year. The key thing is keep insulated from the ground, thermals inside sleeping bags are good if you haven't got 4 season bags and some kind of insulation between you and the sleeping mat is a must.
Good Thermal base layers and plenty of warm dry socks.
Don't be tempted to seal yourselves up in the tent either. In the cold ventlation is even more important than ever as condensation can make everything feel damp, which will in turn make it feel cold.
There are lots of threads on here re cold weather camping. Lots of us do it and enjoy it.
Have fun!
------------- Life is not about waiting for the clouds to pass, but learning to dance in the rain.
Would have thought you'd be fine with how you say can cope .. Your heater should take the chill off the tent even on a low setting .. Plenty of hats, gloves, scarves, thick socks, and duvets over and under sleeping bags. As you'll be running around the parks during the day you'll all probably sleep like babies in the clean fresh air . have a wonderful holiday .
My first sub-zero trip was over the New Year weekend in 2009/10:
I learnt a lot from that trip, and adjusted my gear list so that I can camp all year round.
Search on the forums for advice on cold weather trips, as there are plenty.
You already have EHU and a heater, even though it is only 1kW.
How about fuel for the stove? Butane and even propane/butane mix gas canisters can become ineffective at low temperatures. For that reason, I now use a liquid fuel stove that I can use all year round. Some people have advised keeping the gas canisters insulated in a cool box inside the tent, however, I don't fancy carry another cool box for that purpose alone.
What do you sleep on? Insulate well from the ground if using airbeds, electric under-blanket will definitely help, and I used one myself until the trusted airbed developed a leak. I now use a camp bed + SIM as it is more reliable and comfortable when compared with an airbed.
Wear a hat to preserve heat, especially in bed at night.
Layering is key for cold weather, so take spares in case they get wet.
Keep some water inside the tent overnight so that it does not take as long to make the first morning cuppa than having to melt the ice first.
Good luck, be prepared and you'll be fine!
I am preparing my trip over Easter as a winter trip myself to be on the safe side.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
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Thanks to you all for the messages, love the tent photo in the snow :-)
Thanks for the link to the forecast Tentz... we've been looking at Accuweather, and those temperatures on that French website are a significantly warmer! who do we believe? :-) I'd love to belief the French one. Accuweather is still showing negative values overnight.. bizarre.
I think we have to risk it, rather than spending a fortune on hotels, and see how it goes... if we go prepared, and I'll read up on camping in the cold. We've all got SIM's (went through too many airbeds in the past), and I think I'll invest in hats for us all before we go.
Thanks again, and let's hope the weather picks up for everyone's Easter break
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Camping With Overnight Frosts!!
