Cold Camping Winter camping

wvstuck

wvstuck

Only worry about what you can control!
I’m headed out this morning for some winter tent camping (4 days) I have my loaded 35 pound pack with everything I need. The weather will range between warm sun and snow by Saturday. I’m shooting YouTube videos on budget camp gear with a focus on 4 season or winter gear.

I’m tired of all the Instagram influencers and YouTubers pushing the trendy high priced stuff and saying cheaper gear won’t work, I’m about to prove them all wrong, I’ll put my 4 season 2 man $80 tent up against thier $1500 1 man tents all day long.

I will say having my own freeze drier makes eating great meals on the trail much more affordable and enjoyable.

Torrential rains this morning, but I’m fearless. I need a break and Monongahela National Forest should do the trick
 
wvstuck

wvstuck

Only worry about what you can control!
I’m home, one day, not even the whole night. This is a true story.

I got to my spot at 9am this morning, heavy rain when I left the house. I get there just as an ice storm is hitting, so I got the drone out, great videos, then the torrential rain started, I hiked around and in just a could hundred yards I walked in both grass and ankle deep snow, a few feet of elevation make a difference.

Then… the sun came out and the temp shot up to near 60 degrees, I got the drone out again. A couple hours pass and I could see my breath again. I gave up and went to bed, all snuggled in my zero down bag, it started raining again, then, I hear thunder in the distance, odd for February in the mountains. I try to go back to sleep, the rain gets really heavy, I get up and trench around the tent and tarp, just as I’m finishing that. BOOM.

The thunderstorm really intensifies and lightning is striking trees on the ridge opposite of me, the thunder is deafening, I’m thinking about packing up and leaving but the rain is so heavy.

Just about that time before I finish my thoughts the wind kicks up to 50+ mph, tree limbs are crashing all around me, then they start falling on the tarp over my head. But wait, then entire trees start falling in the forest around me.. wide eyed and unsure about moving, a lull hits.. time lapse video of me knocking down camp and just throwing everything haphazardly into the truck,.. reverse, then drive and off the mountain I go. The creeks are about to cross the road all the way home.

I’m going to bed, it’s now 2am and I literally saw every bit of weather possible today, but from a tent. I’m disappointed that the trip was cut short, but I’m safe and alive. I’ll just have to ride another day!
 
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Old Gray Mare

TB Fanatic
Budget winter camping gear? Got a story for you. I was helping build a cabin with the PATC in VA and we ran out of fall. My rectangular summer bag couldn't cut it for winter camping even in a primitive cabin. One long cold miserable night convinced me to do something about it but funds were an issue so I had to get creative. I complained to my neighbor over coffee and her husband volunteered an old down bag he had. There wasn't much left of it, patched and leaking feathers. Stuffed inside the summer bag it kept me warm and comfy until I could afford a decent winter bag.

Note. Used to go camping in Monongahela National Forest. F-16's(?) would practice low level flying up and down the valleys in the park.
 
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Dumb Blonde

Contributing Member
I've camped out at motorcycle rallies in the middle of winter. Even in Qld, it gets down below 0°. I acquired my gear in op shops and garage sales. Layers are the key. From outside in: bivvy attached to the bike and down to 1 metre poles and then to the ground. Swag with a self inflating mattress. Yoga mat on-top of the mattress. Summer weight sleeping bag with a 2nd hand down bag of dubious heritage inside it. Sheepskin, fleece up inside that. I slept quite comfortably in a tee shirt.
 
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