Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Camping Equipment and all Clothing
Cold weather camping Cold weather camping
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Camping Equipment and all Clothing Tents, sleeping bags, stoves etc. Riding clothing, boots, helmets, what to wear when not riding, etc.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia




Reply
Page 3 of 3 12 3
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #31  
Old 9 Oct 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 521
Strange. That's my experience too...
Reply With Quote
  #32  
Old 9 Oct 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldbmw View Post
If camping at the same spot for a few days or more, enough green biomass will start to compost and keep you warm. ( six inches thick or more, you cant have too much) In Mons (Belgium) last year, I found a campsite that had put all their grass cuttings in a big heap. by placing my tent over it, the temperature inside teh tent was over 20C with frost outside. My tent is a cheap dome type that i can pick up and position by lifting it by the top.
Last time I tried something like that I spent the night listening to the rats running around outside the tent. I've tended to stay away from rubbish heaps since.
Reply With Quote
  #33  
Old 9 Oct 2008
sebjones906's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: So.Cal.
Posts: 30
May I suggest a book by Dave Barr. He road across Siberia on a Sportster in winter.
__________________
Sam Jones
Reply With Quote
  #34  
Old 17 Oct 2008
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: England
Posts: 277
Quote:
I was always taught that to sleep well at night in cold weather you had to strip off everything that you wore during the day (then find a Norwegian Princess) and put on dry clothing (that should keep you hot). The sweat that finds its way into your clothes during the day makes it colder if you leave even a slightly damp shirt on. I've been laughed at on a few occasions in cold weather as I pranced around naked in 1/2" cold weather - only to have a loyal following the next night.
I fully agree with you on that one. It makes a world of difference if you can pull some warm, dry thermals/pj's/silken shag*ing gown on.

As an addition to that tip. If before bed, you strip down to your minimum clothing, then run as fast as you can to the nearest tree and back, and then get into the warm dry stuff, then jump in your bag, you feel so much toastier.

Any people nearby will think you are a complete loon, and it takes some mustering to do it in really cold weather, but the increased circulation really gets your sleeping bag throbbing with heat.

As an aside to that - if the nearest tree happens to be more than a hundred metres away or so, you probably want to find something closer so you don't work up a sweat and then ruin all the hard work.

Mmm, the comforting morale giving properties of cuddling a warm bottle of man pi*s to sleep should never be underestimated.

Joel
Reply With Quote
  #35  
Old 28 Oct 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 208
Quote:
Originally Posted by indu View Post
Bloody h*** Matt - If I didn't know better I'd say you were Norwegian! ;-)

Anyway - this is next month. That's September. Say October for good measure. You seem to have all the gear you need. Up north you may encounter some snow, but the temp isn't going to be too bad in the coastal area. Inland it may creep further down to well below zero especially at night, but you'll probably not experience anything like -20 C. That's reserved for the coldest depths of January/February, usually.

BTW: The best camping tent by far in cold weather: The Lavvo, into which you can make a fire if you need to. Here's my favourite winter lavvo, the Helsport Varanger ("best in test"). Oh, and while in the north, buy yourself a couple of reindeer skins to use as carpets in your tent. You'll never worry about the cold ground ever again.

Hi Indu - I want to come to Norway one day and visit that plateau around Telemark one day, perhaps do one of the army winter survival courses if possible. I admire so much about Norway except for your low speed limits! (and expensive ) but the girls....

Tel me - is there anywhere you know where I can buy Norway Army surplus winter jackets?

Takk skal du ha for du rådet. Norge er avkjøle!
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #36  
Old 28 Oct 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Spain
Posts: 59
Are you still en route to Murmansk?
Its a few years since I was last there and it was January, but day time temperatures, including windchill were down to -42C and with only two hours of twilight!

I would (at this time of year) seriously consider your transport options, i.e. diesel freezing, oil in the axles turning to sludge, the inside of the vehicle being like a freezer without a dedicated heater, etc. Plus survival time with a broken down vehicle is counted in hours, not days. I'm sure you are aware, but it is not an environment to be taken lightly.

All that said it is a wonderful part of the world, especially at that time of the year. For equipment, I would go mostly for ex-army arctic survival - they're usually over specified. Have a look at:

Buy your Military Issue EXTREME COLD weather sleeping bag, Arctic sleeping bag, military sleeping bag from Surplus and Adventure UK online store
__________________
http://www.moto-andalucia.com
Reply With Quote
  #37  
Old 28 Oct 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 521
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fastship View Post
Hi Indu - I want to come to Norway one day and visit that plateau around Telemark one day, perhaps do one of the army winter survival courses if possible. I admire so much about Norway except for your low speed limits! (and expensive ) but the girls....

Tel me - is there anywhere you know where I can buy Norway Army surplus winter jackets?

Takk skal du ha for du rådet. Norge er avkjøle!
Hi,
Not sure where you can get decent army surplus stuff. www.forsvarsbrukt.no is a web business (Norwegian only) that sells some army surplus but the collection of winter jackets is not that great it seems. There are of course stores and web businesses selling civilian stuff that is very good - but if army surplus is what you want I have to check around a bit.
Reply With Quote
  #38  
Old 28 Oct 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Staffordshire. uk
Posts: 766
Try here... Military Surplus | Miltary Clothing | Police Kit | Police surplus

or here...
Soldier of Fortune
Reply With Quote
  #39  
Old 29 Oct 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
Quote:
Originally Posted by backofbeyond View Post
Last time I tried something like that I spent the night listening to the rats running around outside the tent. I've tended to stay away from rubbish heaps since.
Yes rubbish tips bad place to camp, all sorts of creepy crawlies.

I was referring to fresh cut green biomass. I learned this by accident back in 1961 when on a survival training course in the new forest. I pulled lots of young newly sprouting bracken to alleviate the cold and hardness of the ground after spending an uncomfortable first night in a makeshift tent. The first night with the bracken was much comfier, and I thought not so cold due to insulation of the ground by the bracken, Next night was much, much warmer stayed really warm for over a week.

Sadly not a lot of heat on the first night unless you pitch on finely chopped greenstuff. Not usually easily available. The coarser harder stuff takes longer to start composting. after 2-3 days though, the base will be well over 20 c possibly over 30c. Handy if you break down, or want to stop and do a couple days fishing.
Reply With Quote
  #40  
Old 29 Oct 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Danmark
Posts: 346
I wouldn't buy army surplus. The army stuff is cheaper but much lower quality as the stuff you can buy for civilians. The armies can't afford the best or won't, as the they have to buy huge quantities and the soldiers get shot anyway ;o(
If its warm it very heavy.

Take a look at this link Buy your Military Issue EXTREME COLD weather sleeping bag, Arctic sleeping bag, military sleeping bag from Surplus and Adventure UK online store that "extreme" sleeping back is very flat, its air that insulates, so an "extreme" should be high even when lying flat with no one in it. My warmest sleeping bag is 12" high when empty but doesn't weigh more than 3,1kg
__________________
Poul
May you enjoy peace and good health !
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 3 of 3 12 3

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Cold Weather Testers Needed! jim stanley Camping Equipment and all Clothing 3 21 Dec 2004 03:04
Cold weather riding tips: Going the distance Bruno Valeri TRAVEL Hints and Tips 6 13 Mar 2004 01:49
Cold Weather Riding tips Bruno Valeri North America 1 27 Sep 2003 11:49
Cold weather tips Evanphoto Route Planning 13 19 Dec 2002 14:03
cheapo cold weather hand protection tip mart Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 1 25 Nov 2001 22:37

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 15:02.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top