Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Chat Forum > The HUBB PUB
Camping in minus 20C Camping in minus 20C
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
The HUBB PUB Chat forum - no useful content required!

BUT the basic rules of polite and civil conduct which everyone agreed to when signing up for the HUBB, will still apply, though moderation will be a LITTLE looser than elsewhere on the HUBB.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree37Likes

Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 13 Dec 2015
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 35
A few things to remember, some manufacturers rate their bags with a person in thermals using them. Having said that, I sleep in thermals when it's very cold, and always wear a hat. I use a decent Mountain Equipment down bag, expensive and doesn't pack doen very small, but it's warm. I also use a thermorest to keep me off the floor and give extra comfort, and a goretex bivi bag over the lot to keep me dry and add extra insulation.
Don't skimp on cold weather kit, and as others have said, keep the calories up to allow your body energy to warm itself.
And whatever you do, don't be tempted to use your stove in your tent for warmth!
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 13 Dec 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 2
Fill a bottle with hot water & put it at your feet; get a silk liner for the bag; use multiple winter pads (therma-rest) as the ground is your enemy; do 50 jumping jacks before getting in (bags do not create heat, they only keep it in) Have a pee bottle close by and enjoy the experience.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 14 Dec 2015
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,124
Lots of great advice on this thread.

+1 on above, but use a fleece-covered 2-litre hot water bottle. It packs small and the fleece outer means you can use almost boiling water, in which case it will retain warmth until the morning. I use these in our cave in the Spanish mountains when there's snow outside and the wolves are howling (OK, it's probably only the local dogs).

And as Cottonwood and Mollydog write, it's essential to insulate yourself from the ground. I use an Exped 9DL downmat which is brilliant—it's extra wide to prevent rolling off, and 9cm deep which is twice the thickness of some mats. This retains the body heat so well that I often use just a silk liner as a bag—I unzip my sleeping bag and use it over me as a duvet.
__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 14 Dec 2015
g6snl's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Home in Essex GB
Posts: 564
great stuff!
Wow what a great response on this topic. Thanks all.

I've done many "hot" trips but the other end of the scale has been neglected on my part, I honestly can't see why after reading all your advice. When you start to consider "cold" trips it actually opens up a whole load more possibilities for winter travel.
__________________
Regards Tim

Learning my craft for the big stuff, it won't be long now and it's not that far anyway
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 14 Dec 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
Posts: 1,785
Until you have laid under the stars, watching the Northern Lights and listening to a wolf howling in the distance you won't know what it's like to have your tent stolen.

Andy
Last edited by Threewheelbonnie; 14 Dec 2015 at 14:39.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 14 Dec 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 1,028
All good suggestions. The mattress with the highest R value you can get (you loose more heat through the ground than the air) and a hot water bottle. Huddle up. You can have a fire bunch ready to be lit if you're really worried.

You can also get really small wood stoves for use in a tent if you can be bothered. They fold flat (except the stack which rolls small) and then you can camp at those temps with your summer gear. You'll still be lighter off.

__________________
Tacos Tyring Travels.com
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 14 Dec 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 157
Also, shake up the bag before getting in. My very comfy down sleeping bag has the downside that the fluff can move front my front (chest - when sleeping on your back) to the bag. This leaves only the outer fabric on top, causing a very cold chest. Down under your back is useless because of the compression. Make sure the fluff is in the right areas and make it Fluffy by shaking the bag up when taking it from the stuff sack.

I camped with minus 20 and it was cold. But only on the butt. I thin matrass is sucky. Get a good, place card board under it.. your jacket or whatever, just something.

Alex

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 15 Dec 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 521
I've gathered a few winter riding tips from Andy and others here, if interested.
Winter bike riding guide | Ride Norway
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 22 Dec 2015
Gold Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 89
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldbmw View Post
A long long time ago whilst "camping" in early spring there was a real cold spell.

I pulled about 18 inches (50 cm in new money) of fresh green bracken shoots and packed it that deep under my tent.
First night although still cold was better than without.
Second night wass was definitely a bit warmer.
After that the underfloor heating really kicked in and inside the tent was quite warm maybe 15C or therabouts. -10C or colder outside.

Reason is fresh green stuff composts and will provide warmth for weeks.

If you intend stopping somewhere for some time eg fishing trip, this might be useful, but the vegetation you use must be fresh and usually green.

You might want to put plastic sheet between you and the compost

Many years later I used this technique when camping on a municipal campsite. I pitched my tent on their composting grass pile The guys I was with just could not believe how warm it was inside my tent.
your spot on, i use to heat my stables with a heating coil and water pumped around it because it was buried under the muck heap

steve
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2

« 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
Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride saralou Ride Tales 3565 4 Weeks Ago 18:23
Camping gear and car gear for sale in Lima, Peru aureetantoine TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 1 1 May 2015 03:32
Camping on the Brazilian Coast wetpanda South America 3 30 Dec 2014 22:42
Bulgaria----------Central camping gary brown Sleep and Eat, Europe 0 7 Sep 2014 12:05
Camping in Venezuela 2fortheroad.co.uk South America 0 10 Oct 2013 04:22

 
 

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 14:02.

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