There is a county park about 20 miles from my house that is really nice and wooded. Lots of hiking trails and other stuff to do, but no water to paddle.

It is in Northern Illinois. Anyway, what do you think of cold camping? I have a 0 degree bag, but I would bring a quilt, or some other heavy insulating blanket. What do you do all day? Snow is pretty sketchy around here. Thinking about it, it might be better to freeze my ass off in my back yard. Not a lot of difference.

Any thoughts about cold weather camping with no snow??? What is the point? Thanks.

Tomster

"Cold" camping is a relative term. What it means is that you don't use a heated tent. It doesn't mean that you don't have a nice warming fire, not meals, dry clothes, etc.

Setting up camp, gathering firewood, preparing meals and hot drinks mixed in with a nice daytime hike and camp chores will occupy your day light hours. Dealing with the long hours of darkness is another matter. Stash plenty of firewood, find a good friend to go with and tell lots of lies around the camp fire should keep you busy.

For a first time trip, now is a perfect time to try it out in your area. Night time lows are in the 20's or upper teens. Your bag should be fine. Get something between your bag and the ground, I use a Thermarest air mattress on top of a closed cell foam pad, and a zero rated bag. Great for this time of year.

I love making hot drinks.....herb teas, soups, hot bouillion, hot cider, hot chocolate in the evenings. I stay away from caffeine during the evening.

I sleep in a Cooke Custom Sewing Lean+, but it is really just a tarp to keep me out of the wind.

Try a night out in your back yard first if you like, but don't deprive yourself of a nice warm fire.

awbrown gives some excellent advice.

For me, just being out & about in the woods is a great start. But, only you can answer the "what to do" question.

if nothing else, camping out in the woods away from home will give you experience that could come in handy for a spring or fall canoe trip that turns out a lot colder than you would have liked. Who knows? you might learn that you like it and trek out somewhere interesting like Porkies in the UP, BWCA, or other interesting place.

I am not a camper, I camp because it allows me to do the things I enjoy, paddling, hiking, snow shoeing, fishing, ....

what to do all day? Hmmmmmm... Beer and a fire! you should have a great time!

Yep, pretty much the same as normal camping, just with extra gear. Hiking views in the same summer spots offer a whole new perspective when the leaves are gone.

Paul, I'm surprised to see someone sleeping on a cot in what is basically a cold well. Did they like their sleeping arrangements? Seems a cot alone would be colder.

quote SevenofNine: "Paul, I'm surprised to see someone sleeping on a cot in what is basically a cold well. Did they like their sleeping arrangements? Seems a cot alone would be colder."

That was Shawn's on our trip last year.

In a nutshell, he wanted to try it, to say he had. As far as I know it worked out alright for him. (Never heard him complain.)