Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Winter Camping and Activities :: How cold is too cold?
|
Author | Message Text | ||
CrookedPaddler1 |
I think one of the biggest challenges that most of us face, I putting on too many layers in the cold, and thus have issues with getting wet from sweat. Staying dry and "comfortably cool" is the key. I always tell folks, it is better to be a little chilly than to be a bit to warm. Bottom line, is make your plans, have fun, challenge yourself a bit, but always have a backup plan in case things get to cold for you. |
||
CrookedPaddler1 |
I think one of the biggest challenges that most of us face, I putting on too many layers in the cold, and thus have issues with getting wet from sweat. Staying dry and "comfortably cool" is the key. I always tell folks, it is better to be a little chilly than to be a bit to warm. Bottom line, is make your plans, have fun, challenge yourself a bit, but always have a backup plan in case things get to cold for you. |
||
BHark |
|
||
SevenofNine |
|
||
Jaywalker |
|
||
Pinetree |
BHark: "WhiteWolf: "All excellent points above. You said cold tenting. To elaborate on 7 of 9 thoughts , my .02 is how many nights are you planning on?? If you stay dry from not going in the lake and just get the normal sweats and condensation winter campers get in doing chores / breath in the tent etc--- 1 night is doable. After the 2nd your going to notice your bag and tent getting crispy and really not wanting to do a 3rd night. After the 3rd night you will wish you went home after the 2nd night and dried things out and got a warm shower.... Been there done that too many times." That is smart. A mile in and gives a option to walk out if getting cold and equipment failure. The first time is a big learning experience of do's and don't and equipment you need. You also when you winter camp it is about enjoying yourself. I have done it down to -35 degrees F. a few times and a lot of -20 F. degrees. I still enjoyed my trip very much. Lucky my first trips were in 20 degree weather for a low. So much to learn. The colder it gets also means the more time within the day you do spend surviving and staying warm be it wood gathering etc.. The real killer to me you get cold weather below zero and strong winds it can be very miserable. Even cold tenting with two people the tent is probably 10 degrees or so warmer than outside. |
||
WhiteWolf |
|
||
BHark |
WhiteWolf: "All excellent points above. You said cold tenting. To elaborate on 7 of 9 thoughts , my .02 is how many nights are you planning on?? If you stay dry from not going in the lake and just get the normal sweats and condensation winter campers get in doing chores / breath in the tent etc--- 1 night is doable. After the 2nd your going to notice your bag and tent getting crispy and really not wanting to do a 3rd night. After the 3rd night you will wish you went home after the 2nd night and dried things out and got a warm shower.... Been there done that too many times." Thanks all! We were only planning on one night, so I'm not too concerned (and only about a mile in). As much as I'd love to do more, I have homework to do and its only our first trip. Just wanna get out there! |
||
BHark |
|
||
SevenofNine |
Think about it, you pull a sled down a few lakes and encounter slush and your gear you thought didn't need to be in a waterproof sack because it's winter gets wet and you soak your boots. It's a warm day and you soak your clothes from sweat as well. You push yourself to get to the campsite and don't have a lot of drinking water. Life is going to be tough at the campsite with wet gear and wet foot wear unless you can dry things quickly. To answer your general question on being too cold. I would hesitate when it's going to be -50. That wouldn't stop me from going but it might alter the distance I am willing to travel. My personal experience is that when it is -20 or colder things get dicey if you can't keep yourself warm, hydrated and fed. |