Camping in single digit temps

Try to stay warm.

Done it a bunch in SW Colorado. 2 pair of socks, thermals, fleece jacket and a stocking cap. 0 degree bag with a quality sleeping pad.

It's really not bad to sleep in, but it is incredibly painful getting up in the morning.

When i went to Colorado last year to do a public land elk hunt it was me and a buddy in a shared tent first three days were highs of 70 and lows of 40. Day four overnight it dropped about 7” of snow and got down to 12 degrees for the following two nights but it warmed up to mid 50s during the day.


The mornings were the worst trying to get up in the dark and will ourselves to get out of the sleeping bag.


My tip. Make sure your tents tarp top and bottom Is waterproof so no snow melts through. We had two guys in a hiking tent so it was close quarters but that helps with warmth and with a bit of morale.


A zero degree mummy bag is a huge help and an air matt or a blue foam Matt to give you another layer of insulation off the ground. I slept in thick wool socks that were my sleeping socks so they weren’t sweaty from the day. Have a set of sleeping underwear and sleeping long John tops and bottom. So that everything you put on at night dry and sweat free. You will more than likely sleep in multiple fleece jackets and gloves and have a beanie that you are comfortable sleeping in.


Honestly it’s not that bad if you are prepared. A good sleeping bag helps but honestly mine isn’t anything crazy and I think you can make up for a lot with wearing a lot of clothes to sleep.


Making some breakfast on the stove just outside of the tent but still inside if the main cover also gives you a little heat inside of the main tent.

Try to pee as much as you can before climbing into your sleeping bag. Those 3 a.m. "gotta pee bad" runs would suck in that kind of weather, even if you just pee outside the tent.

quote:

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Those 3 a.m. "gotta pee bad" runs would suck in that kind of weather, even if you just pee outside the tent

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a bottle next to your bag helps with this

Are you going for fun? Or hunting or another reason?

I wouldn’t go camping just to camp if it’s under 20 degrees, personally. I’ve done it but it’s just not pure fun. It’s more work than anything.

Ive done it a few times, and theres no substitution for proper gear.. found that out the hard way

Something I didnt see mentioned that i use is 24" Mylar reflective insulation (the kind with bubble wrap in between the sheets) to help keep the heat loss to a minimum

Stuff it inside my bag to lay on.. works very well and is dirt cheap

Muy layers, no cotton anything, drink plenty of liquids. Closer fitting cloths for base layer and looser stuff for outer wear. For coffee, hot chocolate, and oatmeal throw in a splash of Baileys Irish Cream. With hot spiced cider a little brandy. Keep alcohol to a minimum. Sleep with your water filter in a double zip-lock. Keep at least your morning base layer pushed down in the foot box of sleeping bag, along with water bottle. If car camping a Coleman lantern will knock the cold off a freezing tent in 5-10 minutes before undressing. A good insulated cup/mug is your friend. A small square of insulated foam works wonders for sitting in the snow. F' the jet boil (canister stoves) get an old school gas burner. And enjoy having fresh food that you can defrost instead of dehydrated bag fare.

Kodiak Canvas tent
Buddy Heater
Zero bag