I was looking into starting to winter camp and for now I plan to start cold camping, it would be great to get a Kifaru or Empire set up with a stove, but that will have to wait. I am trying to get a tent that I could use for summer camping in the BWCA and for some short winter camping outings. Could I use a Eureka Timberline? I have also been looking at a Mountain Hardwear Hammerhead or Coleman Exponent Helios. I appreciate your thoughts.

PW

I would suggest to search the winter camping forum for this. Most cold campers don't use a tent because of the moisture issues in the winter. There aren't any bugs so no need for mesh, the many thing is to keep out of the wind and stay dry. There are a number of options for this: snow cave, igloo, ditch, winter bivy sack, etc....

A tent will work, but you should know about the moisture problems most summer tents have in the winter. You could always make or rent a wall tent with a stove.

Lean 2's work well in winter.

Keeps the snow off and can block wind if set up correctly. Open front means no moisture issues.

Will do double duty in summer as a rain fly, kitchen area or sleeping quarters.

See TG's CCS Lean 2 post in the gear forum. Really explains the system well.

I appreciate the suggestions guys. You know how it is, trying to save some money and have gear serve double duty. I have looked at the CCS products and drooled, they seem to be well made. I have been wanting to get back into winter camping for some time now. I went winter camping about 30 years ago when I was in Boy Scouts. I remember using army surplus canvas pup tents and a flannel lined Coleman sleeping bag. I look forward to trying it with better equipment.

Thanks again,

PW

I've used my 3 season tent a few times in the winter, and it has provided wind and snow protection it even holds in some heat, but not much. It does get real frosty in the morning- I woke up once thinking it was snowing in my tent until I figured out that is was frozen vapor.

Last year I rented a canvas tent and stove with a friend of mine. We split the cost which helped a lot.

If you have the time, snow caves are a lot of fun to build.

Frost issue is easy one - just leave tent door open.

Go rent a tent form REI for your first trip and then you can see if you like a tent. Plus you don;t have to worry about drying it out when you gewt home. Just bring er back.

Our group pretty much has switched to using Menards blue tarps and making a lean 2.

You can use a tent if you want to and a Timberland works well. I've used mine before but like bogs said a tarp is best to keep falling snow off and blocking wind.

I used a 4 season tent one time. It was horrible. It rained the day we went out and was -20 that night. Not fun. We called the outing "Camp Frozen Breath" because the inside of our tent accumulated so much moisture.

If you cannot aford a hot tent, I highly recommend just bringing a tarp. If it is not snowing you can just build a wall around your sleeping bag like this:



That is a pic from last year. I actually have a hot tent but we had 3 guys and my dog. I actually prefer to sleep outside but will never go without a hot tent again (to cook, dry clothes, hang out, etc). You cannot beat it:)

Make sure you read this forum for tips on winter camping. there are a lot of little things (like going pee if you are cold...because your body will focus the heat on keeping your urine warm, eating gorp right b4 bed time, don't pack peanut butter, it will break your teeth, etc. that come in handy!)

I appreciate all of the answers. The talk about condensation reminds me of the canvas pup tents we used, when we were done camping for the weekend and took the poles down, the tents were kind of free standing due to the ice and frost inside! I like the simplicity of the tarp idea, but I am thinking the wind would switch in the middle of the night and that could be interesting. This forum has helped me alot already, I have some good ideas for modifying my sled ect.

PW

I have a 4 season tent by Eureka that I have used successfully for winter camping. The Hi-Lo venting keeps the moisture from condensing and freezing. We have spent the night at -15, with three warm, breathing bodies inside, without a problem.

I am planning to buy an igloo making kit this Fall and trying winter camping that way. Tents work, but they are difficult. The small size and frozen conditions are combursome.

Hope this helped....

hey plaid wool-
never done any significant winter camping myself but in terms of the CCS lean 2 (plus) usually campsites are pretty protected from wind from at least 2 directions. i set mine up with the low end into the prevailing wind or if there is none whatever is most convenient/practical for camp. at night you can pull the awning down to protect the inside of the lean from the elements. if you don't pull it all the way down you can set it up with a tunnel like opening that provides easy access and ventilation. it is a versatile shelter!

i will say that during the spring, summer and fall the fabric is almost always damp (condensation on the inside and residual dew/rain on the outside) when i tear down camp but it dries out quickly as the day warms.

tg

Plaid Wool,

I've used a CCS Lean 1 last year for one night with the wife and it reached -34 degrees. I like using this tent also as a solo tent on my canoe trips. I've used it hiking in the Isle Royal for four days in June. Very light weight and can be erected quick. My other winter tent of choice is a Black Diamond Mega. Roughly eight foot square, one center pole, and no floor. A couple snow anchors to set and your up in no time.

My only real winter camping experience was about 10 years ago in a tent. But, I plan on going out several times this winter. Based on my research, I plan on digging a trench and covering it with a tarp. It is fast and almost as warm as a igloo or snow cave.

One of the most useful sites I have found is http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/winter/wintcamp.shtml#Personal%20Equipment

For instructions on how to make a snow cave, pit, and other winter shelters check out this site http://www.gottagoitsnows.com/snowcamping/007.html