Just wondering what tips n tricks any of you guys have for open air cold weather camping? College buddies want to go somewhere for a night or two and pretend like we are 30 years younger again and camp under the stars sometime in late October. A lot of reminiscing, giving hell and maybe even a toast around the fire. We used to do this, but, we were much younger-it was usually summer-we were invincible-and we were liquor pigs. Being a silverback primate now, I am a little more comfort oriented. Already have the canvas tarp for a ground cloth, a wool blanket to put as a ground softening device and a sleeping bag. What else will make life a little gooder? Would a space blanket over the ground cloth and under the wool blanket help reflect heat up? Do warm water bottles really help any? At least there will be no mosquitoes.
Put something down between you and the ground, more than a cloth. Even a chaise lounge pad would work. Warm bottles do work. Wear a Hoodie of some sort. If it cools down at night, cover your head. Clean dry socks at night. A pair of wool socks over cotton. I love cold weather camping. Been doing it for over 40yrs.
No tents allowed? What if it rains? I do a lot of camping, but we always bring a tent in case it rains?
thermarest, but you might not want to spend the money for a one off event. Whiskey would be on the top of the list, if you get drunk enough, it won't really matter what you're sleeping on.
For sure something to insulate you from the ground and just as important, something on top to keep the dew off you. Warm socks and a stocking hat will do wonders. Also consider buying some of those little heat packs you can tuck in or perhaps even better is a ThermaCare back wrap. That will do a lot to keep you warm all night long and it will still be warm in the morning. Also a really good sleeping bag is worth much for sure. We have some that are not super heavy but have blankets sewed into the inside of the bags. Nice. Don't forget the toilet paper.
Have you ever tried a hammock? You can use a sleeping bag with a reflective pad, but what really works is an underquilt on the bottom and a top quilt or possibly just a wool blanket over you. Keeps you up off the ground. Might be kind of pricey for a one time deal though.
My brother in law got me a “cats meow” north face sleeping bag. That thing is toasty. It is rated to 20f. They look kind of pricey new, but I’m sure last year’s model can be found on sale or get a used one. Real light weight and kind of a pain to get crammed into its bag, but small too. Great for hiking in style camping. We rent some of the the App. Trail cabins, usually in the late fall; we did get snowed out in the drive out one time.. couldn’t get to the trail parking. You might check out an REI or something just to scope the models. They might have colder rated models that strike your fancy. I like the space/wool blanket burrito idea too. I guess layers are the way to go if you’re working with what you have.
