I'm not the most experienced camper, and would like some knowledge on how to have a more comfortable time camping in cold weather. Last year I tent camped for forth rifle, and after I think 2.5 days, I bailed and went home. When you dread going back to camp, and then dread getting up before the sun is up, it makes for a pretty miserable experience. This year I've got second rifle, so it might be a little warmer, but I'm really not counting on it.

Here is my camp from last winter.



I have just your average 4-person dome tent with a rain fly. I used a cheapy 2-man pup-tent for extra dry storage. I have a GoLite 3 season down bag that has treated me very well in many camps. I brought a Nebo Zero degree bag that is so big it takes up the entire rear seat in my Amigo when rolled up. No joke, this thing is huge. I opened it all the way (only opens down one side, so it's not a full blanket) and laid that over my GoLite, and that kept me warm enough to sleep comfortably (enough). My neighbor let me borrow his Mr.Buddy propane heater and that thing was a life saver. I could turn it on right before bed to get changed, and first thing in the morning to change in a pretty comfortable climate. As anyone who has tent camped knows, you have about 45-60 seconds after that heater turns off before all your heat is gone, and you'd better be in your bag. It was about 20 degrees at night, and after the first day, the tent heater would shut off on me. I thought it had run out of propane, but I think it wasn't getting enough oxygen and auto shut off.

I had a very difficult time keeping a fire lit for some reason, so except for one or two hot meals, I ended up eating sandwiches. On morning two, when the ham in my ham sandwich was frozen, that's when I decided I was going home early.

This year I'm going to try and bring my trailer since my Amigo is so small. If I want to bring a meat cooler, and a food cooler, the trailer is mandatory.

I'm very interested in helping mitigate the cold with lighter, smaller things than that huge zero degree bag (though I'm still bringing it). Wulf202 gave me a lot of tips about what clothes to sleep in and that kind of thing. Now I'm more interested in bag liners and bivy sacks. How helpful are they? I'll take ANY general cold weather tips please.

Go!