Anyone ever been camping in the snow?

Question

If so whered you go, how long for, what was it like?

Iv been camping loads of times and in some pretty stormy weather but never in the snow. Site i go to in north wales opens in a month and if its snowing im gona try n go, i rekon it would great fun.

Whats your experiences?

After all these comments i really better add that its a very well known camp site, its by the sea, its not actualy up in the mountains (though iv slept in my car in the snow at the top of snowdon (road wise) in the carpark.

I have seen pics of last march at the campsite when there was snow. Its not quite the arctic conditions i think some people are imagining.. I would love to camp somewhere right up in the mountains and the snow some day but at the mo its not quite that extreme. Thanx for all the comments, great fun reading.

Lol youve got me wanting to camp right up in the wildeness of the mountains now... Hmm maybe one day but not properly equiped at the mo..

Answer 1

Dress warm, build a good cosy fire, bring a sled, sit back & enjoy nature in the winter.

Answer 2

I have camped in wales and scotland and the european alps in the snow -it is great fun as long as you have the right equipment and know what you're doing!

You mention a campsite so I'll assume you'll be staying there? First of all, you should take a shovel with you -you can use this to clear an area to put your tent up or at least compact it if there's loads -you can pitch straight onto the snow, but it can melt underneath which isn't ideal. If you can't get the pegs in effectively enough then just use some big rocks to hold them down. It may be suitable to buy a portable lightweight shovel to take walking with you (see below) and you can pick one up for about £25: http://www.needlesports.com/cgi-bin/sh000003.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2eneedlesports%2ecom%2fcgi%2dbin%2fss000003%2epl%3fSS%3dwool%26ACTION%3dGo%2521%26PR%3d%2d1%26TB%3dA%26SHOP%3d&WD=shovel&SHOP=%20&PN=Mail_Order_Snow_Equipment_28%2ehtml%23aLNK_20L3DX#aLNK_20L3DX

You will also need a decent tent that can stand up to the weather if it get's bad, but you have experience of that and probably know what's suitable.

Next, you need some decent sleeping equipment, else you could get pretty cold -you should use a full length thermarest as a sleeping mat: http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/servlets/SearchResult?item_index=0&item_display_length=30
and you will also need a decent four season down sleeping bag, and possibly a liner if it's very cold. I am assuming you will have thermals etc for sleeping in.

Other than that, it's camping as normal really.

If you are going to go walking in the mountains in the snow, you really need to know what you're doing as it can be fatal if not -especially in scotland in terms of avalanches. You would also need to be a very competent navigator and to have the right equipment if you're planning on going up any snow covered peaks in wales or scotland -i.e. winter boots, crampons, ice axe, shovel, avalanche probe + know how to use them, not to mention adequate clothing (+ spares) and food. But if you just fancy camping and wandering around the lower hills, then that won't be necessary.

Hope that helps.


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Answer 3

camped in snow several times;wester ross, cairngorms and breacon beacons. week was longest in snow. Even tried lying out without tent in bivvi but that was in shelter of a forest- dont fancy waking up buried in it..Never been cold in snow (been colder in a wet summer) because so afraid of hypothermia - end up more likely to get heat stroke.
Still take 2 bags,1 lite weight snug pak inside cheap wynnster 3 season + thermal liner all inside bivvi bag. Then i wear balaclava gloves and socks .. oh and thermal longjohns and vest and
jersey -
Yeh and underneath is probly more important to insulate or the ground sucks out all your heat. I use pine branches and heather under my rolmat. Smells good and u make it to fit.
then in the morning you'll be so sweating a lovely icy snow bath is so appealing. Had a shower under icy waterfall once but felt ill all day after.
Snow camping is great, so invigorating! Do it wild! its the best!
Use snow pegs tho, so they dont pull out.And pick not the wildest most exposed place or where it's likely to drift.

Yeh you're right my enthusiasm's a bit irresponsible.But build up gradually. Best to go on a course first b4 you go in the hills i n winter alone; and get very competent at navigation.

In summer learning by your mistakes can be funny.In winter it can kill.People have died looking for their car in a car park in severe weather.
Finally, in UK, lovely crispy snow can quickly turn to nasty soaking freezing slush..

Hope that's got the balance right now. (can email for chat if u like - I'm not an expert - just not had a disaster yet)

Answer 4

Find a good site that has caravans on it also. This way if the weather turns really nasty at least you could hire a caravan for short time. You could always imagine you are under canvas when the snow is coming down and the wind is howling around the caravan. Get the Malt out and make a hot toddy! Brrrrrrrrrrrr.

Answer 5

I went in Colorado's continental divide. We weren't in good enough shape, I got blisters all over my lips, and my camping buddies gave up for fear of death. It was an experience, and after a couple weeks I ended up hitching to Las Vegas somehow (that was even more dangerous).

Snow melting on your tent can be dangerous. think about all the ice as well up the mountains, very slippery.

North Wales, I'd really tell someone where you are and check with the local authorities before you go. It's not as isolated as Colorado, but people have been stranded there, especially on the hills.

Answer 6

First bit of advice dont do it. Ok so you've ingnored that. Had the experinece a couple of times, fortuantley in lowland Hertfordshire i know not the Himalaya but there you have it. My experience is sub zero camping mainly, I was a kind of crazy/stupid teenager delete as you see fit. Actually snow per se is not so bad its the cold you gotta watch out for and for that you know what to do. Make sure the sleeping bags up to it a winter weight is what you need. If weight is not a problem then they are not too expensive. A good sleeping mat, preferably one of them reflecting type though I havent seen them in a while, you know the stuff a bit like a space blanket. Oh yeah pack a space blanket. wish i had one as i was breaking the ice on the water butt. A hat boy you are going to need that. If you can sleep with your boots in your bag its better for the morning. Clear the snow for a good way around the tent area before you pitch if you can, melting snow is a pain in the butt its soggy and helps you stay cold but snow in itself is an insulator so if the weather turns really bad dig a snow hole for your tent, If you can pack a survial kit and one of them dinky little hand warmer or several your really welcome the warmth. Pack things for a fire, stubs of candles are great. And fianlly dress in layers thermal base, cotton mid, wool top, then fleece then windproof waterproof over jacket, two thin socks are better than one thick and all that, you can get thermal insoles too which are quite good. Apply the layering principle to your legs too. Finally you are crazy but from one crazy guy to another enjoy it!

Answer 7

Don't sleep on the floor, try and be in an elevated position, such as using a camp bed. Heat rises and cold air falls, so naturally you will be freezing if sleeping on the floor.

Try and camp near a wall or cliff face so that heat from the fire will reflect back onto you, alternatively you could make a screen out of logs.

Wind plays a large factor in making you cold so find a sheltered spot.

Try wearing two thin layers of clothing instead of one thick one as this will insulate you better.

Answer 8

Yes. I was doing a Mountain Leaders course. One of the weekends in December was wild country camping. We went to the lake district parked our cars, walked 10 miles in the dark over open country.
The next night was Open Camping. This involved walking up Scafell Pike, with all your gear, minus your tent. We had to sleep outside with only our survival bags for shelter. The snow was about 18inches deep. It was b----y freezing. A good experience tho.

Answer 9

Many years ago
with my grandfather in Colorado
he had a pickup camper and we were on a Deer hunting trip
I'll never forget the experience---my grandfather has been gone for some time now but the solid memories remain !!
The camper was toasty sweet through it all and the trip was a resounding success-- we fed the hometown church with the product of our excursion and I still have the antlers from the trophy of that adventure on my den wall near the fireplace !!!

Answer 10

I been camping in the snow before, although, I'm the sort that camps out during the Summer, take a small gas cooker with you and turn it on, but don;t cook anything with it, and those self heating meals, they can help you, also, take a couple of knives with you, you may need them if the situation beocmes dire, tame enough fuel for a fire, and take plenty of warm clothes with you, those tents don't have central heating!

Answer 11

My best top tip for camping in the snow was passed down to me from my dad,

he was camping in europe and during his stay had to endure almost 2 feet of snow - the first night his friend and him didn't sleep a wink because they were so cold. the next day they recieved some advise from a fellow camper. only wear to sleep your nightwear, a hat, gloves and thick socks- nothing else!
that night my dad followed his advise whille his friend thought it was nonsense and pulled on even more clothes including some of dads which he piled on top.
my dad slept snugly and soundly whille his friend froze again and couldn't sleep.

i think you should follow this advise.

enjoy!