The weather finally cleared and the overnight temps have moved above 0*F so I decided it would be good to push my gear (all DIY) and myself to try winter camping. The overnight low was projected to be 9*F but ended up only getting down to 14*F.
Got to the trail head around 6pm. It was dark but the white snow made it easy enough to see even with my headlamp off. Hiked a mile up a groomed x-country ski trail in Green Canyon and setup camp. [pictures taken after daybreak]
green canyon sign.jpg
outside.jpg
Slept in omniwool thermal top and bottoms, a light fleece pullover sweater, thick loose fitting wool socks, and a wool ski mask with fleece balaclava on top. I also had a nalgene bottle with hot water that stayed warm from 9pm to 5am. I would have been fine without the hot water bottle, but it made getting into my quilts much better.
The hammock is an 11ft hexon 1.6. For under insulation I had my full length 6oz climashield UQ layered on top of my double layer down throw UQ with an UQ protector loosely fitted on the outside. Also slept on a climashield pillow.
opened 2.jpg
On top I had my 6oz climashield TQ with my single layer down throw TQ inside
There was no wind so I pitched my tarp with a slight gap in each door to vent, but there was still a lot of frost on the inside of my tarp.
frosty tarp.jpg
I had a digital thermometer that read the low as 14*F but I accidentally cleared the max/min before I could get a picture. I think this same setup could get me to around 5*F with minor only minor tweaks. This is when I got back to my truck just after sunrise.
temp in truck.jpg
I love being outdoors and have only done daytime stuff in the winter. It was an enlightening experience and it was great to pushing my homemade gear.
sun 1.jpg
sun 3.jpg
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