Winter camping gear & photos.

[mdh]

I'm interested in doing some overnighters and weekend trips in the winter months. I'm researching kit to buy and places to visit.
I'd be interested to see what gear people take and where they go on such jaunts.
Lots of photos and lists of stuff appreciated.
A basic list consisting of-
Tent
Sleeping bag
Mat
Cooker/cooking stuff
Lights

[mercurykev]

I'd like to at least try an overnighter before the end of winter as the latest I've ever camped out is the end of October. I think that my kit will be able to cope but my biggest worry is around getting a bit bored with the long evenings. The kit I'm planning to use is:

Tent :Hilleberg Nallo 2 GT
Bag: Alpkit Skyehigh 600 with silk liner
Mat: Downmat 7 DLX
Stove: Trangia
Light: Alpkit Bulb 2 and a Gamma headtorch

My plan would be to go somewhere that I could build a fire, such as Comrie Croft, as that would provide some entertainment in the evening.

[alicej]

If you're taking a smartphone you could download the Kindle app so you can read books on it. Take loads of spare charged batteries.

[mdh]

I'd like to at least try an overnighter before the end of winter as the latest I've ever camped out is the end of October. I think that my kit will be able to cope but my biggest worry is around getting a bit bored with the long evenings. The kit I'm planning to use is:

Tent :Hilleberg Nallo 2 GT
Bag: Alpkit Skyehigh 600 with silk liner
Mat: Downmat 7 DLX
Stove: Trangia
Light: Alpkit Bulb 2 and a Gamma headtorch

My plan would be to go somewhere that I could build a fire, such as Comrie Croft, as that would provide some entertainment in the evening.

Nice stuff. I'd not heard of the downmat. Just read a quick review and it sounds brill. May have to purchase.
I've been looking at the Alpkit bags. How do you find the 600, do you reckon it's up to a few wintery nights?

[mercurykev]

Nice stuff. I'd not heard of the downmat. Just read a quick review and it sounds brill. May have to purchase.
I've been looking at the Alpkit bags. How do you find the 600, do you reckon it's up to a few wintery nights?

My downmat is the most comfortable camping mat I've ever used - far superior to any Thermarest. There is also the added benefit of super insulation from the cold ground, it's rated to -24C, so it should be perfect for this time of year.

My bag is rated to -5C so with a liner it should be able to cope with camping at lower altitudes; although, the coldest I've used it was 6C and I was actually too hot. My plan is to take a bivy bag just in case it gets a bit too cold.

[mdh]

I was going to go for the 800. But for general use I think it may be a bit overkill.
Where did you get your mat from, if you don't mind me asking?

[mercurykev]

I got mine from Elite Mountain Supplies as they had the best price at the time (and it looks like they still have)

http://elitemountainsupplies.co.uk/prod ... g-mat.html

The mats aren't cheap but as I sleep on my back and used to have terrible sleeps in tents, I think it has been worth the price. You can even get a synthetic filled version (synmat) which costs about 25% less but is not quite as insulating -17C rather than -24C.

[Aushiker]

Hi

For what it is worth I have my current gear list posted here. That said I am making some changes to the list. The significant ones being the tent, cooking system, and the trailer.

I am in the process of updating my tent to a Tarptent Scarp 1. There is a good review of it at Blogpackinglight.



I have updated my cooking system to a Trail Designs Sidewinder Ti Tri Cooking System plus a Evernew Ti 0.9 pot.



The trailer has gone from a BoB Ibex to an Extrawheel Voyager plus a couple of Ortlieb panniers (still to come).

On the subject of mats, I am really stoked with my Eped Synmat UL 7S.



and finally the other possible significant change to my gear is my sleeping bag. I currently use a home made down quilt but it is a bit on the bulky side when packing so I am considering options and a possible upgrade to a Western Mountaineering Highlite.

Regards
Andrew

[mdh]

Thanks to you both.
Andrew, great blog. Very informative. Some nice kit choices there.
I bought a Honey Stove http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/product397.asp
A little heavy, but once packed up, will disappear into a pannier/bag. I've yet to test it.

Would like to hear from others and create a bit of a winter gear database for lightweight short tours.

[Aushiker]

I bought a Honey Stove http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/product397.asp

That looks very interesting. Pity I hadn't seen it before I brought the Sidewinder.

Andrew

[mdh]

Just found this vid with some great mods for the Honey Stove- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wb9HcIcQ1HE

[pedalsheep]

I haven't camped in winter for a few years but would like to get back to it. Mention winter and everyone immediately thinks frost but wet and windy are probably more likely.
Gear list
Tent
Hilleberg Nallo- palatial for one, you need a bit of space if you're spending a long time in it.
Sleeping Bag
PHD Minim 500. Rated to -10, only available in their twice yearly sales.
Mat
Thermarest Neoair with Z lite underneath for good measure. Would seriously consider buying an Exped downmat if I did this often.
Stove
Needs to be safe to use in tent porch. Trangia or (when Santa brings it ) Primus Express Spider, low profile and has preheating tube so works well in the cold.
Thermarest Chair conversion, you need to be comfortable in a tent if you're spending a long time in it reading etc and I'm now too old to read propped up on my elbows.
Just bought an Alpkit Gamma headtorch - amazing piece of kit for the price.
Last and by no means least - if like me you're female - a Shewee and a large bottle!

[phil parker]

Thermarest Chair conversion, you need to be comfortable in a tent if you're spending a long time in it reading etc

Does the Thermarest Chair conversion work with a Neoair? (that you quoted earlier as part of your gear!)

[pedalsheep]

Does the Thermarest Chair conversion work with a Neoair?

It does just about work. I think its slightly wider than a standard thermorest (altho it may be the extra thickness that makes the difference) so you have to sort of squash it a bit but with a bit of fiddling you do end up with a comfy seat. Oh, and you can't double the bottom section over so you end up with a long lounger type of seat.

[phil parker]

Thanks, I will give that a try sometime - after using the Neoair and really appreciating it, I will never go back to the older Thermarest systems (or similar) again.

PS: I also have the Exped Downmat, which is better and much more robust, but almost twice as heavy, (still compact) so different equipment for different occasions.