I ordered the 12x12 Alaknak II tent and the Sheepherders Alaskan stove from Cabelas with spark arrestor and roof protector for a week long hunting opportunity that came up at the last minute in a remote area that will require tent camping only.

This will be my first cold weather stay in a tent. I expect temps. down to 20~F. at night. Any advice? Mainly, will I stay warm!! Any heads up on safety issues or helpfull advice appreciated!

I don't know how you guys can sleep in your thermals at 20 F. I consider that warm weather camping. If I slept in my thermals, I'd be soaking wet in a couple of hours from sweat.

In cold weather remember that more under you than over you. A good foam pad or several blankets should work. I have never owned a "cold weather" sleeping bag but a normal one will freeze you to death. I have abandon them for an old time cowboy bed tarp and make my bed in it (foam pad and blankets) according to weather expected. I think Caproila's in Elko, NV has them, look at their web site. Capriola's

A note on the pads- forget the self-inflaters, convection inside will freeze you; get a FOAM pad, the thicker the better. What you find at fabric stores as mattress padding is softer than closed cell and almost as warm but is bulkier.



When transport is not a problem I also have a Coleman catalytic propane heater, it's only 6000 BTU but it will knock the chill off a large cabin tent enough so nobody has to hold a gun on me to get me out of the bag. Sometimes I sit it under my campchair and drape a wool (unflammable) blanket around me to contain the heat. Right cozy.



As stated by others, sleep in your thermals and put at least your first layers in your bag or sleep in them. I generally put my pants and parka under my bag. The ski mask is a must IMO.

If we've got a fire in the stove, we are usually running around the tent in skivies. Put the thermals on when getting dressed to head out.

All the suggestions above are dependant on how you are going to get to camp. If you are pulling it out of the tailgate of your pickup. Take all of it. If you are packing in on horseback, or even worse on your back, then you get real picky about how much to take.

Steve, good suggestions above, especially a really good sleeping bag. Take care of it and it'll last you your lifetime.



Here's something I've done for a long time, 35 years at least, to prevent "beneath the bag" cold from seeping up through my cot, making sleep uncomfortable, while tent camping in really cold weather. Go to a store that sells large appliances, or a bicycle shop, and get a large piece of cardboard from an appliance or bicycle.



Cut it about two inches larger all around, than your cot. Place it on the canvas first, then your foam and bag. I always carry an extra old wool blanket along, just in case things really turn cold!



Also, put a piece of cardboard beside your cot, to stand on when you get up. Much better than feet on the ground.



Also, as for "bladder control," I suggest you go to the drug store and buy a hospital type, plastic, male urinal bottle. Sure beats Hell outta having to stand outside in a foot of snow, at 0300 in the morning.



Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.



L.W.

Do not put your head inside the sleeping bag, it will absorb the moisture from your breath.Watch out for condensation on your equipment it will freeze and your gun won't work.

mete
You are 100% correct. Steve always leave an opening at the top of your tent door so excess moisture can escape.

I would use an Army style cot, and a thick foam pad underneath the sleeping bag. If you ever decide to buy a "real cold weather tent," then look at this one. Don't be shocked by the price, however.

Alaska Tent&Tarp

If you are sleeping on cots, you will need twice the padding of sleeping on the ground.

Like said before.....Degrease your gun, very important!

An expensive sleeping bag is money well spent! Sleep with your head out and a stocking cap on or a hooded sweat shirt on to cover your head. The cot idea is good but get a good pad. 20 isnt bad. Try -30 some time. You keep the stove going.

20 degrees is not that cold but....for future reference when it really gets cold ...



Socks - Smartwool Mountaineering socks ($20 per pair and worth EVERY penny)!



Boots - Sorel Pack boots with an extra set of insulated Sorel insoles to be used at all times. I have a set that served me well at -20 so +20 should be no problem.



Fleece - Balaclava, drawstring pants, and zip up undershirt. Patagonia "Activist Fleece" was the best I had found but I believe it has been discontinued.



Outerwear - WOOL and ideally of the Filson Brand. The Double Mackinaw Cruiser and Mackinaw Bibs combination is really unbeatable. NOTHING works better in cold and possibly wet conditions and is simultaneously quiet enough for hunting.



Sleeping bags - Best advice is ... DONT try to save money here! It is always possible to cool off if you buy a sleeping bag rated to a temperature below the environement...but COLD IS ALWAYS TOO COLD!



Tents - You already have one BUT Gore-Tex is making a fabric called "Air Perm" that works fabulously at reducing condensation. Outdoor Designs makes a line of tents (not bivys) in this fabric that are not imported into the US. If you can order one from abroad, I suggest it.



Safety - This is obvious but when in a cold environment, I always like to have multiple sources of fire available for me at ALL times and places. Keep a supply of waterproof and windproof matches as well as bic and zippo lighters with a small package of kindling distributed in all jackets, pants, and packs to be worn. Do the same with an extra round or two of ammo and food (power-bars). I hate to open myself up to flames as some hate technology seeping into a hunting camp but, a good cell or sat phone in truly remote areas is also a necessity. Make sure you have a secondary (ideally solar) power source for this equipment. It's one thing to be able to survive a cold night on the mountain with a broken leg....its another to make a phone call and know that you wont be spending two or more.



Hope this helps ...



Best,



JohnTheGreek

SteveM70: One thing I learned the hard way was to be sure to "season" or burn a couple of fires in the stove before you take it out camping for real. You'll be surprised how much crap you will burn off the stove. I took a wood stove camping once and lit the first fire in it the first night we were camping. You couldn't stand to be in the tent because of the smoke and stink. It was a good thing it wasn't really cold or we would have been screwed. Have fun, wall tent camping can be great fun. Gary T.