Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => General Chat => Topic started by: DavidDoyle on March 02, 2016

Title: My first winter wild camping experience (27 Feb)
Post by: DavidDoyle on March 02, 2016
So I thought that I'd give winter wild camping a go, I had my reservations about it as my sleeping bag and tent are only rated 3 season and all of my previous wild camping trips had been in the warmer months.

We arrived at Carrick-Little and parked at the upper car park (£5 per night), apparently it has "secure" overnight parking, the security being a dog, no CCTV that I could see of. After the short hike along Annalong Valley we set up camp at the top end of Annalong wood about 400m from the path (grid ref 339 245).

I had a 3 man tent (Coleman Cobra 3) with me, I know, a bit of an overkill for solo camping and it was blue, so didn't blend in very well, but at least I had plenty of room. After setting up my tent I put on the floor a large padded space blanket to reflect heat back and then put my Mat (Exped SynMat Ultralite 7) and Sleeping bag (Snugpak Chrysalis 3) on top giving it plenty of time to loft.

My friend had just a hammock and fly sheet, too hardcore for me, but then he's camped in the Himalayas before so shouldn't be a problem for him.  We had a couple of hours of light remaining after setting up camp, so we decided that we would climb the nearby Rocky Mountain.

After climbing Rocky Mountain we returned back to our camp site and started gathering wood for the camp fire which did a really good job keeping me warm, next I cooked dinner on my gas stove which was Penne Pasta with sliced Mattessons Pre-Cooked Smoked Pork Sausage, lots of Grated Mature Cheese and a large dash of Tomato Puree. It was very tasty and beats my usual pot noodle, it was perfect food for keeping warm during the night because of its high fat content to burn off.

Finally I got into my tent and ready for bed (the part I was dreading the most, was I going to freeze to death? Who knows), the temperature in the tent when I checked was a toasty 3 degrees at 11pm (probably even lower during the night), so I put on my merino wool base layer, merino wool socks, a lightweight down jacket, hat and neck gaiter then filled a mini hot water bottle and got into my sleeping bag, ok, so now I'm too warm and had to take of my down jacket. It wasn't until around 5am that I felt a bit cold, so boiled some water to refilled my mini hot water bottle, which kept me warm until I got up at around 8am.

Breakfast was Crumpets and Poached Eggs with Azera instant coffee, ok its not my usual fresh coffee, but quite nice  for instant coffee. I usually bring Lyons Coffee Bags for camping (fresh ground coffee in a tea bag), but unfortunately my local Tesco didn't have them. After breaky it was time to pack up and head home.

Overall a very pleasant experience and no worse in terms of warmth and comfort than summer wild camping despite the near freezing temps outside.

View from Rocky Mountain
(http://daviddoyle.me/images/ni-wild/IMG_3268.JPG)

Camp
(http://daviddoyle.me/images/ni-wild/pics.jpg)

Tent temperature at 11pm
(http://daviddoyle.me/images/ni-wild/IMG_3285.JPG)

Breakfast
(http://daviddoyle.me/images/ni-wild/IMG_3286.JPG)

View in the Morning
(http://daviddoyle.me/images/ni-wild/FullSizeRender.jpg)
Title: Re: My first winter wild camping experience (27 Feb)
Post by: Fred on March 03, 2016
Hi David
Welcome to the world of winter camping, it looks like you had a good time. I think I prefer wither camping to summer, probably because there are no midges at this time of year.

Fred
Title: Re: My first winter wild camping experience (27 Feb)
Post by: DavidDoyle on March 03, 2016
Thanks Fred

Another benefit of winter camping is not getting waken by early sunrise.
Title: Re: My first winter wild camping experience (27 Feb)
Post by: whoRya on March 04, 2016
Hi David, looks like a fine little trip.  Winter camps are good since you're very aware that you are reliant on your food, water and shelter for survival.  It makes it all a bit more of an adventure. 

Another benefit of winter camping is not getting waken by early sunrise.

The benefit is that you can get to watch the sun rise (at a sensible hour).
Title: Re: My first winter wild camping experience (27 Feb)
Post by: Mourneman on March 05, 2016
Good job David,remember it was me told you about the mini hot water bottle and the Posh toilet.extreme winter camping tips-JS
Title: Re: My first winter wild camping experience (27 Feb)
Post by: DavidDoyle on March 06, 2016
Mini hot water bottle I already did, but the posh toilet was a great idea John :)
Title: Re: My first winter wild camping experience (27 Feb)
Post by: Darran on March 06, 2016
Looks great. Miniature hot water bottle, pfft!
Title: Re: My first winter wild camping experience (27 Feb)
Post by: DavidDoyle on March 06, 2016
I know, going to hang my head in shame now ;)
Title: Re: My first winter wild camping experience (27 Feb)
Post by: hillbilly on March 06, 2016
Most of me does not want ask this question but one bit has the veto on the rest. So I must  ask, (and that part by the way is my nosey inquisitive side). What is a posh toilet? Now I have been camping and outdoorsy living for all of my 50yrs and very few things have eluded me. But a posh toilet? Help. Fill me in the sordid details. Put me out of my inquisitive misery. Pm me if you must.lol
Title: Re: My first winter wild camping experience (27 Feb)
Post by: DavidDoyle on March 07, 2016
It's a Nalgene Water Bottle or a Wide Mouth Sports Bottle, saves going out in the freezing cold in the middle of the night for a pee. Though strictly for solo camping lol

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61lOjVxejWL._SY355_.jpg)
Title: Re: My first winter wild camping experience (27 Feb)
Post by: Darran on March 07, 2016
Is that what you mean by your hot water bottle?


You could earn some points back here  :P
Title: Re: My first winter wild camping experience (27 Feb)
Post by: hillbilly on March 07, 2016
A revelation.  At my age dehydration is the answer.lol.
Title: Re: My first winter wild camping experience (27 Feb)
Post by: Fred on March 08, 2016
I must remember never to buy any Nalgene bottles off you guys!

fred
Title: Re: My first winter wild camping experience (27 Feb)
Post by: RedLeader on March 08, 2016
Great stuff, can't beat a winter night out! Coffee bags are a new one on me, must try them sometime, it seems like a great idea.