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Hi, this may sound really stupid, but we've just bought (second hand) a canvas frame tent - a DeWit Sport.  It states that it is 'all seasons'.  Anyway, we just can't wait to try it out, but the earliest we can do this is November.  Does anyone know or been camping under canvas so late in the year?

Hi Anita.

Welcome. You should find everythign you will need to know somewhere on these boards.

Rex is a font of knowlege, as is Val (Valk Scot) and many others. They give invaluable advice and you can be sure whatever they tell you works.

So long as you have the right equipment I don't see any reason why you can't camp all year round.

Quote: Originally posted by dadsbeaniemad on 27/9/2008

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So long as you have the right equipment I don't see any reason why you can't camp all year round.

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Hi Anita & welcome to the forum

That tent should be fine for winter camping, unless we have gale force winds  which is highly unlikely in November.

However, you will probably need some form of heating. EHU with skirting heater in bedroom & either a fan heater or oil filled radiator in the living area would be best, but as it's a canvas tent you could alternatively use a gas heater - canvas breathes, so the gas heater wouldn't cause a bad condensation problem as with synthetic tents.

You will need 4 season sleeping bags, or 3 season bags with a duvet on top. Self inflating mats, or airbed with fleece blanket on top. If it's really cold, you may need to use propane gas for cooking, rather than calor. Take thermals, fleeces, warm socks and a hat too.

However, the weather can be quite mild in November, so here's hoping 

Hi All

Thanks for your help,  I feel more confident about it now.  I've not been on any forums before so I'm not quite sure how they work, but I was surprised with getting responses so quickly, particularly from you Rex!

Friends I have spoken to about it thought I was more than a tad doolally for wanting to camp in winter - I don't feel so stupid now!

Anyway thanks once again, you've all been a great help - I'll let you know how we get on.

Happy camping!

Anita

Hi Anita

Welcome to the forum

The best way to keep warm while winter camping is not to get cold in the first place. Once you are cold it is difficult to warm yourself up. The advice on sleeping arrangements is good but make sure you have the right clothing and when it really gets cold wear a hat in bed as most of your body heat is lost through your head!

The best clothing we have found is made from Merino wool. Its not cheap but worth it weight in gold. You can wear it for days and you wont get niffy! It really does regulate your body temperature extremely well

Take a look at Icebreak. We have the Skin 200 range for spring and autumn and the  Skin 260 range for Winter

Hi anita.  My case is a bit unusual, but I have been on winter survival training in Norway in Jan/Feb.  We didn't use tents, but dug snow holes or lived under a tarp stretched over a hollow.  As everyone else has said, it's all down to equipment.

You need something to shelter you from wind and precipitation.  You need something to keep the chill off (in a snow hole ths can be something as simple as a candle - obviously in a tent this would be a fire hazzard ).  You need something to stop your body warmth escaping (layers are the best for this as they trap air which then warms up and you can shed them if you get too warm).  You may want to invest in some kind of toilet system so that you don't have to leave your tent due to call of nature in the middle of the night.

Enjoy,

Sabalias

Quote: Originally posted by pauljacey on 29/9/2008

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top shout dave-t merino wool is the gear and it doesn't end up stinky like man made fibers. Bought a howies top in a sale at the weekend.

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Since we discovered Merino we would not wear anything else! literally

Wearing it as a base layer really does regulate body temperature and will keep you warm when it is cold as well as keep you cool and dry when its not. Most importantly it won't irritate your skin and it won't hold odur !!!

I read somewhere that someone wore Icebreaker base layers for 40+ days in a row and they still didn't niff - oh it's on the side of the box

OMG I`ve just lookes at the Howies link...........how expensive are the kids baselayers?????

They`ll just have to smell

Quote: Originally posted by u400jb9 on 30/9/2008

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OMG I`ve just lookes at the Howies link...........how expensive are the kids baselayers?????

They`ll just have to smell

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