Lowest temp UK hang record

[Highbinder]

Damn I wish I could try this with you guys! I hung at -5 last November (I think?), and then again at about -10 over Christmas. A lot of fun and a damn site more comfortable (especially whilst cooking and eating before bed) than my friends who are ground dwellers, the benefits of a hot seat when it's that cold can not be overstated. I remember seeing -16/-17 a few times on my commute to work across greater Glasgow so I'm sure you'll be able to find some beasty temperatures into the Highlands

I was hanging with a down UQ from unsponsored (I'd rate as a 2/3 season as I sleep cold), a thermarest, -5 down sleeping bag, blanket, and layering up my sleep wear to wool longjohns & top plus, plus MOD arctic socks, a microfleece and a down bodywarmer as necessary, wool liner gloves, wool buff, and two hats.

I think if I were to plan going out into those kinds of temperatures I'd invest in a 4 season UQ, adding a thermarest is a poor solution as it really reduces the ease and comfort of the lay IMO. A fleece liner would be another addition, and maybe a second poncho so I could rig doors to try and raise the ambient temperature within the shelter. A couple of tea light lanterns could be a good addition too.

I'd like to try Shug's frost bib as well. On the first trip I wrapped a scarf around my face and woke up with it crisp with frost and ice. Not pleasant but better than an icey sleeping bag. Not sure how reliable the bib would be through the night as invariably I turn over in my sleep.

 

[kiltedpict]

I'm wondering if a frontier stove could be taken up on a sledge? Must look out for a decent one. If there is nae much snow then the bike trailer will be a god-send...

 

[Retired Member southey]

any of you guys near Forres, have a look in the recycling bit at the tip, they always had loads of old skis and kit where people were binning old kit to buy new round this time, could maybe make a pulk type thing, or mods for a bike trailer or just grab some super cheap ski fun!

 

[Pandabean]

Thanks TeePee. I was thinking of trying a couple nights out in the garden when the snow comes. However it will be on the ground unless I try and rig the hammock stuff up in the small common play park just behind the house - only used by the school and the kids of the 8 houses that we have.

How would you guys rate the following for the cold weather? It does seem similar to the kit lists above.

British Army Pat 58 Sleeping Bag - Down or a SnugPak Elite 3
DD Hammock
DD Tarp - Thinking of maybe closing the ends off somehow by bringing the corners in
SnugPak UQ - No idea how much of a rating this has.
AlpKit Slim Airic Air Mat

 

[Retired Member southey]

under quilt,airmat in hammock, 58 bag on top with feet in foot box, take some woolens to wear in bed along with some big socks and thin gloves, snuggy!

 

[kiltedpict]

any of you guys near Forres, have a look in the recycling bit at the tip, they always had loads of old skis and kit where people were binning old kit to buy new round this time, could maybe make a pulk type thing, or mods for a bike trailer or just grab some super cheap ski fun!

Good idea. I'm from Nairn so visit often enough.. It would mean a wee detour as use the Lecht road but might be a worthy venture.

 

[Retired Member southey]

I also grabbed a set of Fischer skis from Craigdon mountain sports shop in Inverness for £50, built my own Tele set with them them, never had bindings on but were two seasons old and just what I wanted, they seemed to have a few deals on old kit too, the Forres and Elgin charity shops were a gold mine of tweeds too!

 

[kiltedpict]

Never tried skiing- thinking about some snow shoes if weather necessitates- must start googling them soon....

 

[Teepee]

@Panda- I agree with Southey, you should be able to sleep out in that gear OK, I'd say it would be good for me down to about -10 with little wind, maybe a bit lower. Being close to home, you can bail out if your chilly. Theres no better way of finding out what works mate, go for it!

Never tried skiing- thinking about some snow shoes if weather necessitates- must start googling them soon....

I've always fancied some decent snowshoes, they seem a bit few and far between over here though. Amazon.com seems good for them and they are reliable shipping over here IME.

Reading lots of reviews, the Atlas 1230's look very good for me, as do MSR lightning ascents. The heel lifter looks a godsend for tramping up steeps. Not cheap though!

Google MSR snowshoes, theres a UK shop doing the MSR's at really good prices. I need the 30" jobs though as I'm not flyweight and they only have 22"-25", so Amazon looks likely.

 

[Retired Member southey]

Or there's always these little beasts! Army issue snow shoes

 

[Pandabean]

I will give it a go this winter. If we get plenty of snow...which I hope for I may go for another quinze and see if I can spend a night in it. Although bit worried about it collapsing in on me.

With regards to bivying in the snow, surely the build up of snow around you will have an affect on the tarp in terms of the weight?

As for snowshoes, I picked up a cheap pair of NATO snowshoes (like the ones in Southey's link) last year but never got the chance to use them properly. No idea how good they are but will find out soon. They are bear paw in design, which is good for wooded areas where you have to turn alot, but for cross country you need the long and narrow ones with the tails or without

For the wooden snow shoes its very rare to find them in the UK, they have been something I have wanted to try for the past couple of years.


Is anyone else getting weird comments from other people when you mention you are looking forward to the winter or is it just me?

 

[Retired Member southey]

hahaha weird looks are par for the course!! with regard to you tarp think of Nordic roofs, steep pitch to shed most of the snow, you loose foot print but you maintain a roof,

 

[Shewie]

These look easy enough ...

http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Snowshoes/

Just nail a couple of planks to a pair of trainers and job done

 

[Pandabean]

Or you could just do that.

 

[Shewie]

These guys might be a good one stop shop, cheap snowshoes and some interesting looking sledges with pulk potential ...

http://www.sledges.co.uk/22-snow-shoes-by-morpho

 

[Retired Member southey]

Some people make you sick, My brother is one of them, here is his pulk from a sledge,

belt off old climbing harness,

Here is them setting up for the off,

Really should get over there for a visit!

git

 

[andybysea]

here's a couple of pics of the area around Bob scott's Bothy,

1st right near bothy

2nd a short distance away,

had a few days walking around there and sleeping in the bothy a couple of years ago very nice place.

 

[Teepee]

These guys might be a good one stop shop, cheap snowshoes and some interesting looking sledges with pulk potential ...

http://www.sledges.co.uk/22-snow-shoes-by-morpho

I like the look of the high fronted one mate. I just pulled the trigger on one of these

Some people make you sick, My brother is one of them, here is his pulk from a sledge,

belt off old climbing harness,

Here is them setting up for the off,

Really should get over there for a visit!

git

Your brothers roof box looks like a much better sledge than the one hes towing!

Some good mods there Southey, very timely too. I'm going for rope, the walk in is pretty flat.



Thanks for the pics Andy, thats great

It can be limited for hanging in the summer with all the wood ants, I've never seen as many in one place as a bit further up the valley. No worries in winter thankfully.

 

[Shewie]

Good find on that sledge mate, might grab one me sen
How do they manage to deliver them for that price?

I've got a load of seatbelt webbing if anyone needs some for a harness?

Are you up for the trip Andy?

 

[kiltedpict]

Loving the sledge... Gonna order one myself I reckon... Will mod some rope and crabs to attach to the hip belt of my rucksac (it detaches so you can take the lid of the sack and make a bum bag day pack thing) and the gear can go in the sledge.

Thinking about the Xarmy snow shoes too...