Ground Camping in Winter with a Hammock Tarp Setup
Channel: Snowcelt
Date: 2024-02-12

Gear Links
Thermarest Polar Ranger (Long) Sleeping bag: https://shorturl.at/jDI14

Hi folks! 

Welcome along on my coldest overnight winter camping adventure to-date! I decided to test my new sleeping bag, a Thermarest Polar Ranger, while tarp camping at Roosinniemi, in Teijo National Park, SW Finland.

Temperatures remained well below freezing throughout my hike and camp, dropping to a minimum of -18C during the night. I was quite apprehensive about tarp camping and ground sleeping in such conditions as I have always been cold on previous trips. 

To keep me warm in the tarp (DD Superlight XL), I planned to use a Thermarest NeoAir Xtherm sleeping pad plus a half-inch foam mat under me, combined with a Thermarest Polar Ranger sleeping bag and topped by a Revelation quilt from Enlightened Equipment. 

Unfortunately, this combination proved to be unsuccessful in keeping me warm and cozy all night mainly because I forgot to check my gear before leaving and brought my Trekology UL80 sleeping pad instead, one that has a very low insulative r-value and is essentially, a pad only suitable for summer.

I wasn't in any real danger as my sleeping bag is rated to a limit of -30C and my car was only a 20-minute walk away, in case things really got bad. 

So, I think that I was lucky it was only an uncomfortable night. Nevertheless, it was a superb learning experience, given that even had I brought my better sleeping pad, it might have leaked or been punctured and I would have been in a similar position. 

NB! 
I am not a survivalist, nor any type of bushcraft expert, let alone any sort of adrenaline junkie. I definitely do not recommend trying this out for fun. I have a pretty good set of gear and had just enough to get me through the night. At such temperatures, frostbite and hypothermia are very real hazards and NOT to be taken lightly! Therefore, in future I think I will avoid camping when the temperatures drop below -15C. 


 For the record, I purchased all of the gear in my videos with my own money and my opinions are solely my own.

The footage was filmed with a GoPro 11.

Come along with me on my adventures! You are most welcome! Check out my other videos, maybe give me a like, and consider subscribing. 

All the best, Kevin. :-)