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[Meph]

Just wanted to ask if anyone has some insights to share, past experience with camping in winter. It poses a few extra challenges, like melting snow to get water, being unable to dry clothing or sleeping bag, and frostbite on fingers/toes. Plastic freezes and snaps, gas stoves dont work anymore, battery life is decreased and after ~ -20° C Lithium Ion batteries simply stop working.

I'm going with my bicycle through Siberia this winter, with -40° at night. I am well equipped and talked to people that have done similar tours, but I am curious what bay12 could add. The variety of forum users here is enorm and I have yet to see a thread that did not contain some form of useable information.

[Orange Wizard]

You're nuts.

...

I'm afraid I don't really have any advice, other than "don't freeze". Still, best of luck to you.

[Meph]

I'm not nuts, it's a perfectly reasonable idea. This summer I crossed the Sahara by bike (for the second time), and that was fine. Last winter I rode to Kiev from Germany, a little test ride before this one. Now I go from Germany to Japan in winter.

I will return from Japan to Germany via the Silkroad btw, info on that is welcome as well. But thats in summer, no issues there.

[LordBucket]

I've never done 40 below, but I'll throw out there that mylar space blankets require proper use to be effective. If you haven't already, I'd suggest spending some time reading and watching youtube videos about how they work. They're one-sided, and using the wrong side will be ineffective. And they don't stop conductive heat loss, so simply wrapping yourself in one and sitting down in the snow doesn't help much either. Whereas they will reflect radiated heat very effectively, so for example if you have a heat source, you can use them like a tarp to reflect that heat more effectively where you want it. But without a source of heat, if you're already cold, there will be very little heat for them to reflect. Lining the interior of a sleeping bag with one can help keep it retain heat, but you also don't want to wake up drenched in sweat and then be wet in the morning. They're waterproof, so they can be used to keep yourself dry. They can be used melt snow to collect water. You can tear off strips to wrap your feet under your socks to keep your feet and toes warm while on the move. Or other parts of you body, under the clothes not on top of them.

Useful little things, but again: they have to be used correctly.

[Meph]

They are unfortunately rather pointless on a 12 month tour. I am familiar with them, also with self-made ultralight sleeping bags that utilize them, but they rip easily and are not designed to be reuseable. They are regulars at adventure races that last a couple of days, but unsuitable for long term travel. Inside the tent they would work like VBLs, but I rather get an actual Vapor Barrier Linen, instead of improvising one. Same for shoes, Exped produces VBL socks. They are not even used to retain heat in that case, but to keep your socks dry from sweat.

I wont need to do DIY-clothing and insulation on this trip, for example my boots are rated to -74° C.

The cold itself will not be the problem, I wont die of hypothermia. Its more the little quirks that I need to figure out, and the sideeffects I might miss. Things like "take a spare pump for your stove" or "if you get a flat tire, you have to thaw your wheel first to get the rubber tire off the metal rim".

Most difficult will be heat regulation, I am doing heavy physical activity, so I sweat. I have to avoid that by all means, because I cant dry anything. It would simply freeze.

[Gentlefish]

Oh my god Meph I want your life. Um.

I don't know what I was going to add to this thread when I entered. So. PTW.

[Meph]

Oh my god Meph I want your life. Um.

Which part? The one that I spend with heavy physical work without getting paid for it, or the one where I study all day without getting a degree, or the one where I dont see friends and family for months (or year), or the one where I spend all my money on the three things above? Or the parts I spend alone in cold and dark Russia, sleeping in the middle of nowhere in a tent at -40°?

And its a free world, if you want, you can come join me to Japan. You just need a bicycle. Or, alternatively if you live somewhere between Germany and Japan, I could visit. I plan to visit deon in St.Petersburg, and HaterSkater (creator of the duerer tileset) in Moscow.

[Gentlefish]

Well. Mostly the "bike everywhere" part. I'd love to join you or even visit you but I'm in grand old same-everywhere-you-go America  . I'm planning on visiting both Germany and Japan at some point though

[Meph]

Not sure if you clicked on that link in my sig, but I did cycle across the US and wouldnt say its "the same everywhere you go". Your country is beautiful and the people quite open and helpful. Cycling infrastructure sucks and drivers have some strange road-rage against cyclists, but other than that it's nice. Quite diverse, too.

[WillowLuman]

PTW, for when I finally have the time and capital to do a bike trip longer than 30 miles. Good luck, Meph!

[pisskop]

I do wish to do the thing were I fufill my dreams of physical excellence in scenic ways.  Mine is rock climbing, but I bike recreationally.  Only ~10-15 miles a clip though.

I doubt I could offer anything about cold weather you didn't or couldn't look up.  Air pockets?  Using more than one layer of tenting to create a buffer for your heat?

[Meph]

PTW, for when I finally have the time and capital to do a bike trip longer than 30 miles. Good luck, Meph!

I just read a blog today about 2 people that travelled a year with an average budget of 3,3€ a day. Another person build a touring bike for ~25 british pounds. Dont let finances stop you. And time... every person has exactly the same amount of time.

I doubt I could offer anything about cold weather you didn't or couldn't look up.  Air pockets?  Using more than one layer of tenting to create a buffer for your heat?

As I mentioned before, retaining my bodyheat will not pose a challenge. It is among the least of my worries. I know it lends itself to "omg, u gonna freeze", but it's honestly a non-issue, because I have proper gear for it. Short of dunking myself into icewater, I think I'll be fine.

[WillowLuman]

Talking more about time where I don't have obligations to stay put. But once I get a job, I can start saving up.

[Caz]

You're sleeping outside at -40c? o_o

[Meph]

You're sleeping outside at -40c? o_o

Don't be silly. Of course not, I'll sleep in my tent. Why would I stay outside?