Re: Coldest temperature you've ever camped in?

Paul opined that "My feeling about cold is that it's not camping but survival after you get down to 10 ABOVE or even 20 ABOVE depending on gear and conditions. "

Well, I have to disagree strongly with you there. If you are not prepared or experienced, it can be survival at 40, 50, 60, or any temperature. I have, thankfully, only had to participate in one body recovery, and that was of a 250 pound lineman who, along with his buddies on the team and some cute cheerleaders, had gone hiking with a case of beer on a 40 deg, drizzly day, attired in T-shirts and shorts (all cotton). Hypothermia just waiting to happen, but "real macho men" can take it.

If you are equipped and know what you are doing, -40 is plenty comfortable. I and many others do it fairly frequently, and no, we are not heroes, super macho, or anything of the sort.

As for the folks you found frozen in their cars, I have to ask - what condition were their cars in (properly maintained for cold conditions? coolant matched to those temperatures?)? Did they have proper clothing for being outside in those temperatures, or were they depending on their car heaters and the car working properly? Were they experienced in driving in those conditions, with a car properly equipped for those conditions (proper tires, studs, chains, 4WD)? Did they take account of having to drive through the potential snow drifts?

As a Trooper, I presume you had been trained for such conditions, and that you were equipped and clothed appropriately (else, you wouldn't have been out, or the department was negligent in equipping and training you). If you, as a public servant, charged with protecting and assisting the public were just surviving, then I would ask serious questions of your agency and the legislature. Clearly, you could not do your sworn duty if you were barely surviving yourself.

Daily life is dangerous, whether it is due to cold, tornadoes, or our local hazards, earthquakes and wildfires (I drove through a wildfire on the way back from New Mexico yesterday - not a problem, since the CHP directed us through ... well, except for the lookyloos who paid more attention to the fires than their driving). If you are trained, experienced, and equipped, the danger is reduced. It is impossible to avoid all risk - just being born guarantees that you will eventually die. You have to educate yourself to what the risks are, make your choices, and prepare accordingly.

As a (former?) Trooper, Paul, you more than anyone else here are aware that just driving or riding in a car on the streets and highways is one of, if not THE, highest risk in our everyday lives. I have lost more fellow climbers and backpackers in car accidents on the way to and from the trailhead than in the backcountry. But I don't see you suggesting we stay out of our cars.