Re: 3-season tent use

I haven't used a winter tent either, and don't consider myself much of a winter camper. I tried it a couple times last winter - these were my first real "winter" trips.

On one trip I was camped at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. There was a steady snow and light breeze during most of the time I was there, with temps in the 30's during the day and down to mid teens at night.

The other trip was at Sequoia National Park, where it was cloudy, the air felt damp, and down in the 20's at night.

So neither was a true winter "expedition", and neither was "all that cold" by "real winter" standards. But, still, it was "winter camping" for me :).

Anyway, to my point. I used my 3-season Mountain Hardwear Skyview 1.5, Marmot Couloir (0F) bag, ridged ensolite style pad & Mountain Hardwear pad.

I was plenty warm sleeping at night. My main issues were how to keep my hands and feet warm while in camp - especially while doing things like cooking & cleaning, where I couldn't very well wear gloves.

The only real "issue" I had at night was my breathing caused condensation which made the area around my face on the sleeping bag all wet and clammy, so it didn't feel very pleasant. I ended up keeping the tent pretty well opened up for ventilation, which did help some. The Skyview has LOTS of screening, but with the fly on the tent is pretty sheltered.

I also felt sweaty at times in side the bag, but with the cold weather I coulndn't very well open the zipper, because then I got too cold.

I'm not sure if a 4-season tent would have changed that at all.

I guess my feeling now is winter camping adds a new sense of "adventure" to outdoor trips, but I still much prefer nice dry summer weather :).