As the leaves fall rapidly from the trees, the temperature drops and the deer bark their rutting calls; my thoughts are now turning to preparations for the winter. I learnt a lot from last years excursions during the winter months.

Fire-lighting skills become more challenging as the wood dampens and of course the cold affects nearly everything you do. In the UK it’s more often than not a damp cold rather than a sharp dry cold. The combination of wet and wind were the main issues that I had to contend with. Temperature wise, last year was quite mild, but who knows what this winter will bring.

Preparations so far have included sorting out some winter clothing. I’ve not actually purchased much more in the way of winter kit. I’m going to rely on the layering system that worked well last year.

I’ll wear a base layer T-shirt to wick away any sweat (although I might get a closer fitting long sleeved Ulfrotte type under shirt) and a thin fleece shirt over that. For a mid-layer, I’ve purchased a Dockers wool sweater. I still can’t justify £60 for a Swaandri, although I appreciate the good reports that they constantly have. The wool sweater will replace the mid-layer fleece I had last year, which was too thick. The top layer will be my good old waxed jacket or an alternative jacket for use when tracking. I’m a bit dubious about the Highlander poncho. Last year I wasn’t too happy with it, so I bought an ex-Brit army poncho for £7 which is more heavy-weight and will make a much better basha if need be. I’ll try these ponchos out side by side.

Neck wear (so important but often forgotten) will be the ever-present buff or for colder weather the shemagh or the excellent head-honcho purchased last year.

Leg wear will be the thick cargo trousers also from last year and long johns for extreme cold.

For headwear, I’ll stick to my fleece “over-the-ears” hat for colder weather but I did additionally buy an extreme cold weather hat for £6 from the surplus store. I will test this out as well. It won’t win any fashion prizes, but it will certainly keep the frost attacking what little hair I’ve got left. I’ll stick to my canvas hat or Tilley T3 for wet weather. For evening and night wear, I’ll swap this out for a woollen hat again substituting the fleece hat from last year.

I suffer badly from cold extremities, and found that leather gloves were pretty useless when they got wet. This year, I’ll try some fleece over-gloves, but I want to find some cheap woollen mits that I can make fingerless.

Footwear will be the £8 rubber boots or wellies I bought last year with the insulated inner socks. If I’m walking anywhere, the Rogue Rangers will have to do. They’re certainly not 4 season (more like 2 season) but they will have to do. I’ve been busy trying to make these as water resistant as possible by covering them with dubbin.

Sleeping arrangements won’t change at all. I’ll still use the hammock and tarp. I found this combination no problem last year except when it got really windy and wet at the same time. I’m on the lookout for a cheap and quickly erectable shelter like a pop-up bivvi or even a fishing shelter (like the pic). I can then sit in it, work on projects during the day while protected from the elements especially in more open ground. It won’t take the place of the tarp, but it might provide a bit more all round protection. Of course the Nanok -10 will replace the 2 season bag. I’m looking forward to trying this out properly as I only received it in the spring as temperatures were beginning to rise.

I also want to try sleeping in just the bivvi bag with no other shelter this winter. That’ll be fun!

Bring on the winter… Pablo’s nearly ready!!

Pablo.