this post was submitted on 05 Sep 2024
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Get a 0⁰ up to -20⁰ sleeping pad so the ground isn't sapping heat from you, wear warm clothes inside of it, and be ready to do some situps in the middle of the night to trap some heat in there, and you should be good. Personally, if I am going to be camping at any temp below freezing, I'll go for a zero or -20 bag since I have one, but a good sleeping pad and fleece base layers add a lot of protection whatever bag you're in.
From my experience I would say don't wear warm clothes in your sleeping bag. Just wear a light pair of thermal underwear (top and bottom) and some socks. Put your clothes into the bag with you to keep them warm but don't wear them. That way when you wake up and put on those clothes you actually feel warm. If you wear clothes in your sleeping bag you'll feel cold after you get out of your sleeping bag.
Sure, if you have a sleeping bag that's warm enough. If you need the layers to sleep, you just gotta cope with a cold morning and get moving as quick as you can to heat up. Just saw that OP is car camping, but stuffing a tent, sleeping bag, and pad first thing every morning is always enough to get me warmed up in whatever layers I have on, if I am moving camp.
I car camp. I have a 6" foam pad.
That should help with the ground. I guess my advice would be to get out there and try it once before it's your coldest season. See if you're comfy at 40⁰ and then take your best guess about another 8⁰
Sounds like a plan. I'm currently at 7000 feet so I'm about to find out.
Good luck!