Winter Hiking - Epic Failures... A Noobs Hard Lessons Learned

[mbiraman]

Thanks Raul; As someone who hasn't hung in the winter every person's experience whether its you ,Shug, Mac, Beep, Don etc helps me in the little details. Most, if not all of the parks around here are closed in the winter and access is a problem in many places so i've been looking at setting up a few semi-permanent spots ..stealth. Have also been looking at a canvas tarp tent/cover with small stove but am a ways from that yet. Thanks for the info WM.

bill

[ShadowAlpha]

Was going to post in a new thread but figured I'd throw it out here..

Raul & others who have slept in freezing or below temps --- I see in temps below freezing you are using extra layers of clothing to sleep. I have in the past slept with hoodie & down jacket, fleece socks etc.. but have also slept with no socks, shorts & a tank top in freezing temps - putting my clothes at bottom of sleeping bag to dry and/or keep warm for easy access when wanting to get out of bag.

I found with less clothes my body heat along with my insulation kept me warmer.

has anyone tried sleeping without extra layers in during freezing or below temps?
does it work better than wearing extra layers? or not?

[Doody]

This year will be my first flirtations with winter camping.(well, other than ice fishing in an ice house. Always drill and extra hole for the beer) I've been thinking about making a pulk for the last couple years but haven't made the plunge yet. Seems like it would be easier to thermo-regulate without a giant pack on your back.

[Raul Perez]

Shadowalpha,

In both blogs I mention this. I find being in my base layers heat up the sleeping bags more efficiently and lasts longer. But a good meal high in fat is the key it seems.

[Rug]

has anyone tried sleeping without extra layers in during freezing or below temps?
does it work better than wearing extra layers? or not?

I have tried it, and no it didn't work for me. Perhaps I am too fat, but I find that my TQ isn't quite wide enough for me. Throughout the night, as I move around; the quilt will move away from me and create an air gap that the cold rushes in to chill. This most often happens at my shoulders, hips, and all the way down to my knees. I have even tried tying the corners of the TQ together and behind me, but it doesn't work quite right. As a result on most trips I bring along a thick fleece blanket that I wear like a shawl (sp?) over my shoulders and across my chest. This works very well for me and adds ALOT of additional warmth to my night.

I bought a silk bag-liner and am looking forward to testing it to address this problem.

[Lepmeister]

Thanks WM,
Whilst we don't get anywhere as cold down here in OZ, great lessons to take on board.

[Sidewinder]

I really learn a lot from you and I appreciate your willingness to share your successes as well as failures.

Thanks for taking the time to write. I felt as if you were talking directly to me.

~S~

[jerseydave]

Good stuff, thanks for the education through experimentation.

jd

[Marius357]

nice write up thanks for being the test erm.. monkey, seems like you are getting your system well dialed in.

[DuctTape]

Was going to post in a new thread but figured I'd throw it out here..

Raul & others who have slept in freezing or below temps --- I see in temps below freezing you are using extra layers of clothing to sleep. I have in the past slept with hoodie & down jacket, fleece socks etc.. but have also slept with no socks, shorts & a tank top in freezing temps - putting my clothes at bottom of sleeping bag to dry and/or keep warm for easy access when wanting to get out of bag.

I found with less clothes my body heat along with my insulation kept me warmer.

has anyone tried sleeping without extra layers in during freezing or below temps?
does it work better than wearing extra layers? or not?

I rarely add clothing for sleeping. In general, I remove more when I get into my bag. In the dead of winter up here (sub-zero) I sleep in light thermals, wool socks and a knit hat.