Using A Hot Water Bottle To Stay Warm

**skistrees** · 08-26-2010, 08:07

Good reading this thread. Who'd think there was so much to say!

In winter I carry two one liter Nalagene bottles and one or two insulated cozies. I usually have a fire and boil water for purification anyhow as water filters tend to freeze in winter. The wide mouth of the Nalagenes make it easier to pour in the nearly boiling water. Set the bottle on a solid surface. Be careful about holding it by the cap as the keeper ring will easily slip off the bottle if you spill hot water on it. Screw on the cap carefully and firmly but not too tight or it will be really hard to get off in the morning. Bottle goes in the cozy or extra socks, then in sleeping bag to prewarm before bed. One goes by the feet the other between legs. Keeps your water form freezing overnight and keeps you toasty.

Another use: place hot bottles in your boots to keep them from freezing, tuck in the laces. Sure is nicer than putting on frozen boots in the morning and helps drive out moisture too.

Pee Bottle: I use an old "ultimate sport flask" it looks sort of like a regular bike bottle but doesn't look or feel like anything I drink out of. It has a really great lid that has never leaked on me (after I've leaked in it). The tapered neck reduces the chance of spills during operation. I've found I can use it right in my bag by laying on my side and making sure the bottle is tipped at a downward angle. I don't get quite as much pressure as when standing so the process may take a little longer. A bit of TP handy in case of any drips is not a bad idea. I then place the bottle outside unless I'm worried about it freezing in which case it stays in the bag with me.

**TNRat** · 08-28-2010, 16:24

While 'coon hunting we did this with limestone rocks. The down sides are the weight and need for being careful while playing with porous rocks and fires.

**PuckerFactor** · 08-28-2010, 23:24

One trick I found at last year's Mt. Rogers Hang was to put the hot water bottle inside my damp socks from that day. They were quite dry the next morning.

Acer

**Shug** · 08-28-2010, 23:27

It is necessary to sleep with your liquids here in a deep Minnesota Winter!
The hot water bottle surely makes life a bit more bearable in the TQ.
Shug

**Roadtorque** · 08-29-2010, 00:46

Does it matter if the bottle is half full or full to the top with boiling water? I didnt know if the air inside a half full bottle would cause a problem by expand after dumping the water in and screwing the camp on.

**TheWild** · 08-29-2010, 03:15

Great tip! It's actually SO simple and obvious now, but I've never thought about it

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**Just Jeff** · 08-29-2010, 10:19

As long as you don't boil water in the bottle with the cap on it, it won't matter if it's full or half-full.

**more** · 08-31-2010, 01:19

Originally Posted by Just Jeff

As long as you don't boil water in the bottle with the cap on it, it won't matter if it's full or half-full.

The only problem here is that the bottle is twice as large as it needs to be.

**blazin** · 09-10-2010, 12:32

Great idea. I've heard of that for years but have never tried it. Thanks for the reminder.

**dkperdue** · 09-10-2010, 20:13

Hot water bottle- Military collapsible 2 qt canteens work well. Very sturdy and the standard cover for them is insulated.
http://www.amazon.com/G-I-Tan-Qt-Col.../dp/B000GGZXI2

Pee bottle. Wide mouth white Tropicana bottle. I hang it off the outside of my pack when on the move. Several of other adult leaders and some of the Scouts (including my son) won't drink Tropicana OJ now as a result of knowing what Mr Perdue's bottle is for on camp-outs

DKPerdue