camping backpack ratings image
my45tysond
the temp should get down below 40 degrees my concern is keeping warm. suggestions on sleeping bags & tents that retain heat there seems to be such a variance in price on this Equipment
Answer
Some good advice above on the peeing before you go to sleep.
I wouldn't call 40 degrees exactly "cold weather camping"-- in fact that's a not uncommon overnight temperature in the Spring and Fall. I've backpacked in temps as low as 20 below zero and used to teach winter mountaineering skills so I'll give you some tips.
The best all round sleeping system is to use multiple bags layered together. An excellent source to start with is the Campmor catalog (http://www.campmor.com) which has a huge variety of bags and pads and good charts for comparing weights, dimensions and features. They often have dicontinued models which are quite affordable. I recommend that people starting out get a 20 degree rated mummy bag. Get down-filled if you can afford it and/or will be carrying it backpacking or bicycle touring because it will pack lighter and smaller. If you are on a budget or will be using it for a lot of wet weather camping or canoe or kayak touring, get polyester fill. This bag, with the proper ground pad, will keep you comfortable down to between 30 or 40 degrees, depending on how susceptible you are to cold. Bear in mind that most temp ratings on bags are a little optimistic, like by at least 10 degrees. Second, buy a lightweight slightly larger bag, probably an oversized mummy or even a rectangular bag, single layer polyfill and rated around 35 to 45 degrees --a "summer" bag in other words. Once you have these two bags you are ready for anything. In mild Spring and Fall trips you can use the 20 degree mummy, on warm Summer trips take the single layer 40 degree bag and for cold trips take both and put the mummy inside the larger bag.
Another addition if you really tend to sleep cold is to get a very lightweight polartec fleece bag (you can find these for around $20 in most sporting goods stores or Campmor or even make one yourself by folding a cheap fleece blanket in half and sewing across the bottom and half way up the side.) This can be tucked inside the inner bag for more warmth and is also handy around camp as a blanket to wrap around you in the evening (do be careful around campfires as these tend to be flammable -- a very light wool blanket is safer around fire or stoves.)
The advantage of the multiple bags is you can tailor the temp to your needs. If you wake up too warm at night (and this actually even happens on cold nights) you can slip the mummy out of the overbag and cool down a bit. The two lighter weight bags are also easier to carry than one large heavy winter-rated bag. I switched to this system 25 years ago and it has served me well. Lighter bags are also easier to launder in a regular washing machine than a big winter bag.
Your ground pad is highly important too -- you should use thin closed cell foam on the bottom (one common brand is called ensolite but you can also use the thin closed-cell pads they sell for yoga mats). This will block cold and heat transfer. Then put a thicker more comfortable foam pad on top for comfort. DON'T use an air mattress -- they actually will make you colder since they allow air movement and heat transfer.
Wear longjohns to sleep in, NOT COTTON but rather merino wool or wicking synthetic -- lightweight fleece athletic pants and top or even fleece lounge pajamas can work, plus a cap (I prefer a soft polartech fleece one) and fleece socks. Don't try to sleep wearing heavy bulky clothes. They will restrict circulation and make you uncomfortable. Some people just roll up their pile jacket to make a pillow but I prefer to carry a small polyfill pillow with a fleece cover that rolls up into it's own stuffsack. Besides for comfort, the pillow also helps block heat loss out the top of the bag. Some people recommend the "hot water bottle" technique but I've seen too many people have leaks and wet bags -- bring some of those chemical heat packs and tuck one in a sock or mitten and put it down near your feet if you need a little more warmth.
Actually, a backpacking tent can be very warm and cozy during a cold night. Because it is a small space, your body heat builds up fairly rapidly. I've never felt like we needed any artificial heat source in the tent no matter how cold it was. The hardest thing is getting up in the morning out of your toasty sleeping bag. That's another benefit of the two bag system -- you can tuck your clothes between the bags for extra warmth and to keep them warm for dressing the next day.
Happy camping! The great thing about sub-freezing camping is no bugs and you can carry most any food you want without it spoiling.
Some good advice above on the peeing before you go to sleep.
I wouldn't call 40 degrees exactly "cold weather camping"-- in fact that's a not uncommon overnight temperature in the Spring and Fall. I've backpacked in temps as low as 20 below zero and used to teach winter mountaineering skills so I'll give you some tips.
The best all round sleeping system is to use multiple bags layered together. An excellent source to start with is the Campmor catalog (http://www.campmor.com) which has a huge variety of bags and pads and good charts for comparing weights, dimensions and features. They often have dicontinued models which are quite affordable. I recommend that people starting out get a 20 degree rated mummy bag. Get down-filled if you can afford it and/or will be carrying it backpacking or bicycle touring because it will pack lighter and smaller. If you are on a budget or will be using it for a lot of wet weather camping or canoe or kayak touring, get polyester fill. This bag, with the proper ground pad, will keep you comfortable down to between 30 or 40 degrees, depending on how susceptible you are to cold. Bear in mind that most temp ratings on bags are a little optimistic, like by at least 10 degrees. Second, buy a lightweight slightly larger bag, probably an oversized mummy or even a rectangular bag, single layer polyfill and rated around 35 to 45 degrees --a "summer" bag in other words. Once you have these two bags you are ready for anything. In mild Spring and Fall trips you can use the 20 degree mummy, on warm Summer trips take the single layer 40 degree bag and for cold trips take both and put the mummy inside the larger bag.
Another addition if you really tend to sleep cold is to get a very lightweight polartec fleece bag (you can find these for around $20 in most sporting goods stores or Campmor or even make one yourself by folding a cheap fleece blanket in half and sewing across the bottom and half way up the side.) This can be tucked inside the inner bag for more warmth and is also handy around camp as a blanket to wrap around you in the evening (do be careful around campfires as these tend to be flammable -- a very light wool blanket is safer around fire or stoves.)
The advantage of the multiple bags is you can tailor the temp to your needs. If you wake up too warm at night (and this actually even happens on cold nights) you can slip the mummy out of the overbag and cool down a bit. The two lighter weight bags are also easier to carry than one large heavy winter-rated bag. I switched to this system 25 years ago and it has served me well. Lighter bags are also easier to launder in a regular washing machine than a big winter bag.
Your ground pad is highly important too -- you should use thin closed cell foam on the bottom (one common brand is called ensolite but you can also use the thin closed-cell pads they sell for yoga mats). This will block cold and heat transfer. Then put a thicker more comfortable foam pad on top for comfort. DON'T use an air mattress -- they actually will make you colder since they allow air movement and heat transfer.
Wear longjohns to sleep in, NOT COTTON but rather merino wool or wicking synthetic -- lightweight fleece athletic pants and top or even fleece lounge pajamas can work, plus a cap (I prefer a soft polartech fleece one) and fleece socks. Don't try to sleep wearing heavy bulky clothes. They will restrict circulation and make you uncomfortable. Some people just roll up their pile jacket to make a pillow but I prefer to carry a small polyfill pillow with a fleece cover that rolls up into it's own stuffsack. Besides for comfort, the pillow also helps block heat loss out the top of the bag. Some people recommend the "hot water bottle" technique but I've seen too many people have leaks and wet bags -- bring some of those chemical heat packs and tuck one in a sock or mitten and put it down near your feet if you need a little more warmth.
Actually, a backpacking tent can be very warm and cozy during a cold night. Because it is a small space, your body heat builds up fairly rapidly. I've never felt like we needed any artificial heat source in the tent no matter how cold it was. The hardest thing is getting up in the morning out of your toasty sleeping bag. That's another benefit of the two bag system -- you can tuck your clothes between the bags for extra warmth and to keep them warm for dressing the next day.
Happy camping! The great thing about sub-freezing camping is no bugs and you can carry most any food you want without it spoiling.
backpacking sleeping bag?
Derek
the next item on my "upgrade" list is my sleeping bag. currently, i have one of those rectangular sleeping bags meant for cabins or car camping, not really backpacking. but my money is low (especially with xmas shopping) and i wont be able to upgrade for a while. i think it weighs about 5 lbs ("i think" referring to "i cant dig the darn thing out of its home in the garage"), will this be ok for weather around 30F? still hoping for a backpacking trip in Mt Lemmon during winter break (hopefully!) i have sleeping pads and i was also looking into bag liners. opinions? advice? thanks!
i dont think its going to get all that cold. i live in arizona, even at 7000 ft elevation i would guess it wouldn't drop much below 20F
scratch last edit, weather is darn chilly up there now
Answer
It's dropped below 20*F here at sea level in the northeast. Given a standard lapse rate of -3.5*F per 1,000 ft, I imagine temperatures could be below zero at 7,000 ft. Were I you, I would be looking at purchasing a -0*F bag AND a thermal liner, and plan on wearing fleece pants, shirt and cap to sleep as well.
You need to keep in mind that at best, sleeping bag ratings are minimum survival temperatures: you will not die of hypothermia overnight but you will not be warm and comfortable without additional insulation. You need to add at least 10*F to the minimum rating to ensure comfort. Thermal liners can buy back some of that temperature rating, but do not expect miracles out of a thin liner. I have a +15*F liner and, at best, I think it buys me another 10*F. Plus liners are a PITA to get into and out of, particularly if you have an urgent need to visit a tree in the middle of the night.
When it comes to sleeping bags, the more you spend, the more compact they pack. You can buy a brand-name 0*F bag for around $100, but it will take up most of your backpack (e.g., North Face Elkhorn H.O.T. SL Trailhead). You're going to have to spend at around $300 for a good down bag if you value pack space and weight.
It's dropped below 20*F here at sea level in the northeast. Given a standard lapse rate of -3.5*F per 1,000 ft, I imagine temperatures could be below zero at 7,000 ft. Were I you, I would be looking at purchasing a -0*F bag AND a thermal liner, and plan on wearing fleece pants, shirt and cap to sleep as well.
You need to keep in mind that at best, sleeping bag ratings are minimum survival temperatures: you will not die of hypothermia overnight but you will not be warm and comfortable without additional insulation. You need to add at least 10*F to the minimum rating to ensure comfort. Thermal liners can buy back some of that temperature rating, but do not expect miracles out of a thin liner. I have a +15*F liner and, at best, I think it buys me another 10*F. Plus liners are a PITA to get into and out of, particularly if you have an urgent need to visit a tree in the middle of the night.
When it comes to sleeping bags, the more you spend, the more compact they pack. You can buy a brand-name 0*F bag for around $100, but it will take up most of your backpack (e.g., North Face Elkhorn H.O.T. SL Trailhead). You're going to have to spend at around $300 for a good down bag if you value pack space and weight.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
Title Post: cold weather tent camping. any helpful suggestions would be great?
Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
Rating: 95% based on 981 ratings. 4,6 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
No comments:
Post a Comment