Camping

[JerryO]

I hope to tent camp alot this year and this is new to me. If sleeping in a sleeping bag in the tent and having the sleeping bag on a air mattress how cold can it get at night and still be comfortable.


Thanks

[JP]

Check your sleeping bag for what its rated. Most cheapos that you pick up at Wally World for 20 or 30 bucks are rated for 40 degrees. They are nice summer bags but don't count on em keepin you warm, even in 40 degrees! I like to buy the 0 degree bags for fall and winter camping--. I've camped in 10 degrees and in 95 degrees---its ALL comfortable as long as I'm not at work! :D

[jarhedhntr]

JerryO,
Here is a tip about what to wear in the sleeping bag. I learned the hard way overseas not to wear much of anything while in the bag at night. If you have a good bag that keeps you warm, extra clothing will make you sweat and get cold in the bag. I used to sleep in just underwear and a sock cap. It sucks right as you get in the bag, but you body heat will warm up the bag quickly. Keep you clothes under you, or in the bottom of the bag to keep them warm for the morning. It might be cold getting dressed but it is better than waking up shivering in you sleeping bag and being miserable all night.

[Louhunter]

The big problem is the air mattress. The air inside the mattress will get near the same temperature as the air in the tent/ground. If it is a warm/hot summer night it could be confortable, but in the cold it is bad news. Your body is already compressing the sleeping bag where it comes on contact with the pad and ground lessing the bags ability to retain "your" warmth. This is why mountaineers, backcountry skiers, and hunters should use something like a closed cell therma-rest pads, or the self inflatable pads. The closed cell padding will act as an insulator between you and the ground. The previous suggestion of not wearing "alot" of clothes is pretty good. Camping in cold I usually wear my capline underwear, wool socks, and most importantly a stocking cap. The cap is important because you loose most of you heat via you head and neck.
Another consideration when camping in cold climate, is tent location. Remember your science class, cold air falls, hot air rises. In cold temps do not place your tent in low areas, which is where the coldest air will fall and trap until the sun of the days warms things back up... Another trick is to add a layer of insulation to the tent itself, like newspaper, blanket, or rugs. Also consider the size of the tent you are using. In cold temps the smallest tent helps with holding in some of the warmth you body creates.
And lastly, eat before bed. Remeber your sleeping bag is only holding in the heat your body creates. The bag keeps you warm, but does not create heat for you. Eating candy bars, fruit, ect before bed allows your body to create more heat from the fuel you just added. I actually keep a candy bar close at hand to eat during the night. On the other hand avoid alcohol before bed, not just because you have to getup and go to the bathroom, but alcohol slows down your circulation leading to a cold night.

Keep warm...

[jarhedhntr]

Keep a large water bottle near you so you don't have to get up and pee. But remember, it is only warm for a few minutes then it cools off.

[jarhedhntr]

By the way, the above process takes alittle practice before mastering. Try it sitting up first.

[JP]

JerryO,
Here is a tip about what to wear in the sleeping bag. I learned the hard way overseas not to wear much of anything while in the bag at night. If you have a good bag that keeps you warm, extra clothing will make you sweat and get cold in the bag. I used to sleep in just underwear and a sock cap. It sucks right as you get in the bag, but you body heat will warm up the bag quickly. Keep you clothes under you, or in the bottom of the bag to keep them warm for the morning. It might be cold getting dressed but it is better than waking up shivering in you sleeping bag and being miserable all night.

You got that right. underoos and sock hat....I've also replaced the sock hat with ski mask :D Nonetheless....as little clothes as possible is a good motto when you're in the sleeping bag....in almost any situation :D :p but its a hard thing to convince and you usually just have to learn by freezing your jock off......like I did.

If its BITTER cold...I like the mummy bags....but in ANY other situation, I hate 'em.

[JP]

By the way, the above process takes alittle practice before mastering. Try it sitting up first.

haha...I'm afraid to try...peeing on my sleeping bag ain't gonna keep me no warmer :D :D

[trust me]

I'm the worst sort of sissy when it comes to sleeping in th cold. I've got a down mummy bag that I slip inside an oversized coleman bag. Together they give me enough insulation from the ground to get me through a 20-30 degree night. I've never tried it any colder and don't plan to.

It's also a good idea to unzip and air out a bag during the day. Your sweat can really accumulate in a bag if you got too warm and it needs to evaporate before you climb back in the next night.

[kyfanatic]

I've slept outside in -25 degree F weather before during the winters of 77' & 78' before,lived through a winter survival course when I was younger,with three matches,a pocket knife,and a fishhook and some string for a week in the snow and cold,but I honestly can't tell you how I ever did it today and really would never want to again unless there was no other choice.

My bed is much to comfortable!!!

Never walk drunk through Red River Gorge in the dark with a cheap flashlight!!!