A good nights rest after a long hike? It won't happen if you're too darn cold to get to sleep! by Perry Keenan
Sleeping outdoors can be miserable unless you follow these basic rules for staying warm in a sleeping bag.
* REMEMBER: The sleeping bag doesn't heat you, you heat it. So use this rule, "Thickness is warmth", to keep this heat. If you're cold outdoors, add some more insulation (blankets, clothes, more newspaper).
* DO NOT SLEEP IN BOTTOM OF BAG: Your breath contains water. If you close your bag with your head inside, then this water sticks to the bag. Wear a hat to keep your head warm.
* CHANGE CLOTHES: NEVER sleep in wet clothes. Even perspiration will chill you at night.
* EAT A CANDY BAR: This increases your metabolism (moves your blood faster) and it helps keep you warm.
* GO TO THE BATHROOM BEFORE BED: This saves you a middle of the night trip in the cold.
* DO NOT DRY "WET" CLOTHES IN YOUR SLEEPING BAG: Moisture will travel from wet clothes to sleeping bag.
* PUT TOMORROW'S CLOTHES UNDER YOUR SLEEPING BAG: This heats up clothes for tomorrow's cold morning and also provides more insulation.
* FLUFF UP YOUR SLEEPING BAG: Always fluff up bag before using to create the thickness important in keeping warm.
* MOST IMPORTANT, KEEP IT DRY: Keep all your sleeping gear dry and follow these rules, and sleeping outdoors should prove to be a rewarding experience for all.
IMPORTANT OUTDOOR TIPS TO KEEPING WARM.
1. Clothing does not make you warm; it is your body processes that keep you warm. Clothing merely provides the insulation to preserve your warmth.
2. Layered thickness is warmth.
3. Keep your torso warm so that it can send heat to the extremities.
4. Avoid sweating by ventilation.
5. Keep rain and wind out of your insulation.
6. Use your head. Keep it covered when you're cold; remove cap as you warm up to avoid sweating.
7. Strain one muscle against another to maintain metabolism.
8. Wool clothing is best but needs wind protection, synthetics are next best: Down is OK as long as it stays dry, cotton is a poor choice.
9. If your feet are cold put a hat on.
10. Remember the word "COLD""
Keep your clothing: Clean Avoid: Overheating Wear clothing: Loose Keep it: Dry
Sleeping outdoors can be miserable unless you follow these basic rules for staying warm in a sleeping bag.
* REMEMBER: The sleeping bag doesn't heat you, you heat it. So use this rule, "Thickness is warmth", to keep this heat. If you're cold outdoors, add some more insulation (blankets, clothes, more newspaper).
* DO NOT SLEEP IN BOTTOM OF BAG: Your breath contains water. If you close your bag with your head inside, then this water sticks to the bag. Wear a hat to keep your head warm.
* CHANGE CLOTHES: NEVER sleep in wet clothes. Even perspiration will chill you at night.
* EAT A CANDY BAR: This increases your metabolism (moves your blood faster) and it helps keep you warm.
* GO TO THE BATHROOM BEFORE BED: This saves you a middle of the night trip in the cold.
* DO NOT DRY "WET" CLOTHES IN YOUR SLEEPING BAG: Moisture will travel from wet clothes to sleeping bag.
* PUT TOMORROW'S CLOTHES UNDER YOUR SLEEPING BAG: This heats up clothes for tomorrow's cold morning and also provides more insulation.
* FLUFF UP YOUR SLEEPING BAG: Always fluff up bag before using to create the thickness important in keeping warm.
* MOST IMPORTANT, KEEP IT DRY: Keep all your sleeping gear dry and follow these rules, and sleeping outdoors should prove to be a rewarding experience for all.
IMPORTANT OUTDOOR TIPS TO KEEPING WARM.
1. Clothing does not make you warm; it is your body processes that keep you warm. Clothing merely provides the insulation to preserve your warmth.
2. Layered thickness is warmth.
3. Keep your torso warm so that it can send heat to the extremities.
4. Avoid sweating by ventilation.
5. Keep rain and wind out of your insulation.
6. Use your head. Keep it covered when you're cold; remove cap as you warm up to avoid sweating.
7. Strain one muscle against another to maintain metabolism.
8. Wool clothing is best but needs wind protection, synthetics are next best: Down is OK as long as it stays dry, cotton is a poor choice.
9. If your feet are cold put a hat on.
10. Remember the word "COLD""
Keep your clothing: Clean Avoid: Overheating Wear clothing: Loose Keep it: Dry
Comments