Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Winter Camping and Activities :: Let's talk sleep systems
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Sparetime |
Thanks |
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TuscaroraBorealis |
Here are the components I have used. ~ My ground cloth is a footprint from an old tent I don't use much anymore. ~ on top of that is the large closed cell Thermarest Z-lite pad ~ I may throw down a fleece over that where my feet go. ~ My bag is the Marmot CWM Membrain . I got this bag at Thrifty Outfitters at 50% off. Throw in an additional 20% coupon and a $10 birthday coupon & wallah! I could "almost" afford it! ;-) ~ Just before going to bed I boil some water and fill my water cannisters. I then remove the liners from my boots and put them in there. Then put the liners with the cannisters inside of my bag down where my feet go. This serves a double purpose. It instantly heats up my bag & I have warm boots to put on in the morning. ~ I pile up the clothing I don't sleep in by my head. Then put my goose down pillow on top of that. ~ To bed I wear my Under Armour top & bottom, wool socks, & a balaclava. ~ Like butthead, I usually put a cloth of some sort in the neck area to capture the condensation from my breath. This has worked for me down to -40 |
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TuscaroraBorealis |
Obviously, I now use the Exped in all seasons. As well as providing extra warmth, the main incentive in winter for me was the added cushion from the ground. I guess I'm getting old? :( |
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McVacek |
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ZaraSp00k |
The biggest problem I have not solved is that at extreme temps frost develops around the breathing hole in the bag. At -25 the weak point in whatever system you use will make itself known, count on it. |
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Sparetime |
Anyway, I got cold with my summer bag (don't know the temp rating) and the Mr. Heater buddy didn't last long on the 1# cylinders. I have a few summer weight, synthetic fill bags. I am trying to decide if it would be better to go out and buy a dedicated winter bag or put two summer bags together. So I thought I'd just ask what other people are using? What do you use for your winter camping trips. I'm assuming a hot tent and letting the fire die out during the night. Another question, ground cloth, what are you using? |
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OBX2Kayak |
quote ZaraSp00k: "admit I pee like a race horse once I get up in the morning" Ahhh! I have fond memories of my youth when I could sleep all night and pee like a race horse in the morning. |
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OBX2Kayak |
quote CrookedPaddler1: " No mater how cold it is, get up and go pee!" My dad gave me this advice on our very first winter camping trip. It's possibly the best piece of advice he ever gave me. |
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TuscaroraBorealis |
quote OBX2Kayak: "quote ZaraSp00k: "admit I pee like a race horse once I get up in the morning" +1 :) |
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TJPx |
4-Part Modular Military Sleep System for bag Thin closed cell foam mat Tarp (sometimes) I prefer as for now to sleep cold. I build a A-frame style shelter out of debris. I will sometimes add a tarp to the top under the debris depending on weather. I lay a think bedding of cedar boughs for the flooring. This year I will be trying a warm style, building a classic lean-to shelter. Lining the inner wall with a Mylar blanket to reflect the heat from a full length fire in front. Supposedly it’s a very warm option. |
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Arlo Pankook |
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CrookedPaddler1 |
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ZaraSp00k |
admit I pee like a race horse once I get up in the morning, but the heat from it keeps me cozy all night without need of a heater until I get out of the bag in the morning |
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luft |
quote OBX2Kayak: "quote CrookedPaddler1: " No mater how cold it is, get up and go pee!" It is so hard to make yourself get out of a nice warm bag but very sound advice to empty that bladder to conserve your heat. |
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Arlo Pankook |
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mn pat |
I can't overstate this enough if you want to winter camp get a good sleeping pad before a good sleeping bag. |
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OBX2Kayak |
quote ZaraSp00k: "The biggest problem I have not solved is that at extreme temps frost develops around the breathing hole in the bag. At -25 the weak point in whatever system you use will make itself known, count on it." Try placing a quick-dry synthetic camp towel over the area where frost develops (using safety pins or velcro). For me, this stops the moisture from getting into my top quilt. |
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tg |
as far as sleeping bags go-i opted for a single winter rated -25 degree down bag but 2 bag systems can work excellent as well and might consist of a roomy summer bag over a shoulder season 15 degree bag. manufacturer temp ratings vary quite a bit and some people "sleep cold" or "sleep warm" so its hard to say what combination will work best for you. i spent a few nights in the backyard last winter testing gear out close to home. tg |
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butthead |
Good tip, I use a microfiber towel as a bib (over the neck area of my sleeping bag) in frosty conditions! butthead |
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bruceye |
I've learned the hard way, that the more critical item in winter camping is the ground mat. Even in a warm weather bag, you can wear warm dry clothing, thermal underwear, wool socks etc. but with all that, even in the best sub zero bag, you're gonna chill if you don't have a good winter ground mat under you. I'm not exactly a state of the art tech head enough to tell you what is the best, but in my own experience, I've learned that the inflatables are junk. Closed cell foam mats, even though they're bulkier, are worth the extra weight and space in you're Winter pack. |
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tonyyarusso |
Personally, I'm a solo cold tent camper (stoves in a tent scare me...). As such, if you're willing to carry the weight a nice luxury is a wool blanket in addition to the sleeping bag. Lay it out on the tent floor like an "innie" sheet, with the pad under the blanket and sleeping bag over. Putting it between the two will make you slide around less, and sounds quieter as you move around. If you get cold at night, just flip the floor part next to you over on top of you. When you get up in the morning, flip it back onto the ground, and you have a comfy warm surface between your feet and the snow for less of a morning shock. |
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t43eagle |
Make sure you sleep with your head outside of the bag and wear a good hood - I wear my waterproof/insulated duck hunting coat hood. You don't want to breathe moisture into your bag/quilt as this will soak it and you'll get cold. I also use a DIY Ray Jardine tarp vs tent to allow the moisture to escape - even though it is open, you say warmer since the moisture escapes vs condenses and wets your insulation. Lots of people don't believe it, but look at how much condensation is inside your tent if you have it all sealed up vs an open tarp where the moisture can escape. |
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CrookedPaddler1 |
Currently I am using the "Ultimate Thule" made by Wiggies as my sleeping bag. It is a dual sleeping bag system rated down to -60 ( Wiggies It is obviously a fairly expensive bag, but worth it when you spend lots of time in the BWCA in the winter (at least I did when I bought it). What makes it work is the two bag system. One bag is a 30 degree bag and one is a 0 degree bag. They zip together to form one bag, but you could get by with stuffing two bags inside each other. The space between the two bags is a great place to dry out damp clothing while you sleep. The second thing that you might consider adding would be the "finbar hood" ( Finbar Hood ). This allows you to keep your breathing out of the sleeping bag and prevents it from getting damp from breathing. To me the biggest key in sleeping well at night in the winter is two fold: Go to bed dry (new long johns, top, and hat) is the first. The second is go pee when you need to. Otherwise, your body will divert heat from the core area to keep your urine warm. No mater how cold it is, get up and go pee! |
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catfish72 |
things to know about my camping style. I am a hot tent camper. I use a cot. I set up my tent on the ice 90% of the time. I tend to be a very warm sleeper. Somthing else I should mention. Before I had my system figured out. I would boil some water before going to bed. then I would fill my nalgene bottle. I would wrap the bottle up in a shirt and put the bottle in my bag before I got in. Depending on what part of me was cold through out the nite, I would keep it close to my abdoman or down by my feet. this kept me super warm all nite.Somtimes too warm! If you are ever out camping and you find your self getting up becouse you are cold. try this it works and you will sleep the nite through. |