Date:         Sat, 21 Oct 2000 08:03:49 -0700
Reply-To:     pensioner <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         pensioner <al_knoll@PACBELL.NET>
Subject:      Sleeping Accommodations
Content-type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Here's what we do.

Stuff:

Down Duvet (comforter with cover)
Flannel Sheets
Several Polarfleece (tm) blankets
Two zero degree Fiberfill/hollowfill (tm) rectangular bags.

Flannel sheets are warm to the touch.  We've sewn a foot into a set to keep
them together as a "sleep sack"

Depending on the ambient inside temperature...

Use your choice of polarfleece plus or minus duvet.

The bed is packed made with the sheets.

The other stuff is z-folded into the space to the rear of the bed.

The verrry cold nights are planned in advance and a double size, very bulky,
Kelty Brand, 0 deg F bag is used.

Very cold is ambient below 10F.  Back country ski trips, Jackson Hole,
Driggs, Blue River BC. and so on.

The bags do not pack into the upper space but lollygag around the back like
giant marshmallows as one trundles down the road.

Overnight heat can be supplemented with two or three candles.

For the verrry cold mornings I use a portable Coleman Catalytic Propane and
fire it up just to warm the living space while I search for socks and
coffee.  These portables are circa 1970 free standing and can be hooked to
the extra propane tank.  You DO have a second tank installed under the
doorsill, don't you?  The portable also goes outside to chase the chill of
those winter sunrises west of Austin NV, overlooking Mono Lake, Alta Ski
Lifts Parking Lot.

I have used the claypot on the stove method for warmup with excellent
success.  Just never wet the pot.  It absorbs water and when heated causes a
steam explosion.  I use a coathanger tool to lift the pot.  Works well as a
coffee warmer too.  If you attach a thermotape you can see that these
critters get very hot.  And since they don't LOOK hot one can be tempted to
move it without using the wire tool.  Not advised.  Bake the pot in your
oven at home at 325 for an hour, this will dry it out sufficiently for use.
DO NOT assume the pot is dry when you buy it.

Hi Derek!  Nice to see you on the list again.  And Steven Johnson in
Messychewsits, egad!

pensioner

NB:  There are no instruc