Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2000 13:35:16 -0500
Reply-To: Steve E <oystratus@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Steve E <oystratus@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Cold Weather Camping Question
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
I lived in my van in northern Michigan all one winter.
Here's my advice (sleeping bag section is in middle end.)
Insulation of the walls and glass was only minimally useful and not
worthwhile. (It did make it a lot quieter in my car, though.) I don't have
a pop top (converted passenger bus), but if I did I would definately keep it
closed.
I installed a propane furnace. Big waste of money. It's too noisy to sleep
so I only used it when I was awake and in the car reading or whatever
(especially the whatever). If I did it over, I'd get a mini coleman propane
heater, build it a bracket and a cage to reduce fire hazard, and just use it
during waking hours. Don't forget to open the window so you don't die from
CO.
Sleeping bags
Sleeping bag ratings are crap. Everyone's nighttime
metabolism is widely different. My new bag is rated -30 degrees, but I can
only stay truly comfy to -0. So don't
spend a ton of money based on the rating.
When down gets wet, it's toast until you find a drier or at least a day an
arid clothesline. Personally, I would only go with down when I expect it to
stay COLD. After an extended time, the down will get wet due to moisture
from you body condensing in the outter and cooler fibers. This greatly
reduces it's comfort. One polar team eventually threw out 1 out of 3 bags
for this reason and continued zipping the remaining 2 bags and sleeping 3
people in the result! Anyway, you can reduce this effect with a vapor
barrier liner, basically a reinforced plastic bag inside your sleeping bag,
but that's really unpleasant unless its really cold. Last moisture
thought.... don't wear cotton in your sleeping bag if moisture is a problem,
and never with a vapor barrier liner. Instead, go with polypropelene, etc.
Besides the insulation, find one that is big enough for you to dress in.
For me, I have trouble being able to bend my knees enough to reach my feet.
Also climb in and try out your sleeping positions. Any restrictions?
And this is very important.... if you ever think you might be winter camping
with a sweetie, then (s)he should get a bag at the same time so you can be
certain the zippers zip together! Otherwise, get a namebrand bag with a YKK
zipper of standard size. Avoid metal zippers which are more prone to
freezing. Add fabric or something to the zipper pulls so you can work them
with your mittens on.
Here are three features of shape that really help
x a mummy bag.
x at least one zipper baffle (insulation filAed strip that is sewn along
one side of the zipper). Better yet, get one with BOTH sides of the zipper
baffled.
x a baffle that has a draw string and goes around your neck. Or just sew
in a strip of blankie.
Before I got the warm bag, I was sleeping in a 30 degree bag (used $25) with
the following tricks.
Wear a hat. Wear dry loose warm socks. Wear sweats etc. Get a fleece neck
warmer. Use a cooler temp bag with a blankie (or five). Boil water and put
in PLASTIC bottle. Put a dash of cayenne pepper in your socks (honest). If
you need to get up to pee, get up to pee.
Insulate below you, open cell foam and air mattresses are useless but
thermarests are good. I used 2 wool blankets folded up and some carpet
padding for comfort.
Eat food and drink lots water and little -OH before bed. Keep snacks handy.
Warm up feet with exercise before climbing in.
Camp with a really close friend. : )
If all else fails, and the sky is clear, bundle up and go play in the
starlight and crackling air.
Steve E
84 Vanagon
Lansing Mich
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