Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2005 23:44:58 -0800
Reply-To: Aaron <lists@MYCOMMUNITYNET.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Aaron <lists@MYCOMMUNITYNET.NET>
Subject: Re: Winter Camping at Pokagon State Park
In-Reply-To: <Pine.LNX.4.61.0502020025490.3162@gyruss.gpcc.itd.umich.edu>
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I would have to agree with Jonathan. I've lived in my van over a winter
in temps that got down to -5f or so and temps would be below freezing
for weeks straight. I learned a number things. One is moisture...don't
let it stay in. Like Jonathan said, keep the side and front windows
cracked and don't use non-vented propane heaters. If you need heat and
have electricity, a small electric heater works great...just keep it
clear of anything.
The blanket "tent" inside of the van is a great tip for when it gets
real cold. I ran a small string/rope down the middle of the sleeping
area that I would hang the blanket over. The smaller airspace makes
breathing much easier in the cold.
If it's going to be below freezing in the van, sleep with a water
bottle in your sleeping bag. There's nothing worse than waking up early
with nothing to drink. One time I woke up thirsty in 5 degree weather
and or course everything was frozen. Then I noticed that a 2 liter
bottle of sprite was still liquid. So I opened it up and right in front
of my eyes, it froze up. I guess the pressure must have kept it from
freezing.
Consider putting some silicone grease on the door seals. All of the
moisture can get in there and freeze you in...I learned the hard way.
Sleep with some of the clothes you are going to change into in your
bag. Nothing ruins the morning more than 5 degree clothes.
And yes, you do get used to it. 55 degrees used to be a nice toasty van
worthy of shorts and a t-shirt. A short spurt of heat would get me
there and keep it comfortable for enough for a while. With a 15 degree
bag, I never slept cold until the outside would get down into the
single digits. Thats when the indoor blanket tent was nice. It made
indoor 0 degree temps much more pleasant and breathable.
Have fun!
Aaron
On Feb 1, 2005, at 9:39 PM, Jonathan Farrugia wrote:
> Pete
>
> you shouldn't really need supplemental heat once you are inside the van
> and ready for bed. i have lived in my van over the winter and i did it
> without any heat. the main issue to watch out for in winter camping is
> condensation from breathing. as for warmth i slept in clothes inside a
> down mummy bag and if that wasn't warm enough in the blistering cold i
> put
> a blanket over that which i mainly used to cover my head. the "great"
> thing about the blanket over your head in really cold weather is that
> the
> condensation will solidify on the blanket for the most part. which
> means
> that you don't have to deal with it being on the windows and other
> surfaces. additionally i always slept with the front windows and the
> sliders cracked open to let the condensation out unless the wind was
> blowing really hard.
>
> the hardest part for most people will be making the transition from a
> full
> time warm environment which most of us now live in during the winter,
> to
> a cold environment where you primarily rely on body heat and good
> insulation.
>
> jonathan
>
> On Tue, 1 Feb 2005, pete or nancy owsianowski wrote:
>
>> Some brave bus pilots from the Buses By The Beach group are going to
>> try
>> some Winter Westy camping at Pokagon State Park in Indiana on
>> February 19th.
>> (We can't wait for Spring!) After hitting the toboggan run, we will
>> retire
>> to the campfire and our buses.
>>
>> Any collective list wisdom on staying warm after the fire goes out?
>> There
>> is electric available so we can run heaters. What about those of us
>> that
>> have to pop the top to sleep 4 and a Golden Retriever? Anyone ever
>> use
>> electric blankets?
>>
>> The coldest I have slept in the bus was about 38F. Didn't have a
>> problem.
>> The average low in February in Indiana is 21.5F.
>>
>> Pete and Nancy
>> '87 Westy
>> "Joe's Van"
>>
>>
>>
>
