COLD WEATHER TIPS-II

BEDDING DOWN

Natural fiber sleeping bags do not maintain their insulation properties when damp, down bags also fit here. A 3 to 4 pound synthetic bag will take care of most of your needs.
A mummy style bag is warmer than a rectangular, as there is less space for your body to heat. Also, most mummy bags have a hood to help protect your head.
If you only have a rectangular sleeping bag, bring an extra blanket to pack around your shoulders in the opening to keep air from getting in.
Do not sleep with your head under the covers. Doing so will increase the humidity in the bag that will reduce the insulation properties of the bag and increase dampness.
Remember to air out your sleeping bag and tent, when weather permits. Perspiration and breath condense in the tent at night and the water will reduce insulating properties of your bag.
Wear a stocking cap to bed in order to reduce heat loss.
Wear a loose fitting hooded pull over type sweatshirt to sleep in.
Make a loose fitting bag from an old blanket or carpet padding to put both feet in when in your sleeping bag.
A bag liner made from an old blanket, preferably wool, will greatly enhance the bags warmth.
Insulate yourself from the ground as much as possible to avoid cold spots at the shoulders and hips.
Use a sleeping pad of closed cell foam instead of an air mattress.
A good rule of thumb is that you want 2 to 3 times the insulation below you as you have over you.
Use a ground cloth to keep ground moisture from your bag. Your body will warm up frozen ground to a point were moisture can become important.
Space blankets, if used as a ground cloth, will not reflect the body heat. Instead it will conduct the cold from the ground to your body.
Cold air will be above and below you if you sleep on a cot.
Put a hand warmer (in a sock) at the foot of your sleeping bag before getting into it.
Fill a canteen with hot water (not boiling) and place at foot of bag to keep warm. Be careful with plastic canteens.
Exercise before bedding down to increase body heat. This will help to warm your bag quicker. Be careful not to start perspiring.
Remove the clothes you are wearing before bedding down if they are damp with perspiration. Put on dry clothing or pajamas before entering the sleeping bag.
Build a wind break outside your tent by piling up snow or leaves to a height sufficient to protect you when laying down.
Hang your sleeping bag up or just lay it out, between trips, so the filling will not compress and lose its insulating properties.
Before you get out of bed bring the clothes you plan to wear inside your bag and warm them up some before dressing.
Place an empty capped plastic bottle outside your tent door for "night calls." This will reduce your exposure when you have to answer that call. Think twice before using it inside the tent, you do have a tent mate. Remember to empty the bottle away from the camp in the morning.

To be contd.......