jamesp59

Im leaving this weekend to go on a hunting trip to south ohio and i hear its going to be like 20-30 degrees. I will be using a heater inside the tent and good sleeping bag, but i still think im going to freeze my butt off. Has any of you ever sleeped out in a tent when it was this and if so was you warm or how did you stay warm? Any thoughts would help me from freezzzzzzzzing. Thanks James

Don K

I have camped in tents to 10 below with major wind. Being prepared is the best thing. Have a GOOD sleeping bag, and blankets for layers. Dont where any clothing in the bag that you have worn during the day. Any sweat that you have put on them clothes will make you cold when sleeping. Get on a cot off the ground if you can, or make sure you have something between you and the ground to keep the cold away.

If your using a heater in the tent PLEASE be careful. Every year i read about people going to sleep and never waking up. Heaters use oxygen to run so be careful and have some airflow. I carry a CO detector myself. I also shut the heater off at night unless im using a electric one. I want to make it home to the 3 boys and wife.......

I now own a canvas wall tent with a woodburner. So when it gets cold i just sit back and say........bring it on!!!

"Im not a guide, but i did stay at a Holiday Inn Express recently"

AK

Even in a mediocre sleeping back, it isn't too terribly difficult to stay tolerably warm in mid-30 degree temps. Buy a good sleeiping bag if you expect temps below that. Figure that the bag temperature rating will keep you "alive" at the listed temperature, but not very comfortable. Good bags are pricey, but worth it. I have slept out in sub-zero temps with 40 degree winds and near blizzard like snow in a bag rated to only 20 degrees. They were cold nights. Like Don K said, beware the propane tent heaters. I would be very careful not allow myself to fall asleep if using one.

jamesp59

I have a sleeping bag rated at 30 deg. and i will be sleeping on a blow up matt. I will not be using a propane heater i will have a elec. heater that when it tips over it shuts off and wont come back on intill its in the upright postion. I will also be covering up in layers of plankets. I will only turn the heater on before i go to bed to let everything warm up and then shut it off during the night just to be safe. I think i should have no problem with the elec. heater what do you think? My tent has vents at the top should i take a extra tarp tp cover them so no cold air can get in? Thanks guys for the info on the propane heaters, I'll let friends know never to use one all night.
James

davidmil

Mummy bag, pad(or 2), balaclava, long johns and socks. Warm as toast.

jamesp59

Davidmill, What is balaclava? My sleeping bag is the mummy type and is rated at 30 degrees. James

bigbulls

I've camped in below zero temps and have found that two inexpensive bags, like the ones at Walmart, will keep you pretty warm w/o blowing alot of money. I will sometimes actually be uncomfortable cause of being too hot. The air mattres will also help cause you won't have cold air circulating around you. Also a couple of the Army issue wool balnkets will help alot. Once you turn the heater off it will be like you never turned it on after about ten minutes. They do real nice in the morning though when you wake up and are getting dressed.

deerdust

2 years ago my brother and I forgot the key to the cabin, so we cleared an area of any sticks and made a fire ring and took turns keeping a good fire burning. We made a good bed of leaves under the sleeping bags. With a bag for padding as well, then strip before climbing in and put the clothes you are going to wear inside your bag at your feet, so they will be warm in the AM. Sleep wiyh your head in the bag as well, so your body heat will circulate better.
If you use the heater and it is gas of any kind, make sure you have plenty of ventilation. You really shouldn't need it though.

A balaclava is a covering for your head with 1 large hole for your eyes, face, and mouth, usually made from long john material. Mine is polypropylene.

The best of luck in all your hunting endeavors!!!

God Bless,
Dave

Edited by - deerdust on 11/28/2002 22:46:22

IndyHunter

It sounds like you have electricity, take an electric blanket if you have one.

--I live in my own little world. But it's OK . . . they know me
here.--

BOWFANATIC

The last time I camped out in a tent in two feet of snow with temps around 15 - 20 degrees was when I was 12 years old for my boy scout merit badge.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

<---Doug---<<<