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Trail Wisdom: Sleep
Warm
Tips and techniques.
Thinking of turning
your winter jaunt into an overnight? Could be a lot of fun, if you know how to
stay warm. Use the following tips as your guide to nocturnal heat generation and
retention:
- Fluff your sleeping
bag before crawling inside. That act of fluffing creates more air space
between the fibers or feathers--air space easily warmed by your body.
- If the temperature
looks as if it will drop below freezing, bring your boots and water bottle
into the tent to keep them from freezing. In extreme cold, sleep with your
boots and bottle.
- Before turning in
for the night, nibble on something with high calories. The fuel your body
now has to burn will help it stay warmer during the night. Old-timers used
to mix a teaspoon or two of butter or fat with a cup of cocoa or stronger
libation before hitting the hay. Same purpose, different method--the choice
is yours.
- You can boost the
efficiency of a sleeping bag in several ways. by wearing long underwear to
bed (a fresh, dry pair), by doubling up sleeping bags, by using a sleeping
bag liner, by sleeping wearing a parka and by sleeping in a tent.
- Sleeping on a thick
and comfortable sleeping pad will also add warmth. Your body will lose more
heat to the ground than to the air -- try lying on an unheated waterbed to
get the idea. Closed cell foam or foam-filled inflatable is much better than
an air mattress.
- When the
temperature drops unexpectedly and you find yourself shivering in your
sleeping bag, put on your rain gear (pants and jacket) to act as a vapor
barrier and to hold in your body's warmth.
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