Greetings from my back yard!

[24Pink14Stink]

Hey all! In the spirit of trying to use my gear instead of just having it, I decided it was time to test out my winter sleep system.

No fire, goretex bivvy sack (milsurp), sleeping pad inside it, wool blanket folded on top of that, El cheapo Coleman 30* bag and me with 3 layers on - polypropylene skivvies, minus 33 wool top and bottom and carhart hoodie and pants.

Temp is 31* with a 20+ mph wind. I've been out here almost 60 minutes and am super warm. Gonna give it another 30 and head in.

Good test! Wish I had one of those zipper thermometers to see what the temp is in here.

[DarthVader]

That is pretty cool,as much as I use to like laying on the ground when I went camping along time ago younger that is, I just can not do it anymore because of my back but I still would enjoy going camping,but I would have to have some sort of cot or a blow up mattress now along with a sleeping bag and most importantly a tent..I hoping when I go on the camping trip this summer that USMC is trying to putting together I have some sort of cot or a good blow up mattress and a tent..

Clarence

[usmcveteran]

Your always warm for that first hour....... its 2 or 3 am when you really know if your warm or not lol. With the actual military sleep system using all the bags I have slept outside on sleeping pad and woken up with everything covered in frost and was fine, face was a little cold.

Good test Man and good to see gear being used!

[24Pink14Stink]

Your always warm for that first hour....... its 2 or 3 am when you really know if your warm or not lol. With the actual military sleep system using all the bags I have slept outside on sleeping pad and woken up with everything covered in frost and was fine, face was a little cold.

Good test Man and good to see gear being used!

I kind of figured that. It's a start and I'll likely pick another time to try a little longer - maybe 3-4 hours.

[24Pink14Stink]

That is pretty cool,as much as I use to like laying on the ground when I went camping along time ago younger that is, I just can not do it anymore because of my back but I still would enjoy going camping,but I would have to have some sort of cot or a blow up mattress now along with a sleeping bag and most importantly a tent..I hoping when I go on the camping trip this summer that USMC is trying to putting together I have some sort of cot or a good blow up mattress and a tent..

Clarence

Clarence, we'll get you one of these... http://m.adameve.com/adult-sex-toys/...ls-c-1005.aspx

NSFW!!

[usmcveteran]

eating and or drinking water before bed also helps to keep warm at night. I also remember using the sleep system on a cot in freezing weather and I did not use the sleeping pad..... big mistake! I can't wait to get a house and sleep out in backyard whenever.

[24Pink14Stink]

I think next time, I'll probably put the sleeping pad outside the bivvy sack, it felt a little tight in there.

Speaking of bivvy sacks - price on them have doubled in the last year or so. I paid $30 for mine 2 or so years ago. About $65 last time I checked.

I'm doing this test because I want to see if I need to buy a full military sleep system, or if I'd be ok with what I have.

[Norm DeGuerre]

it's 35* downstairs, I'll turn off the pellet stove if you would like to test your equipment here
in a couple hours inside temp = outside temp
you'll have someone to talk to ..!!

[camper4lyfe]

The 4am "omg gotta pee" moments are the worst! For some reason that only hits me like that when it's below freezing.

Eating right before bed is really important. It's like stoking the wood stove right before bed.

[24Pink14Stink]

The 4am "omg gotta pee" moments are the worst! For some reason that only hits me like that when it's below freezing.

Eating right before bed is really important. It's like stoking the wood stove right before bed.

I heard somewhere that holding your pee only makes you colder.

[camper4lyfe]

I heard somewhere that holding your pee only makes you colder.

I have too, and I'll say I think I can confirm it. Part of me thinks that getting up and moving around to pee is what warms you up, but I have definitely felt warmer after (and no I didn't pee on myself)

[Cgrutt]

You can also throw a nalgene bottle full of boiling water in the bottom of your bag before tucking in.

[usmcveteran]

Not about staying warm but don't forget in the winter to put your water bottles upside down in the snow. That way the ice forms at the bottom of the bottle and not the top.

[camper4lyfe]

Not about staying warm but don't forget in the winter to put your water bottles upside down in the snow. That way the ice forms at the bottom of the bottle and not the top.

And use wide mouth water bottles. It takes longer to freeze over and plug up.

[24Pink14Stink]

Not about staying warm but don't forget in the winter to put your water bottles upside down in the snow. That way the ice forms at the bottom of the bottle and not the top.

Thanks for that tip! Never would have thought of that one.