Camping experiments: a n00b learns not to freeze

[bluepoof]

Since I want to do some camping on my cross-country trip this summer (mom, are you reading this? If you are, I'm just kidding! ), I've got some "pre-flight" camping trips scheduled to test out my newer gear.  I love camping but have really only done it in the summer.

Friday night was Camping Experiment #1, at Big Basin Redwoods State Park here in the Bay Area.  Somehow I managed to talk my friends Steph and Kim into camping with me, and I reserved a place for us via Reserve America.

I arrived first and set up my tent and gear.





I got hungry while waiting for Steph and Kim, so I cooked myself some Mountain House lasagna with my JetBoil. It came out pretty well -- it smelled and tasted like Hamburger Helper -- but the cheese really caked onto my JetBoil fork. I added "small sponge" to my packing list.

Steph came bearing a full Coleman camping stove, so she made some turkey dogs.



The only downside to the event was that the forecasted "low of 40" wasn't -- I don't think it got below freezing, but it was definitely lower than 40. Anyway, I didn't think I'd have a problem as my sleeping bag is rated 10F, but I was still freezing all night.  

After a great advice thread here , I'm going to try the following for my next cold(ish) camping trip:

* Bring both the Thermarest and cot (put TR on cot; if I'm still freezing in the night, ditch cot)
* Put clothes under cot instead of next to cot
* Put on PJs (hat, wicking long sleeve shirt, wool socks, and WindStopper fiber pants) just before bed
* Food and jumping jacks before getting into bag (but not so many as to sweat)
* Don't lie in bed having to pee -- get up and do it  

The bike claims it was 35F at 7:30am, after the sun was up:



A Steph-breakfast of sausage and pancakes helped us warm up....so did moving into the Jeep with the heater cranking for a few minutes.  



The ride home was wonderful; it was a beautiful sunny day once I got out from underneath the redwoods.  I stopped for this photo at a vista point on Hwy 9, looking back towards where we were camping:



All in all, a fun night and a great learning experience. Stay tuned for Camping Experiment #2 this Friday!  

[stefrrr]

That's sounds like fun (except for the freezing part). Ray & I have been looking at different equipment for trying moto-camping. Please keep updating us on your experiences!  

[Guzzipat]

If you like fresh coffee, get yourself one of these;




I think they are available in  America, they are very common in Italy. It is a pressure cooker, works on any heat source, stove, fire, comes n a lot of different sizes, mine is a one mug size. Steam is forced through the coffee and perfect espresso comes out. Better than all the expensive domestic machines, only the big commercial catering machines come close.
I set it up before I go to bed, then I can put it on the stove without getting out of the bag. Heaven on a cold morning, a cup of espresso, in bed.

[spinalator]

I want to convert America to metric. Celsius is so much nicer for temps, and dancing too.

Nice writeup

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

I am going to have to try this on a bike. Sounds like fun. I will wait for temps in the 60's though.

[CMac]

Moto camping is awesome but it takes some practice to get just the right gear and remember the little things that make the campsite run smoothly.

Like a sponge.

[Lawn Dart]

Motocamping rocks...unfortunately I'm still tied to a CPAP and am still working on trying to find a smaller version that doesn't take up 50% of my V46!  

Poof,  Great job!  Obviously you've got the other thread going on how to stay warm - that's going to make a big difference in general.  Still, there's something to be said for "Yankee Ingenuity".  Don't be afraid to experiment to stay warm.  I've used newspaper from a friendly camper as an insulator (superb!).  Pine needles work well too.  On some trips I've used a small tee candle in a "customized" beer can to help keep the tent warm (WARNING!  You BEST be careful here!).  Heated waterbottles work awesome too.

I'd also suggest keeping a water bottle at the foot of the sleeping bag regardless (can be cold) - you don't want to wake up and realize that all your precious water is frozen in bottles in the morning!

[Max Wedge]

Good post! But next time, can you include more info/pics on the Jetboil? I just got one myself for when I attempt moto-camping this year, so I will be paying attention so that I might learn a thing or two.

[VIVID1]

I get cold very easily. On summer motorcycle trips I use a 40 degree bag and sleep with many layers on. What works best as a warm layer for sleeping is the quilted liner out of my textile riding jacket and pants. I also wear a hat since so much heat escapes through your head. For me this set up is only good to about 42 degrees.

Another trick is to wrap my feet up in something before getting in to the sleeping bag, like a fleece shirt or jacket, since even with two pairs of wool socks my feet are still cold. If you get camp site with electricity and bring an extension cord, you can plug in a heating pad and stick it inside your sleeping bag.  A heating pad is small enough to pack on the bike and is also great for those after the ride sore spots.

When I’m sport-touring and camping in Spring/Fall I bring a 0 degree sleeping bag, but that’s only good to about 36 degrees for me.

[bluepoof]

Good post! But next time, can you include more info/pics on the Jetboil? I just got one myself for when I attempt moto-camping this year, so I will be paying attention so that I might learn a thing or two.

Sure thing!  I'm going out again on Friday and will take more pics of the JetBoil then.  

[Yankee Dog]

dont wear anything tight or constricting when you climb in the bag. It will restrict the flow of blood and cause your extremities to be cold.  If you read up on them you will discover the degreee rating on sleeping bags are based on how cold it can be before it is too cold for you to sleep.  Note it does not mean it will keep you "warm" all the way down to that temperture.  So take them with a grain of salt.  

DAMHIK but I would reccomend against the candle inside the tent technique.  It is an easy way to put a hole in your tent.  Or worse if you are not lucky.

I would normally pull my boots inside the bag with me (damn the lumpiness) because I cant stand putting on cold stiff boots.  My outer cloths go under or over me and my undercloths get stuff in a ball to use as a pillow.  

Let me also add that all this advice comes from the old days.  Currently I fall into the motel catagory.  

Yankee Dog

[OregonDavid]

Looks like a fun trip.
Here are a couple of tricks I use to fight off the cold when sleeping while camping.
It is important to put some sort of insulating mat between you and the ground, even if you are on a cot. I where a beanie and thin gloves. I always sleep in clothes that I use just for sleeping like sweats, long sleeve moisture wicking shirt and a fleece vest. I put the clothes on each night and change out of them in the morning. I all ways put on a fresh dry pair of socks every night. If all my other things don't work I put  a chemical hand warmer in the foot of my bag and one in the pocket of my fleece vest. One last thing it is important to keep well hydrated.

[F14Scott]

A couple of these make ALL the difference.  Made a 20 degree night in a crappy sleeping bag warm and comfy.  Put one in your shirt pocket and one in your waistband at your navel.  Toasty.


http://www.littlehottieswarmers.com/Hand_Warmers_p/lhw1-40.htm

[Mrs. DantesDame]

A Steph-breakfast of sausage and pancakes helped us warm up....so did moving into the Jeep with the heater cranking for a few minutes.  

 

[OregonDavid]

A couple of these make ALL the difference.  Made a 20 degree night in a crappy sleeping bag warm and comfy.  Put one in your shirt pocket and one in your waistband at your navel.  Toasty.


http://www.littlehottieswarmers.com/Hand_Warmers_p/lhw1-40.htm

Yep, thats the ticket. I wouldn't leave home with out them.

[atadaskew]

Friday night was Camping Experiment #1, at Big Basin Redwoods State Park here in the Bay Area.

Man I love riding through that area in the Santa Cruz mountains.  All those little towns are sooo cute!  Bummer is I have never really taken the time to stop and smell the roses, I'm always on my way to visit friends in San Fran.
It's the kinda roads where you want a small, sit up and take in the view kinda bike.  Which I see you have.

[DJStevieB]

Carolyn, what kind of cot is that with the hoops?

To add my $0.02 ... I also sleep with the "wicking" type of shirt. A blend with Merino wool is fabulous.

Soundrider.com has oodles of neat info about moto-camping.

The little heat paks are SUPER!

[bluepoof]

Carolyn, what kind of cot is that with the hoops?]

It's an Aerostich High-Tech Cot.

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/High-Tech-Cot-p-18894.html

[DJStevieB]

Thank you. I gotta git me one o'dose tings!

I'm basically only going to carry tent, cot, sleeping bag, etc. On my long trips, I plan to motel it every other night or so. I don't plan to cook. For my own safety and health, I'll eat at diners.  

[Lon]

If you like fresh coffee, get yourself one of these;

AeroPress.

http://www.aerobie.com/Products/aeropress_story.htm

It's small, light, easy to use, practically self cleaning, nearly indestructible, quick (once you have hot water), and inexpensive.  You can make regular coffee or espresso with one.  Tons of reviews are out there.