remnantprep
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Post by remnantprep on Apr 13, 2015 0:37:47 GMT 10
Recently we attempted a trial of our bug out stuff! Wellllll!!!! We set up camp and all was well until about 10 pm! To sleep on we had these foam egg shell type mats, we thought they would be enough to keep the cold seeping up from underneath! It was really cold Wed night, down to 8 degrees! I was lying there in double quilted sleeping bag, socks on, trackies, long sleeved shirt and singlet and I could still feel my self getting colder and I thought "Stuff this by early morning we will be very cold!" Turned to hubby and said "I don't think we can do this, we will freeze by morning!" if we pack up now at least we wont need to do it later or be frozen and not get sleep! I was also concerned about my five year old. Hubby's response was, "If thats what you think we should do", and he jumped up and started to pack up. HAHA, I think he was quiet happy to do so! So we did and it took us an hour to repack everything and get going. Drove to the nearest major town and were lucky enough to find a motel still open at 1am. Anyway I am just starting to get over feeling like an idiot and I wonder what the fellas in the next spot thought, they were obviously professionals at this sort of thing! HAHA! Lessons learnt: 1) We are testing our supplies to see what works, so should not feel bad about failing this attempt! 2) Don't assume you are well prepared! 3) Keep organised so it doesn't take an hour to pack up and move! (You may have to move quickly in shtf) 4) AND remember that you need good insulation between you and the ground! Anyway we have learnt some things which is ultimately what it is all about!! ANY recommendations on a way to keep the cold from underneath would be great?  ?? I know there are inflatable mats but they would be too bulky to carry and I know that piling up leaves etc may help, but if there is not enough around, what is best?  |
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remnantprep
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Post by remnantprep on Apr 13, 2015 9:15:40 GMT 10
Thanks frostbite, I was thinking wool! Do you have all that in your bug out bag?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2015 11:13:46 GMT 10
Hey Rem, We have use full-length inflatable air mattresses for years, these are not an air bed, but a roll you allow to self inflate and I finish with a few breaths to make a little firmer. They are well insulated. With the right sleeping bag you can bunk in snow and hard ground comfortably.
Mine was around $180 for a, I think 30mm.
Well worth the money. You can pay more or less depending what your budget is!
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remnantprep
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Post by remnantprep on Apr 13, 2015 16:26:26 GMT 10
For a min I thought you had typed wiggles! haha, My issue is that wool irritates me and I often get runny nose etc from it! So woolen jumper would not work for me, maybe to lie on would be ok though!
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Matilda
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Post by Matilda on Apr 13, 2015 21:14:42 GMT 10
What about that 'foil' car windscreen protectors under and over you? Cheap, light and would fold up easily. Heating a smooth rock and putting it in your sleeping bag might help too. This was a trick our ancestors used. Searching on Pinterest for you and another idea is a tent within a tent. You have a small tent for sleeping then a larger one which would keep the dew etc off. Bit of setting up but you can pick up those small tents cheaply. And this: selfreliantschool.com/sleep-warm-cold/ |
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Post by graynomad on Apr 13, 2015 21:31:02 GMT 10
This is what I sleep on  Dales Gorge, 5-day slog through Karijini NP, Pilbara, WA.It weighs (almost) nothing, packs down to (almost) nothing and is comfy enough. I add a small piece of closed-cell foam under my feet. That and various layers of polyprop thermals/jackets/hats etc are fine for any temp encountered in Oz, like this  3-day bludge up on Ramshead Range, KosciuszkoUp in Kosi. |
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remnantprep
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Post by remnantprep on Apr 13, 2015 22:03:50 GMT 10
Hey Graynomad what is that mat called? I really do want something lightweight, and it seems I will need to get some thermal stuff! Thanks for the advice all! Its been years since we did any camping etc
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Post by graynomad on Apr 14, 2015 23:06:12 GMT 10
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remnantprep
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Post by remnantprep on Apr 15, 2015 8:06:14 GMT 10
Thanks will check it out!
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Post by agriculturalprep on Apr 16, 2015 0:15:42 GMT 10
I have a similar mat to grey nomad, mines full length but about 600 grams, great piece of kit, they sometimes sell denali ones half price at anaconda worth it when you get it for 70 bucks.
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Post by graynomad on Apr 16, 2015 1:11:33 GMT 10
Yeah these self-inflating mats are the go. At 600g that's 360g more than mine, that's a lot of weight, a day's food at a pinch, certainly half a day's food. I think I get my mat, sleeping bag AND bivvy bag into that weight. OTOH you will be a lot more comfortable than me  Some time ago I decided that weight (or rather lack of it) was all important for bushwalking, everything I used was scrutinized and replaced with a lighter item if possible. My 3/4 Thermarest was one casualty and it was pretty light. Shortly I plan to get the razor out again, my tent weighs 1.7kgs, that's pretty good but do I even need it up here in QLD? Not really. Maybe it goes as well and I use a small tarp or just my bivvy. Serious bushwalkers even cut half the handle off their toothbrush, I kid you not. |
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remnantprep
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Post by remnantprep on Apr 16, 2015 9:08:09 GMT 10
We have 2 1.2 kg tents, one for me and one for hubby! They sleep two people! But even they may be too heavy!
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Post by graynomad on Apr 16, 2015 9:21:44 GMT 10
That's bloody light, what make/model? Is it 3 season?
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remnantprep
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Post by remnantprep on Apr 17, 2015 10:25:16 GMT 10
Ok here is a link! They are oztrail tents, it seems though the two men tents are 1.9 kg and the single is 1.2kg! Ours are def 1.2kg and they will fit me and my daughter in. And yes three season and I feel they are so compact that will create warmth as well. www.downundercamping.com.au/outer-limits-starlight.htmlIts not a good pic though! |
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Post by agriculturalprep on Apr 17, 2015 14:05:11 GMT 10
Yeah cool, i use a hiking tent, 1.1kg its so good. Definitely a win there, but I have started getting better at using tarp for making my own shelter. Solid choice for the bug out bag.
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Post by graynomad on Apr 17, 2015 21:22:39 GMT 10
Correct frostbite. My previous bushwalking has been just that, bushwalking, and as such requirements are different. One reason I'm looking at changing to a tarp is weight, but also the things you mention. remnantprep, thank for the link, that's very light. |
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?? I know there are inflatable mats but they would be too bulky to carry and I know that piling up leaves etc may help, but if there is not enough around, what is best? 
