Staying Warm at Night While Backpacking

Winter is upon us. But you can still get a good night's sleep with a little planning. 

Here are some tips to staying warm at  night while out in the wild.

1. Sleep in a tent rather than an open shelter, lean-to, or “cowboy” camping. A tent can increase the temperature and provide more warmth.
2. Choose your tent site wisely. Avoid camping near bodies of water and open spaces such as grass that invite condensation (which can turn to frost inside your tent on a cold night), dampness and a chillier night's sleep.  Seek out areas out of wind and under what foliage there is (like pines or rhododendron for example). 
3. Make sure you have a good sleeping bag. Not all bags and their ratings are equal. Check the fill of the bag and the bag’s reviews with regards to how well it’s insulating properties matches the temperature rating it gives. Choose a brand name sleeping bag with a good track record. Don’t skimp on a good quality bag. Take along  a sleeping liner also to better the sleeping bag’s rating, such a silk liner (which weighs little but can extend upwards of nine degrees to the sleeping bag rating – thus a 20 degree bag can work better in temps in the high teens)
4. I have used a hand warmer in the past inside a sleeping bag to help, but they must be used with care as they can get quite hot and could cause discomfort and sometimes even burns if used improperly. Others suggest a platypus bottle filled with hot water to warm a sleeping bag, but I hesitate having liquid in a bag on the chance something could leak - then you'd be in trouble. 
5. Use a good sleeping pad. The R-value of the pad is important.  Taken from the REI web site – “Insulation is measured according to its capacity to resist (that's the "R") heat flow. The higher a pad's R-value, the better you can expect it to insulate you from cold surfaces.”  
6. Be sure you eat a warm snack before bed and keep up your fluid intake. This adds more fuel to the fire in your body, so to speak, and will keep you warmer. 
7. Wear a good insulating layer to bed such as a merino wool baselayer (but don’t overdress!) and wear a hat to bed. 
8. Also, if you carry electronics and battery-operated devices, be sure the batteries and electronics “go to bed” with you. They will stay charged a lot longer if kept warm. I have been known also to sleep with my headlamp.  

The Top 3 Weight Loss Challenge for Long Distance Hikers

One thing I agonize over is watching hikers lugging pounds of gear in backpacks and having a miserable time. They struggle along a trail that is supposed to invigorate them. This is especially true of those beginning their AT adventure come springtime at Springer Mountain in Georgia. A good many quit by the time they get to Neels Gap.

I know. I was one who lugged heavy gear for nearly half the trail.

Finding the right kind of gear to do a long distance hike can be a challenge. While I once accumulated gear in an attempt to have what I needed for my first AT long distance hike, I realized more and more through hiking info web sites, forums, and getting out there for weekends with sore aching muscles and back the necessity of going lighter. The need to get your pack weight down as much as possible so the hike is less painful and more enjoyable. So that has meant revamping the gear list of the big three.

The gear I had hoped to hike the AT with would have been -

Lowes backpack - 6 lbs
Kelty Zen Tent - 4 lbs
Marmot synthetic sleeping bag 15 degree - 3 pounds, 5 oz

Total: close to 14 lbs with the stuff sacks, etc.

The pack I began with at Springer in '07

The pack. I was given the Lowes Alpamayo for a Christmas gift. How can one say no to a thoughtful person who is trying to be helpful in supplying gear for your dream? I thought this was the pack I needed. I did carry it for part of the hike, but it became increasingly tough to haul, and it hurt like crazy. A few times I wanted to quit. Not good! Eventually I reduced the weight by close to 3 lbs and went with a Gregory Jade. Now I have reduced it even further to my pack of choice - the ULA Catalyst.


The sleeping bag. My synthetic Marmot sleeping bag I carried for the first part of my AT hike was a large monster. It was synthetic as I had heard horror stories of wet down bags putting your life in danger. If you take care of your bag by putting it in a good dry bag (check out the Z packs line of waterproof cuben fiber ones to reduce weight and while you are at it, get a liner for your pack too), you can carry a down bag that will make it through the nastiest rain. And take off 1.5 pounds for a 15 degree bag. I've used Montbell and Marmot and Western Mountaineering. Much depends on your budget (they can get whopping pricey), but I think saving money to reduce weight if hiking is your passion is a good investment. Check out used gear forums for those selling, you can save a lot.

What about tents? When I got my Kelty Zen, it was one of the lightest weight backpacking tents out there. Ten years ago. Now with sil nylon and the way manufacturers are cutting out weight on tents with lighter fabrics and pole technology, it is a thing of the past. I now have a 2 man double wall tent that weighs just over 2 lbs in the Big Agnes Flycreek UL 2. There are also tents with single wall and cuben fiber fabric that makes them even lighter. See my blog on tents for the differences in fabric and single vs double all tents.
 

My Flycreek UL 2

So what is my new weight totals for the big three?

ULA Catalyst backpack (small) - 2.7
Marmot Helium down bag (3 season) - 2.6
Big Agnes Flycreek UL 2 tent - 2 lbs

Total: 7.3 pounds

Savings - over 6 pounds

Wow that feels a lot better on my shoulders, back and legs.... Worth the effort and the investment for a good time.

Blissful's Gear Picks

I see that Backpacker Magazine has out in their March issue its picks for 2012. I thought I'd throw in a few of my own that have worked well for me in the past.


Backpack Choice - ULA Catalyst

Superior pack. Lots of room. Lightweight. Carries well. And a company that knows hikers' needs and cares about them. The most popular brand out on the trail.






Sleeping Bag Choice - MontBell Spiral Series

The MontBell bag is an excellent performer, especially with its elastic in the fabric which allows for much more freedom of movement. The down compresses well and the outer layer sheds water. It dries in a snap. You can also find it on sale at times, unlike the Western Mountaineering of which an outfitter plainly told me on the phone they do not allow anyone, no way, no how, to ever put their bags on sale. Nor do I find contact info on the WM web site anywhere for customer service and questions. Strange business ethics, imo. Which is fine. I'll stick to MontBell.

 
Sleeping pad liner - Thermarest Neoair series

I had been a huge Big Agnes insulated air core kind of user, being a side sleeper. But when Thermarest came out with their Neoair series, I was sold. I like the horizontal cushioning and the lightweight design. With care, I kept it going through most of my southbound Appalachian Trail hike (unlike BA that had to be replaced several times). Worth the money.
UPDATE - I just bought the new NeoAir Ultra Light version that just came out this year, so will let you know what I think.








Stove - Snowpeak LiteMax canister stove

The Litemax is a fine canister stove, though I had no problems at all with the MSR Pocket Rocket and also recommend it. The only reason I put this on here is because it is lighter weight than the pocket rocket. But it does the same thing and is a proven performer on the trail. If you want to save a few ounces, check it out.

Cookset - Snowpeak Trek Series - titanium is the way to go. Ultra light, holds up well, packs well. Need I say more?

Utensil - one simple lexan spork. Cheap, functional, no problems on long distances. Forget the Light My Fire spork. Dig into a jar of peanut butter and you'll see why you might curse it.

Making a List and Checking it Twice

At a speaking event at REI Richmond with my gear display

The holidays are upon us and so, too, are those great long distance hikes planned for next year. I thought I’d go ahead and post my typical gear list for a March start in the south along the Appalachian Trail and then some places that have done me well in purchasing gear.

Packing

ULA catalyst

Sil nylon or Sea to Summit pack cover

Garbage compactor bag to line it

Shelter

MSR Hubba with four stakes

Piece of tyvek for groundcover

Small amt of cord for tying off

2 small lightweight towels (one personal, one to dry off shelter)

Sleeping & Comfort

15 degree Montbell down bag (in ultralight compression bag)

Cocoon silk liner

Thermarest Neoair regular pad

Gossamer Gear thin pad

2 small cocoon pillows (luxury item)

z-rest seat pad

Cooking and water

Snowpeak litemax titanium stove and fuel canister

Lighter with book of matches as backup

Snowpeak titanium trek 700 cook pot

Lexan spoon

Pot cozy

Small cup

Sil nylon bag to store

Sea to summit waterproof food bag and 50 feet of cord

3 liter platypus bottle and cap for camp water

1 liter bottle

1 aqua fina bottle

Aqua mira to treat

Clothing (for a March start)

Hiking: long sleeve smartwool top, 1 t-shirt, one fleece pullover, pair convertible pants, sports bra, wind shirt

Three pairs of socks

Trail runners, Crocs

Three pair wicking underwear, one pair of cotton for sleep

Camp: midweight fleece pants, smartwool top, down jacket

Cuben fiber bag to store

Gloves

Hat

Precip rain jacket

Precip rain pants

Other (use Ziplocs for storage)

Eyeglass case, Ear plugs

Toilet paper, Baby wipes, (women – supply of tampons, few lightday pads, etc)

Chapstick, first aid kit, medicines

Bandana

DEET in season

Whistle

Maps and guidebook section, small Bible, small journal and pen

Trail “wallet” of credit card, debit card, medical card, some cash, license

Cell phone, charger

Camera (uses batteries), SD card, case

Headlamp

Mp3 player

Few extra batteries

Hiking Poles

Places to Buy Gear

Known trail outfitters (I like Rockfish Gap Outfitters in Waynesboro but there are many scattered along the trail corridor. You can get a few items at Dicks, Gander Mountain, Bass Pro Shop, etc but they will only have the small stuff if anything)

Campmor

Backcountry.com

REI

Altrec

Steep and Cheap

O2 Gear Shop

SierraTrading Post

Special places for other gear (like ULA, Gossamer Gear, Thru Hiker to make your own gear, Mountain Laurel Designs for cuben fiber products)

AppalachianTrail Conservancy for maps (map special going on now through December)

ALDHA – for guidebook

AT Guide – for guidebook

Calling On Gear - The Sleep System to Start a Hike

Okay, so what DO you bring for a sleeping bag and sleeping pad when starting a Southbound (SOBO) in late June or July? Or Northbound (NOBO) in early March?

One thing about the AT you need to know. One must be prepared for the unexpected. Unexpected temperature changes. Precipitation, anywhere from snow and sleet in March NOBO to sleet, hail, and t-storms SOBO. I have seen many hikers on forums ask for the “averages.” Well, you can get some idea of basic averages from data. But after enduring record snowfalls in 2010 to drought in New England, to record warmth in the 100 mile wilderness of Maine to snowfall on Easter Sunday in April of 2007, you need to prepare for anything and everything. And so I begin with the all important sleep system.

Southbound

Take note - you will be entering above treeline early. While NOBOS do not have to contend with it until much, much later in their hike, SOBOS encounter it in the first few weeks. Although they are hiking it in summer, one can still face high winds, temperature extremes, and all kinds of weather. So I started my SOBO with a 25 degree bag (for me it was the synthetic Marmot pounder plus left over from my ’07 hike. Sadly I see the model is no longer available online). Of course I then faced one of the hottest summers in the 100 mile wilderness in Maine. Was I upset I went with a 25 degree stet-up? No, because later on, when I did hit the elevations of the Mahoosucs and the White Mountains, I was ready for the changes. And I was comfortable. Later on when I hit the southern Appalachians in October I switched to my Montbell Hugger 15 degree down bag which worked out perfectly.

Northbound

Starting in March at Springer, you are technically still in the winter season. Yes, even if the temps are a mild 60 degrees on Springer (which it was for us in ‘07), nature has a way of catching up. While we enjoyed 70 degrees in the Smokies in mid March, last year the hikers endured 3 foot snow drifts. And while the hikers last year had gorgeous April weather to make some miles, I had snow and the teens in ’07 near Erwin, TN. I went with a 15 degree bag to start and a silk liner. I took synthetic back then but I now use the Montbell 15 degree down hugger (just recently replaced with their spiral model). It offers water repellency with coziness, plenty of give, and decent temperature ratings. And it compresses nicely in a Granite Gear compression sack (I used a Granite Gear Air Bloc solid stuff sack for my sleeping bag on my SOBO, see the picture below). You can go with a cheaper bag, but you pay the price of a model that does not always live up to its temperature ratings and functionality. And a comfortable sleep makes you ready to

hit the trail, at least that’s the way I look at it. So invest, dig into your wallet and plunk down the $$$ for a good sleeping bag.

On Sleeping pads. I also did a major switch last year with my pad. Being a side sleeper, I could never endure the feel of the z rest or other thin foam pads that the younger generation handles so well. For my NOBO ‘07 hike, I went with the Big Agnes insulated air core. It did well with colder temps. But after a few months, it began losing air and needed to be replaced. And I did seem to toss and turn a lot on it. Not certain why. Until last summer for my SOBO when I

switched to the new Thermarest neoair. It may be the way the tubing is constructed (in the neoair it is horizontal rather than vertical tubes compared to the air core), but the horizontal structure made for a more comfortable sleep, especially on my side. It is also much lighter than the BA pad. But I did take care of it after hearing reports of people tearing their pads. I never used it outside on rocks or used it as a seat pad (I saw some do that on the trail). I bought a Gossamer Gear thin pad to put under it for added insulation to protect it from the ground. Yes, I cared for it, and it took care of me for many months, nearly the entire SOBO journey. That’s pretty good for a pad.

You will hear all kinds of suggestions on bags. Just be sure you go with a well known name brand, the temperature rating right for your start, and a bag that will fit your dimensions. And get a pad that will work for you. A good night’s sleep means a good hike with less chance of injury because you won’t make mistakes. And a good hike means good memories.