Northerners- learn me cold

peter wrote: you will be very uncomfortable in a 40 degree bag in 40 degree or less weather. the degree rating on bags is BS. think of it more along the lines of - "if I'm in a 40 degree bag in 40 degree weather, I will survive the night, but not be happy about it or get much sleep."

YMMV. I slept in one in 30-35 degree weather and slept all night long, which is somewhat rare for me.

Sleep on foam, not air.

I thought this was going to be a question about COLD... not cool fall weather. Friggin Floridians. I forget that when it hits 50 y'all grab your parkas, snow boots and mittens to keep warm.

Thanks for all the advice!

Just to set the record straight, I do know how to survive in cold weather, thanks to an obsession with the outdoors, survival preparedness, and shows like survivorman. The main question posed here is how to be comfortable in cold weather. I know I won't die, but a snow shelter made at the base of a tree isn't my idea of fun camping.

So, from what you've all said, it sounds like I need to do the following:

get a warmer sleeping bag (I thought I might need to)
sleep in my underwear (knew that, but good to be reminded)
Insulate myself from the ground (done, done, and done)
Layer (done, done, and done)
Build a fire (done, done, and done)
Bring Nicole

Thanks for all the advice, I had no idea so many of you were campers!

Here's what I'll be sleeping in, for those of you who didn't see the other thread.

The last item that you listed, Nicole, will keep you the warmest.

And will also be the most expensive.

Tom Suddard wrote: Bring Nicole

Pics or its not real

Don't be fool. Wrap your tool.

I always wrap my tools. It keeps them organized, too.

93EXCivic wrote: Don't be fool. Wrap your tool.

Sock it before you rock it.

Tom,

That rig will not serve you well in windy conditions. If it's windy, stay in the truck, or stake the tent into the ground. You'll be losing heat on all sides with the tent in the air, and you'll also catch wind like a sail on a big ship!

i gotta ask. why the tent on top of yur rig? the critter factor from camping in FLA?

With all due respect Joe, I think I'll be fine in hugh winds. It has much stronger supports than a ground tent, and is rated for 60 mph sustained winds. RTTs are popular in the Arctic.

I understand you're point, so I might take down the awnings if it gets windy.

Forgive me if it has been covered. A roof top tent is cool and all, but what are it's advantages? I guess I could understand in alligator alley, or on safari, the things with big teeth would have a tough time getting you. Though mr bear will climb the ladder as easy as you do.

Keep you off the ground so you can camp on damp soil? Guaranteed flat ground so you don't end up with a tree root under your back?

In reply to sachilles:

Cause it is cool. Do you need a better reason?

mtn wrote:

Tom Suddard wrote: Bring Nicole

Pics or its not real

Hi there.

I prefer to take a tauntaun. Its the easiest way to stay Luke warm.

Nice try Tommy. Creating a login with a girls name.

I will accept this as proof. Picture of her with you holding a recent newspaper or better yet a recent cover of GRM.

sachilles wrote: Nice try Tommy. Creating a login with a girls name. I will accept this as proof. Picture of her with you holding a recent newspaper or better yet a recent cover of GRM.

Jeez, are we asking about his GF or making a kidnapper's proof of existence recording?

Mostly just trying to torment a young guy......wishing I was his age again.

Tommy is in class right now, so I can't really do the newspaper/magazine thing... the closest I have to the kind of proof you're looking for is a prom picture of us in front of the Edsel:

Jeez, y'all are both older than you look... was Michael J. Fox at the prom too?

Yes, but he kept getting upset when people mistook his Parkinson's symptoms for a new dance craze.

Ouch. You fit right in here.

Thanks

Also, I'd like to point out that the prom scene in Back to the Future takes place in 1955, and that the Edsel in the picture wasn't made until '59. Movie reference destroyed (unless the Edsel can also travel back in time...)