> I have a question regarding two responses to this thread, i.e., to sleep > clothed and/or to what extent. > > My understanding (second hand info.) is that the NOLS program encourages > participants to sleep in at least one layer of, often at least moist, > clothing. The idea being, it can then dry out overnight with the body > warmth and evaporation therefrom. This is a NOLS program in Alaska, which > gets plenty moist, although not typically below 30 or 40 degrees (I think). > Seems in direct opposition to the thread I'm seeing here. This was also > under circumstances of continuous rain. And manmade fiber bags (no down). > > Fabric type is probably important - the wet clothing of the participants I > knew of was polypro, not wool, which takes forever to dry out (I know, I > used to live in a much colder climate). > > Is there an ambient temperature/humidity breakpoint? > > Natalie > Galveston TX > > > >> > > Winter tip: > > > > Moisture is the enemy, so sleep nude, keep the bag and tent well > > ventilated, leave > > the bag in open air in the day to thoroughly evaporate, and use a vapour > > barrier if > > it does not drive you nuts (I can't handle one, but I recognize their > > value). > [snip - response from Chuck Holst] > > Re the value of sleeping nude: One night in a quinzhee where it was > > relatively warm, I decided to sleep in a damp pair of wool pants, > > thinking to dry them from my body heat. The pants so chilled me, even > > inside my winter bag, that I took them off. I slept comfortably the rest > > of the night. > > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I'm going to stick my neck W A Y out on this and give you my very unprofessional view. As long as you are protected from dampness from the outside, and you start off with dry sleeping bag that is warm enough to keep you warm enough to generate excess heat(still with me?), I think you can dry out small amounts of clothes in "most" conditions(even yucky humid, SE Alaska).:-) There will come a time, if you overload your system(the bag starts getting damper)that you will not only be able to dry the clothes, but you will get cold, like Chuck did. In COLD weather, there is also a point where your body heat will not drive the dampness completely to the outside(it will be trapped as ice crystles in the bag). Now your bag is less affciant sp? and nothing short of drying the bag out will save the day(night). I have dried clothes on the line in extreme temps(-30++), but don't think I would want to try drying a sleeping bag or socks that way(it don't happen very quickly). I guess what I have said, or tried to say, is I would(and have)try to dry my clothes in my bag, but watch closely if I getting chilled or notice if my bag is maybe getting damp(also how long the trip). It's all a matter of being alert of what's going around one self and not just doing it blindly because someone said it would work OR that it did the last time even.. James Natalie Wiest wrote: > > > I have a question regarding two responses to this thread, i.e., to sleep > > clothed and/or to what extent. > > > > My understanding (second hand info.) is that the NOLS program encourages > > participants to sleep in at least one layer of, often at least moist, > > clothing. The idea being, it can then dry out overnight with the body > > warmth and evaporation therefrom. This is a NOLS program in Alaska, which > > gets plenty moist, although not typically below 30 or 40 degrees (I > think). > > Seems in direct opposition to the thread I'm seeing here. This was also > > under circumstances of continuous rain. And manmade fiber bags (no down). > > > > Fabric type is probably important - the wet clothing of the participants I > > knew of was polypro, not wool, which takes forever to dry out (I know, I > > used to live in a much colder climate). > > > > Is there an ambient temperature/humidity breakpoint? > > > > Natalie > > Galveston TX > > > > > >> > > > Winter tip: > > > > > > Moisture is the enemy, so sleep nude, keep the bag and tent well > > > ventilated, leave > > > the bag in open air in the day to thoroughly evaporate, and use a vapour > > > barrier if > > > it does not drive you nuts (I can't handle one, but I recognize their > > > value). > > [snip - response from Chuck Holst] > > > Re the value of sleeping nude: One night in a quinzhee where it was > > > relatively warm, I decided to sleep in a damp pair of wool pants, > > > thinking to dry them from my body heat. The pants so chilled me, even > > > inside my winter bag, that I took them off. I slept comfortably the rest > > > of the night. > > > > > > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not > to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ > *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Another way to prevent sleeping bag dampness (that I read about this spring, so haven't actually tested yet) is to stuff your bag into its stuff sack immediately after getting up in the morning, and then pulling it back out (if you're going to be there another night). This is supposed to expel all of the warm, humid air from the lofted bag, which would condense/freeze should it be allowed to cool down. By stuffing it, you get rid of all of the vapor, and should your bag be physically damp, the damp fabric/filling can dry easier if it's not surrounded and containing moist air. Shawn James Lofton wrote: >In COLD weather, there is also a point where your body heat will not >drive the dampness completely to the outside(it will be trapped as ice >crystles in the bag). Now your bag is less affciant sp? and nothing short >of drying the bag out will save the day(night). >I have dried clothes on the line in extreme temps(-30++), but don't think >I would want to try drying a sleeping bag or socks that way(it don't >happen very quickly). -- Shawn W. Baker 0 46°53'N © 1999 ____©/______ 114°06'W ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^\ ,/ /~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^ baker_at_montana.com 0 http://www.missoulaconcrete.com/shawn/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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