whee wrote:So, umm...I'm not sure how to say this so I'm just going to say it. I can't stand sleeping bags anymore. I've always woken up sweaty, even it was a cold night and I was a bit chilly, but in recent years I've become less tolerant of it. It sucks waking up with sweaty balls so now I mostly just bring a sheet and blankets. I've had my Ajungilak bag for like 15 years and I think it is a decent bag but I've always sweated in it and every other bag I've used. Liners don't seem to help.

I know I'm not alone in this; admitting to waking up feeling like you peed your pants isn't anything a grown man wants to admit. So how do you overcome/prevent it?

Feathered Friends quilt bag, with toe box that can be opened. I'll never go back to a regular bag.
That, and merino wool undergarments for sleeping

Just a note for fans of the BIC lighter here. At about 10F those lighters do not work as it is too cold to vaporize the butane so you have to keep them in your undershorts to keep them warm so they will work. At minus 10F I doubt you could pull it out of your shorts and start a fire before it cooled off again. Better to have more than one means to start a fire. Steve

Coyote wrote:Just a note for fans of the BIC lighter here. At about 10F those lighters do not work as it is too cold to vaporize the butane so you have to keep them in your undershorts to keep them warm so they will work. At minus 10F I doubt you could pull it out of your shorts and start a fire before it cooled off again. Better to have more than one means to start a fire. Steve

Hmmm, I must have been doing things wrong for all those years in the north. I started a lot of fires with a Bic lighter, most of which were at well into the minus double digits. Keep the lighter in a pocket close to your carcass, then hold it in your hand while lighting and they work fine.

That said, I always carry three means to start a fire in my survival gear.....the Bic is one of those, but I also carry a Blastmatch and a container of lifeboat matches as well.

My propane tank outside in Fairbanks quit vaporizing at about -52 or so. Though people claimed it was -20. I put a very small 3 inch by six inch heat pad on the 300 gallon tank, plugged it in and had gas in fifteen minutes or less. It only takes a tiny bit of warmth to gasify some of the liquid., and your hand will do that quick with the Bic.

MTV

MTV

Over many years, I've been amazed at how some folks dress, whether it's flying in extreme weather conditions or driving in them. I guess because I grew up in Wyoming, riding in the winter in cars and pickups with heaters that blew barely lukewarm air, I somehow knew to dress properly. Now it seems that everyone acts as if the only cold they'll have to endure is walking from the house to the car and back. I, too, have seen people get out of airplanes in bitter cold weather, dressed like they were in Florida, and I wondered what additional clothing they had in their airplanes. My airplane actually has a pretty good heater that has kept me reasonably comfortable at -20F, but in those temps, I also have on a heavy coat, down vest, and gloves.

When I was in college, I worked for the Wyoming Highway Department, doing lots of different grunt work. One of my winter jobs, though, was to man the roadblocks whenever we had to close the roads due to the weather. One day, on a bitter, blustery, snowy day such as only happens in Laramie or the middle of the Alaska bush (I think it was about -40F with a 25-30 knot wind, for a windchill of about -70), I was manning the roadblock preventing folks from driving up the canyon out of Laramie on I-80 toward Cheyenne. A Ford convertible pulling a medium size U-Haul pulled up to the gate, and the driver asked me why they couldn't go farther. I don't remember exactly what I said, although I had a rehearsed, canned "speech" to give to anyone who I stopped and turned back, but what I do remember is what he and his family were wearing: shorts and T-shirts for him and momma, and their 2 little girls in the back seat had shorts, T-shirts, and bare feet.

I also agree that the temps we really have to worry more about are much warmer than those extremes. When I was on the Red Cross Board in Laramie, we sponsored the production of a video on hypothermia. The take-away for me was that temps in the +40s and 50s, accompanied by moisture that soaked the clothes and skin, were every bit as dangerous, as they'd bring the body temperature down very quickly to the danger point, which isn't all that cold, only sub 95F.

Cary

Make S&R's job easier. They can fly over you dozens of times without seeing you unless you do something about it.

There have been several studies on this. You need something Blaze orange to wear or lay out so they can see you in the high contrast snow environment. Make the orange do double duty..... small tarp or poncho.

The typical white plane is invisible in snow conditions.

Also....things that can break on impact will be far less effective than something that leaves a breadcrumb trail for searchers.
ELTs and Spots are helpful but break or are inaccessible at times.
I use an Garmin Inreach. Leaves a breadcrumb every minute (or whatever you want) so even if it breaks on impact, they can still find me.
Oh and you can text out that the fishing is great and you'll be gone another day.

I haven't been able to hone in on whether we're talking about camping or survival equipment. Seems to be a mix of both. I've always rated my fire starter, tent, and sleeping bags pretty high to start with. As far as the most underrated camping equipment, I'd say a Hydroflask growler and a well insulated and light coffee mug. That might also apply as survival equipment.

This is related to airplane camping. I wouldn't value the weight if I was packing it. Maybe the beer.

Brett


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Just a little clarity here. The boiling point of a liquid is the temp at which it turns from a liquid to a gas. The boiling point for butane is +32F and for propane it is -43F.

hotrod180 wrote:I asked about effectiveness of using vaselined cotton balls to do so...

Thanks again for answering, Durango.

I carry an old 35mm film canister packed with Vaseline-soaked cotton balls, and a sparker. Most times less than half a ball will start a fire - even in wet winter conditions. Quality tinder (and plenty to add as the fire catches) made with your handy sharp knife is essential. That canister of cotton balls typically lasts for 40+ fires.

Been using that "system" for over 40 years and don't see a compelling reason to change. The commercial fire starter tabs, while good, are expensive and some brands poop out after a few years of waiting to be lit!

Those youtube videos make everything look so easy, but rain & snow are real pains for getting an essential (read: I'm going to freeze my keester if this doesn't light!) fire going, especially with cold fingers, as someone mentioned. Having those cotton balls and a knowledge of which local trees, fungus, etc. provides good tinder really helps.
J

Besides a half dozen BIC type lighters scattered around the plane, I've been carrying the same highway flare for about 20 years now. Any comments on those, as an emergency backup fire starter? It's also been years since I've personally messed with one, but seem to remember a pretty long burn time, and a lot of heat, or was that my imagination? I also carry 2 BIC's in each of my two ebikes I trail ride in, after a spooky experience some years ago when, while not really lost, but was not really sure where the hell I was. I made a vow to never get caught again without the means to start a fire, and also got a cheap GPS trail marker about the same time. All it does is point back to where you started, and how far it is, simple and cheap. Another thing I carry at all times is a 6' length of fluorescent orange survey tape, cheap and weighs nothing, for flagging forks in a trail that I may mis-remember. Overkill usually, but I hate getting lost and KNOW I have a lousy sense of direction, both in the air and on the ground.

courierguy wrote:I've been carrying the same highway flare for about 20 years now. Any comments on those, as an emergency backup fire starter? It's also been years since I've personally messed with one, but seem to remember a pretty long burn time, and a lot of heat, or was that my imagination?

You could definitely start a fire with a road flare if you needed to and are a decent fire builder.

Another thing about those is that grizzlies don't seem to like the light, smoke and noise. I have had first hand experience running a big bear off from 20-30 yards with a road flare. He skedaddled both times.

So, 2 uses?! I just weighed my highway flare: 7 Oz's. Damn near half a pound, ouch, cotton balls and asoline lighter probably, but no good for bears. I'll keep my flare, it may even be 30 years old, my good luck charm. Ishould replace it as a matter of course I suppose.

Not suggesting that relying on a 30 year old road flare as a single line of defense against a charging grizzly is a super great idea.

I was way off, it was only 18 years old. I lite it off, easy and quick. But, the resultant combustion, while flare like, was a bit under whelming from a fire starting point of view. Not to say it wouldn't work, but it wasn't the propane torch like blast I had envisioned all these years. And at 7 ozs., I won't be replacing it. For $15.00 from Amazon, I have a Blast Match and some fire starter gunk on it's way. That, and my numerous BIC lighters, plus the up to 35 gallons of fire starting fluid I already carry in the plane should handle my fire starting needs for the foreseeable future.

I'm in the process of sorting out my kit. I just got my bags. They are Northface -20 down (x2). Tent is a Northface two man. Carrying two pads. One is blowup and one is the red foldable both by Northface. I'm also carrying Woolriche's polyfiber emergency blanket. One side is a water/wind barrier and the other is polyfiber. All of this fits nicely in a waterproof roll bag and weighs 25 lbs.

I'm still putting the rest of my kit together but I'm thinking: Solar charger, water purifier, micro tire pump, micro butane burner, bic lighters, couple days worth of freeze dried, med kit, micro cooking pan/coffee pot (must have coffee), foldable water carriers, signal mirror, leatherman and a few other odds and ends.

My plan is to spend all next summer flying around the back country. All this stuff will fit nicely in my extended baggage in waterproof roll bags.

Really looking forward to it!

Jim

I carry several of the large black plastic trash bags, they weigh nothing, and can be used for everything from unsticking your skis in the winter (that trick saved me a night out once, which made me feel better about littering when they flew off the skis) to wearing as a rain poncho, to carrying your other survival gear, to I suppose, putting in any trash one comes along on the hike out.

I also always carry a 8' square of Tyvek building wrap I picked up at a construction site out of the dumpster. It's the type they use under stucco/Dryvit, NOT smooth but with a texture to it, so not so slippery, weighs about nothing Lot's of uses for it, tarp, tent signal device (except in winter, duh) it's main use being ground cloth for the tent.

Here's mine so far:

Tent, cook set, burner, water purification, waterproof food storage, two 36 hour butane canisters, two sleeping bags, two bed rolls, all weather blanket, extreme weather hat, orange hat, extra gloves, two lighters, leatherman, med kit, fire starter (Vaseline and cotton balls) and signal mirror.

Unpacked:



Packed:



2' X 3.5' and 23.5lbs... Does not include food or water bags.

Jim

jaudette wrote:Here's mine so far:

Tent, cook set, burner, water purification, waterproof food storage, two 36 hour butane canisters, two sleeping bags, two bed rolls, all weather blanket, extreme weather hat, orange hat, extra gloves, two lighters, leatherman, med kit, fire starter (Vaseline and cotton balls) and signal mirror.


2' X 3.5' and 23.5lbs... Does not include food or water bags.

Jim

Have you looked into the Biolite stoves? https://www.bioliteenergy.com/

They have a little wood-fire camp stove you can cook with thats fitted with a thermoelectric generator. Maybe you could keep your phone charged while you cook dinner.

I haven't messed much with the one my mother bought, but my uncle loves his.

You mentioned a solar charger, but it always seems that the sun rarely shines when you need it to.

jaudette wrote:I'm in the process of sorting out my kit. I just got my bags. They are Northface -20 down (x2). Tent is a Northface two man. Carrying two pads. One is blowup and one is the red foldable both by Northface. I'm also carrying Woolriche's polyfiber emergency blanket. One side is a water/wind barrier and the other is polyfiber. All of this fits nicely in a waterproof roll bag and weighs 25 lbs.

I'm still putting the rest of my kit together but I'm thinking: Solar charger, water purifier, micro tire pump, micro butane burner, bic lighters, couple days worth of freeze dried, med kit, micro cooking pan/coffee pot (must have coffee), foldable water carriers, signal mirror, leatherman and a few other odds and ends.

My plan is to spend all next summer flying around the back country. All this stuff will fit nicely in my extended baggage in waterproof roll bags.

Really looking forward to it!

Jim

Jim,
I make a distinction between camping gear and survival gear because sure as hell if you eat some food or use a lighter while camping, you won't have it in an emergency. Camping gear expands and contracts according to weight and balance but the survival kit is a constant.

Probably a bit overkill, but I wear a converted fishing vest with enough stuff to survive for a few days: sat phone, water filter straw, spare leatherman, firestarter stuff, emergency blanket, bivvy sack, couple of energy bars, signal mirror, some pain meds. I also have an emergency kit in the back of the plane with a down jacket, big siltarp, sharp axe, freeze dried food, coffee, rocket stove, rudimentary fishing gear and some water.

If I can get to the kit in the back of the plane I will be more comfortable but the stuff in my vest should provide basic survival for a few days, after which the calculus really changes as far as rescue goes.

When camping, I carry a cot, nice sleeping bag, chair, folding table, jet boil, gas stove as well as cigars, beer and wine and (probably) whiskey.

Allan

albravo wrote:
Jim,
I make a distinction between camping gear and survival gear because sure as hell if you eat some food or use a lighter while camping, you won't have it in an emergency. Camping gear expands and contracts according to weight and balance but the survival kit is a constant.

Probably a bit overkill, but I wear a converted fishing vest with enough stuff to survive for a few days: sat phone, water filter straw, spare leatherman, firestarter stuff, emergency blanket, bivvy sack, couple of energy bars, signal mirror, some pain meds. I also have an emergency kit in the back of the plane with a down jacket, big siltarp, sharp axe, freeze dried food, coffee, rocket stove, rudimentary fishing gear and some water.

If I can get to the kit in the back of the plane I will be more comfortable but the stuff in my vest should provide basic survival for a few days, after which the calculus really changes as far as rescue goes.

When camping, I carry a cot, nice sleeping bag, chair, folding table, jet boil, gas stove as well as cigars, beer and wine and (probably) whiskey.

Allan

+1

That's a good video! Watched it about two weeks ago... Should be required viewing!

Jim