Outdoor Adventure USA

Inclement Weather Camping

Continued from 1/26/23

Camping in less than ideal conditions is something that just about everyone has experienced. The net this week will be about those experiences. We need to hear about those trips and the gear that you had that made a positive difference or the gear that you wish you had. Join us!!!

Camping In The Rain, Snow, Hail, Sleet, or Wind

I realize that not everyone appreciates camping when weather happens, but I do. In fact, each season has something very special to offer to the camper who is well prepared. One of my early camping lessons, was the realization that the best way to discourage friends and family from ever camping again was for them to be unprepared for the weather. There are few things as unpleasant as spending a night shivering from the cold because of a light sleeping bag or the lack of appropriate clothing. In my defense however, I always made sure that everyone knew how important it was to be properly prepared. What I didn't realize was that many people who have lived their entire lives in moderate climates seem to think that being prepared for cold weather simply meant a light sweater. On our trips, when the mercury dropped below 40 degrees, that extra sweater just didn't do the job, and that was especially so at night. Never saw 'em again on a camping trip.

The deserts, plains, and mountains have so much to offer in all 4 seasons, and some of our very best trips have been in snow, rain, and wind. Here are some of our trips:

KINGS CANYON



EAST MOJAVE DESERT



NAVAJO NATION AT NAVAJO NATIONAL MONUMENT



THE NECESSARY GEAR


TENTS


HEATERS

Tent heaters are not as plentiful as they were some years ago. This was largely due to campers that left them on for an entire night, inside their tents, despite quite clear instructions that it was dangerous. While it still is beyond the capabilities of medicine to cure stupid, the only other way to deal with these problems was to just stop making heaters. Up until about 15 years ago, Coleman was the biggest manufacturer of tent heaters, but I guess that they grew weary of getting sued by people who refused to read instructions. One of the last camping heaters that Coleman made (whether catalytic or not) was the "Cat" series, (ProCat, BalckCat and SportCat.) These catalytic heaters were easy to start, more compact than the earlier 1960s models, and able to produce a reasonable amount of heat. One of the more useful features of the ProCat heater was the battery operated fan, which distributed heated air quickly. When used wisely, these heaters are a terrific way to make cold evenings and mornings much more pleasant.


My Coleman ProCat heater has been in use for the last 20 years, or so, and with the exception of replacing the fan switch, it has performed flawlessly as my tent heater. Camp set-up is never complete without the Coleman ready to go.


Today, there is only one company (to my knowledge) that makes heaters that are suitable for use as a tent heater- Mr. Heater. Here are two of their heaters that will serve campers well in cold climates.


CLOTHING

This is a category that can easily be the subject of an entire net (and it will be), but I will only mention three things for this net:

• Layering

• Research

• More is better than not enough.

WIND AND RAIN

If you camp enough. eventually you'll get just about every type of weather. Wind seems to be a constant companion on many of our trips, and rain may be a close second, depending on the season, of course.
Wind Shelter


Rain Shelter

Heating

An appropriate set of clothing, shelter, and good sleeping gear is usually sufficient to keep you comfortably warm, unless you're suffering from some stage of hypothermia. Heating can be regarded as a comfortable and even joyful addition to your camping experience.

When you see this in the evening, you know it's time to prepare for a cold night.
Various forms of heating bring comfort (hopefully not a survivial need).

• Heaters
• Heated Fabrics (Clothing, Blankets)

Let's first look at the mechanisms by which heat is delivered.


Radiant vs. Conduction vs. Convection

Radiant (infrared **)

Heats objects without any medium

• "Instant" heat
• Does not require a medium to propagate heat (passes through air)
• Effective in outdoor / outside / breezy areas

Often utilizes a very hot source that can ignite combustible materials and cause skin burns
Only warms the side of objects that face the heat source

** Note: infrared electromagnetic radiation frequencies are usually used for heating

Conduction

Heated medium contacts object to transfer heat

• Nice for localized heat transfer (e.g., hands)

Convection

Heats a medium (air) which in turn heats objects

• Air absorbs heat poorly (air is often used as an insulator)
• Heated air will only rise upward unless directed by fans, but can circulate all around objects
• Heated air is a poor conductor of heat
• Heated air needs to be contained, can't be used outdoors / outside

Power Sources

• Propane
  Complete combustion:
  C3H8 (propane) + 5 O2 (oxygen) → 3 CO2 (carbon dioxide) + 4 H2O (water vapor) + heat
  Incomplete combustion:
  2 C3H8 (propane) + 9 O2( oxygen) → 4 CO2 (carbon dioxide) + 8 H2O (water vapor) + heat + 2 CO (carbon monoxide)
• Butane
  Complete combustion:
  2 C4H10 (butane) + 13O2 (oxygen) → 8CO2 (carbon dioxide) + 10H2O (water vapor) + heat
  Incomplete combustion:
  2 C4H10 (butane) + 7 O2 (oxygen) → CO2 (carbon dioxide) + 10 H2O (water vapor) + heat + 2 CO (carbon monoxide) + 5C (soot)
  • Water vapor can increase humidity and lead to condensation on cold surfaces (inside of tent).
  • During complete combustion, both propane and butane burn with a blue flame. A yellow or orange flame indicate incomplete combustion.
  • So, might produce carbon monoxide, depletes oxygen, and produces carbon dioxide. Use with care!
• Diesel

Heaters

Radiant Heaters

Everyone's favorite radiant heat, in this case very evident
I camped once with a guy who used one of these. Very effective heat source, 40000 BTUs is claimed. Maybe an effective replacement for a campfire where wood fires are not allowed.
Mr. Heater makes a variety of sizes of radiant propane heaters, from 3800 BTUs (Little Buddy) to 18000 BTUs (Big Buddy). The Buddy heaters have oxygen sensors and will shut down if oxygen is limited. They might also shut down at higher altitudes. While "safe" with good airflow / combustion, most people do not use these while sleeping.

Multiple uses!
A small 3400 BTU butane heater, the Kovea Cupid is handy for early morning or late night heat, or for taking into a camp "privacy tent". They do not have oxygen sensors and must be used with care.
There are a number of wood-burning stoves that are suitable for use with "hot tents". I have no experience with them.
Sold as an indoor heater, this Vesta Space Heater is a fairly new development. It uses canned chafing fuel which is supposedly safe indoors though does require adequate ventilation. Cans, which burn for up to 6 hours, are about $2 each. There is a fan inside which spins when heated. Not clear how many BTUs it produces. Conduction Heaters

Won't talk much about these. I see conduction primarily used for hand warmers, unless you're using a mattress heater over your air mattress.

I've often used these chemical heaters which warm up when exposed to air. I read a number of times about folks putting these into their sleeping bags, though have never tried it.
Convection Heaters

Probably the most comfortable heat, though inefficient, is convection heat delivered by heated air.

The Big Buddy heater used to have an internal fan powered by four D batteries. (Mine in fact does.) I'm not clear why it was removed, but the Mr. Heater site says this:

*Due to recent governmental changes to import tariffs, Mr. Heater has removed the fan on some models of the Mr. Heater Big Buddy® (MH18B). We apologize for the inconvenience and confusion this has caused some customers.

An alternative is to cobble together or buy a heat-operated fan which attaches to your Buddy heater. These are effective at spreading heated air.
Blue Flame


I have no experience use these because they're illegal in California (but on a trip to another state just might come back with one). Most of the reviews I've seen are very positive. They are intended as indoor heaters with BTU output ranging from 10000 to 30000. While this does use open flame, the intent is to heat air not radiate. I'd like to try one in a tent with a ceiling fan (and a CO monitor). A problem might be condensation due to water vapor.

Forced Air

Forced air heaters are just like what most homes use. There is a combustion chamber with its own air input and exhaust output ducts, separate from the air ducts. The air output is dry warm air free from any combustion by-products.

Diesel

Diesel heaters have become very popular on the "overlanding" forums. They're usually Chinese-made, generally a good amount of heat output (12000 to 20000 BTUs), and thermostat-controlled. The drawbacks are dealing with diesel fuel, occasional diesel smell, and (reported by many) "clicking" of the fuel pump. Also, since the fuel is subject to the outside cold, if cold enough the diesel fuel might gel unless additives are used. Overall, for $100 to $200 plus a little DIY, this seems a great way to go for dry, safe warmth.
Propane

I adapted a 6500 BTU Propex propane vehicle furnace for tent use as shown below. I didn't want to deal with diesel fuel, and was already carrying propane tanks. Plus, propane has a boiling point of -44 degrees so good down to low temperatures.

I modified my tent with roof jacks (aka pipe flashing) for the air intake and heated air output, as I was losing warm air running ducts through the front door zipper. Works well.
Heated Clothing

I've always been a fan of heated clothing during the day. I won't get into this, but will say it's more effective when the heating element is close to your body, so a tight heated vest or shirt under a regular jacket is much more effective than a loose heated jacket.

Since winter is over, heated clothing sales are started.

https://www.thewarmingstore.com/


Heated (Electric) Blanket

I'm still experimenting with 12V electric blankets that are available on Amazon for $20 to $45. Just a few minutes inside a sleeping bag made it nicely warm, and didn't draw much power from my battery.

Winter Layering Clothing Systems

Note: picture just for reference. This Vermont resident knows a thing or two about cold weather gear.
You may not need to shell out big bucks to acquire a winter layering clothing system!

$1287.62 in name brands vs. $197.30 in "Amazon" brands (+ $21 Nikwax water repellant)

Though you know where the alternative clothing most likely comes from.

YouTube: The Truth About Expensive Winter Gear

KK6CTT with an old 7th INF DIV (L) adventure. A learning experience.

I open with a photo... An example of "travel light, freeze at night" but in this case it did not matter because the whole time we were out in the Yakima training area, Washington state, it never rose above 32.5 degrees day or night.

• Barriers between elements and skin

• Keeping dry

• Gortex or "wonder garments" are not the end-all-be-all and they are noisy

• Metal transmits cold (in this case Jungle Boots with their steel shank protection)

• Caloric intake vs. what you need, weight to load out ratio management

• New sets of problems with "extreme weather"

• Battery performance

• Hydration vs. dehydration

• Stoves, lighters/igniters and general use items in the campsite, "It worked last time..."

• Condition (low body fat?)

• Conditioning, acclimatization, snow blindness and altitude sickness; things we do not usually have to deal with or bother to worry about

• Crossload gear with "critical gear" always kept close at hand

Some recollections from this field trip:

• Dave, "...they literally had us bagged for South America, 3/4 of the battalion had nerve damage in our feet, because of this....guys were wearing Jungle Boots in wet weather boots. It wasn't pretty...we would walk all night, in hopes of daylight being warmer..."

• Greg, "...spent 3 years in Korea, But had the proper equipment."

• Will, "Snow. Leather boots and Gortex. My Platoon Sergeant said they were doing an experiment on how the Gortex would hold up. I think the last day I was pulled out because of my feet being numb and pin-prick sensations. There were at least 6 others from the company with the same thing pulled out."

• Andrew, "I slept with a stray Saint Bernard. Great time in the snow."

"Creature Comforts"
plural noun
things that contribute to bodily comfort and ease, as food, warmth, a comfortable bed, hot water for bathing, etc.
Source: Dictionary.com. It's on the Internet so it must be true and correct!

"Passive"
adjective
1. not involving visible reaction or active participation:
2. inert or quiescent.
Source: Dictionary.com. It's on the Internet so it must be true and correct!

Camp Boots and Socks
During an active day, your feet may stay sufficiently warm inside your regular water resistant boot and sock combination. However, when your activity decreases and the temperature drops, your feet can easily get cold and ruin your evening or possibly the rest of the trip. This situation can occur when you get into camp and begin to relax for the evening.

Camp boots and socks can provide substantial cold-weather comfort with most of the effort limited to simply changing from your day boots and socks to your camp boots and socks. By switching to your camp boots and socks in the evening, you'll have a chance to dry out your day boots to remove the accumulated, heat-robbing moisture from sweat and the environment.

Camp Boots. These include loose fitting, waterproof boots. Loose fitting allows for thick socks and provide room to move your toes. Waterproof keeps moisture from wetting your socks and increasing the transfer of warmth from your feet to the outside environment.

Look for calf-high boots with an adjustable opening to make it easier to slip in your foot. Since the camp boots will likely be worn in rain, snow, or icy conditions, look for a traction tread. When possible, try on the boots with the thick socks you want to wear inside. Remember, you don't want a snug fit or a sloppy fit, you want a loose fit that allows you to wiggle your toes.

You can find camp boots from ~$30 to over $200. Top dollar does not always mean better value or performance.



Camp Socks. These include thick, insulating and wicking socks. There are plenty of 100% wool and wool and synthetic blend socks to serve this roll. These socks should be too thick to wear in your day boots.

Look for wool and synthetic blends for less itching and longer wear. Calf-height socks help keep your lower legs warm.

You can find camp socks from ~$9 to $25 per pair. Pick up several pairs and plan to wear a clean dry pair every day in camp.



Tent Blanket
There's few things in life less comfortable than bare feet against the plastic floor of a Springbar tent or the nylon floor of another tent.

Comfort inside your tent can be measurably increased by covering the tent floor with a blanket.

Look for a camp blanket that features a water-resistant and windproof polyester canvas surface on one side and a warm, soft fleece on the other side. These features provide for a multitude of uses of the same camp blanket (just remember to keep the canvas surface on the "earth side" so that the soft side will stay cleaner for contact with the user). The camp blanket does not need to cover the entire floor of the tent, just the areas that might be traveled with bare feet!

Camp blankets vary widely in price and are often found on sale at significant discounts. Camp blankets can run from ~$30 to ~$200. Top dollar does not always mean better value or performance.

Please check us in.
Kevin KK6DGL
Jack KK6WXQ
John KM6FXI
John KJ6UNC
Thank you.

Colder than expected.

Kelso Dunes, California
November
It was colder than expected, upper 30’s.


Take a Ways:
1. Memory foam gets hard as a rock when it is cold.

2. If you are using a large tent or sleeping quarters, section it
off with a blanket. It’s easier to keep a small living space
warm than a large one.

3. Bring more warm cloths and bedding than you think you
will need.

4. A full stomach will keep you warmer than an empty one.
5. Canned fuels don’t work well in freezing temps.

Should have brought with me:
1. A 12 volt electric blanket would have allowed me to warm
up the bedding.
2. Reflectix insulin is very effective when used to cover
Windows. Wish I didn’t forget it.
Random thoughts :
I utilize a battery box for ham radio, air mattress , lighting and other needs. I am all lithium batteries now, which don’t work well in cold weather and should not be charged when too cold. Plan to warm them in the car with the heater or place them next to the outlet of your fridge freezer to keep warm.



Be mindful of condensation in enclosed spaces. Vent small spaces, especially if using a heater.

Check in please - KC6JGZ Russ

Please check in Randy KF6KOC and Becky KF6RGR.

thanks!