Commander Zero tests out the sleeping bag he keeps in the vehicle for unplanned emergencies.
Go RTWT.
At night, outside, in Montana, at 0º F., in February, with a 10-15MPH wind. Real world conditions.
That's how you test your gear, kids. In the worst conditions you might encounter. Not at 60° F. in May, by a peaceful lake, nor at 72° F. on your living room carpet. Learn, and live. Or, don't.
You do test your gear and preps...right? All of them? Down to the least little detail?
4 comments:
Several times a year, out primitive/car camping, trout stalking, taking Brushbeaters emcomm courses, disconnecting home from grid, firing up generator, yeah quite a bit..
BTDT. Snow camping is wonderful. No bugs, no dirt, absolute peace and quiet. Until I get cold. Then I hate every minute of it. So, as we learned (every trip is another test case) absolute top-o-the-line gear is key. Those temperature ratings for bags? In general, they're survival ratings, NOT comfort ratings.
We were camping at about 11,000 ft on the east face of Shasta one time, and after getting all set up and settled in, we put our water bottles between our bags on top of the Thermarest pads. Big mistake. They were frozen solid in the morning. We should have had them IN the bags with us. We were toasty and slept fine, but coffee in the morning was somewhat delayed while we melted snow.
It was 32 below zero (F) last night. After a two foot snowfall on top of previous two feet.
Yup,, I thought about sleeping out... as I curled up under my down blankets on a bed topped with an electric blanket.
Bad news: I haven't performed the CZ Cold Weather Gear Test.
New project on the list.
Good news: last weekend I *did* perform my q 6 month battery test and inventory. Rotated out some sketchy Duracells, for Energizers. Function tested field phones (TDW-Mark II participated and had actual fun!) and radios.
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