Best Cold Weather Camping "Accessory"

[Collared Lizard]

DOES ANYONE HERE HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH THE CHEMICAL HEATPACKS THAT ARE AVAILABLE?  THEY ARE SMALL, CHEAP, LIGHT AND CAN BE SAFELY DISPOSED WHEN YOU RETURN FROM YOUR TRIP.  SOME ARE RATED FOR 12 HOURS OF HEAT.  MY WORRY IS I DONT KNOW HOW DURABLE THEY ARE.  I WOULD HATE TO HAVE ONE LEAK INSIDE MY BACKPACK.   

[RichardM]

They are commonly used by snow skiers. "12 hours" is, shall we say, highly optimistic. Occasionally the packets do leak, resulting in fine graphite-like powder staining whatever it comes in contact with. The toe heater packs I tried years ago were worthless. The hand warmers are a little better, but not consistent. I'd carry them as emergency/backup gear, but wouldn't rely on them as a primary source of heat. Better to get some decent gloves and glove liners if you're prone to sweating.

[Frau]

I haven't tried it yet but I will be using it over the next four nights: the Coleman BlackCat.  I am hoping since we can't have campfires this will help us warm up before bed and in the morning.

 That one works like a charm, when you can not or do not have time to start a fire.

 A friend of mine, took his 60+ year old Dad to tag along in the El Coahuilon trail. It was bitter cold, temps. averaged in the 0's-10's, ther was a fire ban in the Sierras due to the fact of recent fires there, well he brought that Coleman heater to put it inside of the tent, that way his dad would not freeze going to sleep or waking up in the middle of the night to take a leak. That tent was warm and cozy all the time.

 He was well prepared with the gear and all, but his father was a cold person and he spent most of the time inside of the rigs with the heater on. He just could not stand being outside at all, I even pulled one of my Mummy type military sleeping bags for him, so he could come outside and sit with us and talk. He was snug toasty inside and could participate in the conversations. But i tell you that heater is a blessing for little ones and older folks. It does not weight too much either.

i think, you convinced me! How much is your commission??

[Frau]

I haven't tried it yet but I will be using it over the next four nights: the Coleman BlackCat.  I am hoping since we can't have campfires this will help us warm up before bed and in the morning.

what's wrong with dressing in warm layers, down sleeping bags, etc??

[Frau]

Keeping your head and neck warm will keep your body warm wool cap and neck scarf with the other suggestions mentioned.

you are my kind of guy!! didn't the Indians do that?

[homerboy2u]

My commission is to see you in Boquillas and be the first to open up two Cervezas at the Bar and have our beloved Boquillas Canyon singer..sing us a song in German.....while i work up the details for the SDC-Maderas Trip, this fall.

[Frau]

My commission is to see you in Boquillas and be the first to open up two Cervezas at the Bar and have our beloved Boquillas Canyon singer..sing us a song in German.....while i work up the details for the SDC-Maderas Trip, this fall.

LOVE the idea!! You'll see me there! I'll even bring german Cervezas!!

[RichardM]

Off-topic (more or less) stuff has been split off to http://www.bigbendchat.com/portal/forum/other-stuff/re-best-cold-weather-camping/

[randell]

So the Coleman Black cat worked out well.  Fortunately we didn't really need it.  We turned it on briefly after carrying it on the back of a backpack two nights in a row (short hikes in) just to say we used it but it wasn't really cold enough to need it.

The only time we really used it was car camping at Rio Grande Village.  We woke up and it was 33 degrees so I aimed it at my wife's legs so she could warm up while drinking coffee and the kids warmed their hands on it.  Later we moved it into the tent vestibule while we packed up the tent and it warmed up the tent nicely.  My wife highly recommends it (she is the one who always gets cold).

[beemerchef]

I carry that heater with us and works well before climbing in with Big Agnes... I mean sleeping in a Big Agnes 0 degree pad and bag... I carry two bottles. 2 will last 3 nights if left on all the time but never a need for it with also the Hilleberg tent.

Be well... Ara & Spirit