May 24, 2006 - Sleeping Bag Blues, How do you sleep in a sleeping bag when the temperature is -36 degrees Options

[Kevin_McMahon]

How do you sleep in a sleeping bag when the temperature is -36 degrees Celsius in your tent?

Ok, let’s be honest. There is no easy way to stay warm in a sleeping bag at night when it is that cold. Since I am new to sleeping in arctic conditions, I asked some of the experts about their guaranteed methods of keeping warm at night.



According to Mike Bergin, you need to wriggle around like a crazy person until you and your sleeping bag warm up. Mike is showing us the technique in the photo above. He was moving so fast the camera could not focus on him.




According to Meredith from the University of Washington, you should fill a nalgene bottle with boiling hot water. Close the lid and stick the bottle at the bottom of your sleeping bag for toasty warm feet. Meredith is demonstrating this technique in the photo above.



According to Gayle Hagler, you should always wear a winter hat to bed and pull it over your eyes to block out the midnight sun. Nice demonstration, Gayle.


How did I do on my first night? Well, it was an experience. The temperature dropped to -33 degrees Celsius. I tried all three methods and was able to get a few hours sleep at a time. However, the bright light of the sun kept waking me up and tricking me into thinking it was morning. I woke up at 11:30 p.m., 1:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. before finally starting my day at 6:30 a.m. I think I will stick with the water bottle and the hat tricks. Sorry, Mike.

Another weird thing happened. Because it was so cold, the water vapor from my breath hit the sleeping bag and turned to frost. I woke up with frost covering the front of my sleeping bag! Here’s a bad picture of the frost. It looks yellow because the sun is traveling through my yellow tent.



6th graders, do you remember the water cycle stories you created? This frost on the sleeping bag would be an interesting twist in your stories about Mickey the water molecule. If you have already forgotten about the water cycle, you can click this link to refresh your memory: The Water Cycle

Arctic Fact of the Day: In Greenland, dog sleds always have the right of way.

So long for now.