Going to be cold tonight/tomorrow night - adding blankets to the mix?

[gmajor]

Heading out for a little backpacking trip today, supposed to get down to around 19 degrees both nights. My quilt is rated for 20, so is the sleeping bag my fiancee is using. I'm worried about being cold - especially with her coming along. One of these months I'm going to pick up a BA Qcore pad or two, but all I've been using for years are Zlites.

Anyway, I'm thinking I'll toss in a couple fleece blankets for this trip. My question is, if I lay one down on the ground, then put our pads over that, how much warmth do you guys think that will add to the pads? I would lay the other blanket over top of us. We'll also be doing the hot water bottle trick plus wearing wool/down. Sure wish my stove was here!

 

[Becca]

Hard to say how much the fleece blankets will increase the temp rating, but I don't think having them along will hurt. Hopefully you are pleasantly surprised and stay nice and warm. Make sure you both have warm hats, and even balaclavas to wear while you sleep. Another good trick when you know the temps will be cold is to pick up some of the large thermawrap heat packs. They are usually sold in the pharmacy at most drug stores, are adhesive and last 8-12 hours. We have a friend who uses the large back sized pads religiously, and I have used the neck/shoulder ones as well. Put them right on your skin, they will still be putting out heat long after the hot water has cooled off.

 

[gmajor]

Hard to say how much the fleece blankets will increase the temp rating, but I don't think having them along will hurt. Hopefully you are pleasantly surprised and stay nice and warm. Make sure you both have warm hats, and even balaclavas to wear while you sleep. Another good trick when you know the temps will be cold is to pick up some of the large thermawrap heat packs. They are usually sold in the pharmacy at most drug stores, are adhesive and last 8-12 hours. We have a friend who uses the large back sized pads religiously, and I have used the neck/shoulder ones as well. Put them right on your skin, they will still be putting out heat long after the hot water has cooled off.

Yep, we've got a pretty solid clothing system - she'll be wearing a merino buff and hat. I've got a series of layering hoods plus merino hat. But still...I want to make sure she's not shivering through the night. She's tough, and I'm probably not giving her enough credit, but I still want to make sure she keeps having a blast on our trips. The adhesive heat packs are interesting, hadn't heard of that one yet! Sometimes used to toss in a couple handwarmers...