Ground Insulation

[Mally]

We all know the importance of good ground insulation to provide a fair proportion pof comfort and
warmth in our outdoor ventures.
We can underestimate the importance of our insulation however, until we've been pushed to the extreme.

So here is my story. Take from it what you will.
The year was 1991. It was early November and I was doing my second expedition of the Basic Expedition Training Award.. now known as Basic Expedition Leaders Award.
Anyway, the first night was spent on the edge of Stokesly, itself on the edge of the north Yorkshire moors.
After numerous exercises, we spent the night in patrol tents in what can only be described as torrential rain.
The second night was the lightweight camp on the north yorkshire moors.
The insructors informed us that the weather had forecast a freak spell of cold weather.
The instructors offered us a second sleep mat for extra protection.
I refused the sleep mat, my excuse being unable or unwilling to take another mat wheh after all I wouldn't be able to call on the use of a random mat if I was out alone in the middle of november.
-10 it certainly went. And I was freezing.
After enduring a few sleepless hours of the freezing cold l decided to try and improve my situation.
I took out my spare clothing and placed the items under my mat. Oh the difference,
I managed to grab a couple of hours sleep.
Incidently, evetyone else who had the two mats slept well.
Never underestimate the importance of ground insulation.

[Plymtom]

Didn't I see a survival show once where they built a fire in a pit with a load of rocks in, or bury hot rocks where they were going to sleep?

[Mally]

Yeah, thats s valid technique and a real lifesaver apparently. The warmth is slowly released from the hot rockc throughthe ground. A kind of underfloor heating. I have used hot rocks Iin my shelter, (not underground). It worked pretty well for a short time but soon went cold. Under the ground they're insulated, so retain their warmth for the night..

[DKR]

Lack of insulation can kill you.

On a lark, I built a cardboard box shelter and added several layers of cardboard under. On top of the cardboard I had a sleeping mat and a section of foil insulation (reflectix brand) and on top a single wool blanket. At -2F was able to sleep comfortably. I wore polypro base layer, wool booties and a good knit cap. Without the extra layers under, I would not have been able to stay out that night.


I copied this design - only adding a foil blanket over the top to keep off the snow.

http://www.practicalsurvivor.com/urbans ... oldweather
Full directions and photos at the link, I must credit this site as the source for my shelter plans, it worked the treat.

cheers
Don

[Darktide]

I use a thermarest neoair, either on the ground or as under insulation in a hammock. Very comfortable and warm, although the coldest I've been out in is about -5. I also carry an original space blanket with me as well as they are pretty versatile and have multiple uses

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[Yorkshire Andy]

Its always entertaining seeing first time campers blowingvup a basic air bed there is a lot to be said for investing in a good "sleep system"

[FEISTY]

Its always entertaining seeing first time campers blowingvup a basic air bed there is a lot to be said for investing in a good "sleep system"

Now, you shouldn't scoff at those of us who don't camp and are a bit pathetic in that respect . Between buying this house and selling our other one, we had a year of moving between both and had no beds in this one. I bought a double and two single blow up mattresses from a local supermarket. They are the biggest load of rubbish ever. Not only did they deflate through the night, but the sweat from our bodies (the GCH wasn't reliably on either and we were freezing!) caused black mould marks to appear pretty quickly, because they had a suede effect finish which was impossible to clean properly and stayed damp. Several layers underneath us did nothing to either keep us warm or stop the marking. I couldn't get rid of them fast enough. I saw something recently where brightly coloured, interlinking, foam floor tiles were suggested as good tent flooring. Not sure if a few of those strapped onto a backpack would be any lighter or convenient than an extra mat. I think the idea was to combine insulation by flooring the whole area inside the tent with a cool look and they could be dismantled and carried in the car easily. A similar idea to the cork bathroom floor tiles I seem to have a hazy memory of as a young child - much warmer than lino, but too brittle to carry about.

[FEISTY]

I use a thermarest neoair, either on the ground or as under insulation in a hammock. Very comfortable and warm, although the coldest I've been out in is about -5. I also carry an original space blanket with me as well as they are pretty versatile and have multiple uses

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

My thoughts exactly. I have a couple of large duvet type Mylar blankets. With the large size, you could put your ground mat and sleeping blanket inside. Much less of your own heat would be able to escape.

[Memphis]

I know the military ways are outdated in some ways, however from many personal experiences the issue roll mat, sleeping bag, bivi bag and poncho are perfectly warm enough, even when you have to 'crack' your clothes in the morning to get them on because they froze in your bergen!

Sent from my GT-N8010 using Tapatalk

[pseudonym]

Reflective groundsheet.
Jervens bag
Folding kip mat
Exped 7 Down inflatable mat
Army arctic slleping
Bivvi boots,
Themal bottoms
Thermal jacket
Balaclava





-17 C in Norway

Toasty