How do you stay warm?

[Haveuseen1]

I wanted to see if any of you had a better system to stay warm after you set up camp.  I layer and am fine while hiking.  It is after I set up camp that I start to get cold.  A campfire works of course.  Currently I have a down coat that I strap to my pack and wear it while setting up camp and sitting around the fire.  It is also nice to have in the morning when breaking camp.  What I dont like is the bulk and extra weight of the coat.

What do you do?

[Tacky Hiker]

If it is real chilly I have a coat, cold compression base layers, and a toasty camp fire. (You can take some hot hand pouches or warm up some water in your Nalgene and hold it close !) Keep your feet and head warm.

I guess that's pretty much all you can do. Well, that is what I do.

[JC785]

I'm typically one of those that doesn't get cold easily, but I normally wear a long sleeve Columbia fishing shirt, with Under Armour Cold Gear under it. Like Greg said hot hands work great for keeping you warm as well. On really cold nights throw a few in your sleeping bag and you will be nice and toasty.

[auwesman]

You may look into a more compressible down jacket.  Mine compresses into a small stuff sack and weighs less than 1 pound.  I have a synth jacket but I know a lot of down jackets are even more compressible (and lighter)than synth.
The biggest thing for me is having a good hood on my jacket.  They say something like 90% of your heat is lost through your head (or something like that) so when I put the hood on my jacket on I feel much much warmer.

I will also warm up some water on my stove and pour it into my nalgene.  Then put the nalgene under my jacket while I'm just lounging(my parka has two water bottle pockets).  A few of my buddies rewarm the water and put it in there sleeping bag at night also...though I've never done that myself.

My last technique is jumping jacks.  If I start to feel a chill I get up and do 15 - 20 jumping jacks.  Also usually do them before I get into my sleeping bag also.  Gets the blood pumping and gives a boost of warmth right before you get into the sack.

[Haveuseen1]

I have used the hot water in a nalgene bottle at the foot of my sleeping bag.  That works very well.  Kind of nice to slip into your already warmed up sleeping bag on a cold night. 

I have used hot hands and usually burn what is left in the morning.

[SmokeDiver]

I'm typically one of those that doesn't get cold easily, but I normally wear a long sleeve Columbia fishing shirt, with Under Armour Cold Gear under it. Like Greg said hot hands work great for keeping you warm as well. On really cold nights throw a few in your sleeping bag and you will be nice and toasty.

This is my exact clothing setup. The Columbia shirts are ultra comfy and the sleeves have that neat little button flap to em rolled up. Under Armor dries fast when you sweat. I've got a super comfy North Face Goliath bag, goes down to 0 degrees. It's well worth bringing a large comfy bag just to get a nice warm night's sleep.

[Tacky Hiker]

Yeah, I think I am going to get a Columbia shirt soon. I like the little button flap. 

[Pathfinder]

Smokediver, how tall are you?  I have a Goliath Bag also.  Being 6'0" tall, I find that there is too much excess length to the Goliath Bag and it makes it harder to keep the as warm since there is more air and space to heat.  I wish I had gotten a similar bag but not as long as the Goliath.  Does this make sense?

[SmokeDiver]

6'2". It fits me well, it also has a little pouch to stick your feet in. I have a stocky build so I fill out the bag well, thing is my feet are always really hot and the extra space at the bottom of the bag actually keeps them comfy. I can see where it would be a problem for cold feet peeps. I keep a fleece blanket handy to fill in any spaces in my bag that get cold.

[WolfVanZandt]

The problem with a campfire is that it only heats one side at a time - unles you have your back up to a reflector (heh). Otherwise, I just wear a lot of clothes and, if it gets too cold, I crawl in my tent and bury myself under a mountain of blankets.

By the way, don't let yourself wiggle off your ground pad in the middle of the night - I did that one time and woke up just shy of the icicle stage.

Actually, I have enough blubber and metabolism that I don't have to worry much about getting cold unless I'm down in Buck's Pocket in the winter. The Howlers from up north disdain our southern cold until they actually experience it and then they wish they had taken my advise and brought cold weather gear.

Well, they're good for entertainment value and I share my blankets.

[SmokeDiver]

It's that humid cold that gets them. A friend of mine was stationed in Alaska and said the cold here is worse than there because of the wet air.

[Ewker]

here is a good article about layering that might help you out

http://www.promountainsports.com/clothing.shtml

[Pathfinder]

Thanks for the article Ewker.

[Rob]

Layering is definately the key to staying warm. While hiking I usually wear a good quality base layer (Patigonia, Pricey but worth it IMO), Columbia ROC pants, Mtn. Hardware Windstopper Jacket, Mtn. Hardware Windstopper dome beanie, thinsulate gloves, Smartwool socks. For added wind protection I have used my N.F. Hyvent DT rain gear, however there is a word of caution when doing this, sweat/condensation can build up between rain gear and other layer and actually freeze if cold enough so is best not used while actually hiking. While in camp I use base layer and N.F. TKA100 Fleece top and bottom, ROC pants and Mtn.Hardware SubZero Down jacket which is very compressable. I know this sounds like a lot of gear but when it is 30* or less out in the wilderness, it sure beats hypothermia. (most of my winter hiking is in the Smokies in Jan. and Feb. Lots of ice and often snow. 17* is the lowest I have endured)

[SmokeDiver]

I've switched off of my Colombia rain gear. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice rain set but I sweat way too much in it. It kind of negates the purpose. I use a poncho now that covers my pack. Breathes a little easier.

[Lesley]

I freeze almost all the time. But I have discovered natural fabric baselayers (silk or wool) are warmer than synthetics, less smelly too. I wear a wool t-shirt, with a thick wool long sleeve baselayer over that, then my a high quality fleece 1/2 zip pullover, collar turned up. (Yes that makes a difference; full zip's are colder) and a hooded rain/windbreaker over all that. Legs get wool leggings and pants, swap for rain pants if it's really cold. Gloves! Top with a fleece hat. Make sure your top and bottom overlap so there's no exposed skin. Not that you asked, but you can sleep in all of this. I don't recommend it; take the synthetics off for sleeping. Shortly before bed drink a hot non-alcoholic beverage. I trade soggy socks for thickest pair of socks right before bed (used only for sleeping) and shake up a hot hands for in the bag away from the fire. I've found that the hot hands does better if I tuck it in my waist band just at my navel or small of my back. For some reason this helps warm me all over. Cinch down the bag and burrow.

[ednotmilkman]

I've always wondered if there was a way to use the warmest piece of gear you carry, the sleeping bag, as a wrap around your shoulders and down to your hips, in camp before turning in for the night. And again after rising. With duct tape and a friend,  could that work ? ?

[angrysparrow]

I've always wondered if there was a way to use the warmest piece of gear you carry, the sleeping bag, as a wrap around your shoulders and down to your hips, in camp before turning in for the night. And again after rising. With duct tape and a friend,  could that work ? ?

It works well if your bag or quilt is designed for it. 

The Jacks-R-Better No-Sniveler quilts are designed for use that way, with a velcro head hole mid-quilt, for use as a serape.  They also sell down hoods and sleeves, to make a full insulation combo.  Dorky looking, but extremely effective.

Another approach, ala sleeping bag, is a Feathered Friends Rock Wren.  It is essentially a bag with velcro arm holes, and a drawstring bottom to allow you to walk while wearing the bag.

[Haveuseen1]

Currently I layer and have good success with it.  I guess the end result is winter = more gear to pack. I use synthetic base layers, fleece, and wool.  For rain gear I have always used my trusty frogg toggs ( I Just love those ).  I just was checking to see if I was missing anything.

Thanks

[WolfVanZandt]

With duct tape and a friend,  could that work ? ?

Hey, I've seen that work. This guy was sleeping and his friends duct taped him into his sleeping bag. Great comedy!

I keep seeing these sleeping bags in Backpacker that you wear, though.

The roughest thing to me, though, is getting into that cold sleeping bag and enduring it until my body heats warms it up.