Staying warm on cold nights at high camps
At Deosai or Babusar Top, temperatures can drop below zero even in July. Most people who sleep badly blame the sleeping bag, but the cold usually comes from below.
Insulate from the ground first
The ground pulls heat away from your body all night. A mat with an R-value of 4 or more stops most of it. On snow or frozen ground, stack a foam mat under an inflatable one.
Choose the bag by comfort rating
The comfort rating is the temperature at which an average person sleeps comfortably. The limit rating is closer to survival. Pick a comfort rating at or below the coldest night you expect.
Small habits that add up
- Eat a warm meal with some fat before bed.
- Change into dry clothes and socks. Damp layers steal heat.
- Fill a steel bottle with hot water and put it in your bag.
- Use a liner to add several degrees of warmth.
- Wear a hat to bed and close the bag hood around your face.
Put these together and even a modest bag will feel warmer than you expect.
