Managing Moisture In Bitter Cold

After three weeks sleeping in sub-zero temperatures, we’re getting a warming trend. I had plenty of insulation (2 sleeping bags), so I haven’t been cold at night. I have, however, had to deal with frost. Living and sleeping in subzero temperatures is an exercise in moisture management. The moisture expelled by your skin ends up as frost in the insulation of your sleeping gear, as well as in your boot liners. These must be dried daily, or they soon begin to lose the ability to keep you warm. In temperatures above about 10 degrees F, I’ve never had moisture build up from frost become an issue.

For sleeping bags, this will build up even if you aren’t breathing into your bag (which you shouldn’t do because your moist breath speeds the rate of icing).

As I was busy running a course, I wasn’t always able to get everything dry that I needed to. On two nights there was enough ice buildup in my sleeping bag where it was noticably cold when I got in. It soon warmed up from my body heat, and I took the time to dry it out the next day.

The challenges presented by extended stays in bitter cold must be met with a well-reasoned approach to maintaining the viability of insulation by managing moisture. When this is done well, living out in the cold is a much more enjoyable experience.

Blog

JMBS Master Calendar
All scheduled programs.
· JMBS Master Calendar
 
JMBS Sites
· Field School – Professional Training, Semester & Expedition Programs. Masardis, Maine.
· Classic Wilderness Guiding – Canoe, Snowshoe & Sea Kayak Trips
· School Of The Forest – Teen & Youth Programs
· JMB Web Portal – Guide To All Our Programs & Sites

BushcraftSchool.com
Community platform & online courses.
· BushcraftSchool.com
 
Typos, Etc.
Anything that appears to be an error in spelling or grammar is actually the author’s clever use of the vernacular, and as such is not an error, but rather a carefully placed literary device demonstrating prodigious artistic prowess.

JMB Blog & Media Hub
Home to our blog, videos, podcast, photos and updates, going back to 2006.
· JMB Media
 
Email List
Join our email list and keep up with what we’re doing. More Info.


Featured In:
Jack Mountain Bushcraft Media Appearances Image

Life Member – MPGA
mpga graphic
Life Member – MWGO
mwgo graphic

MWGO Quality Endorsement
MWGO

Academic Partner – UMPI
UMPI graphic
Academic Partner – WSCU
WSCU graphic