[at-l] Dealing with cold (was Packing a Platy)

[Mara Factor]

Wearing layers inside your sleeping bag will only reduce the effectiveness 
of the bag if your added bulk ends up compressing the loft of the bag.  So, 
if your bag  is roomy, those added layers will help.  If your bag is tight, 
you may be doing yourself a disservice wearing the extra cloths.

Wearing rain gear in you bag may have had the effect of a vapor barrier 
liner. VBLs are usually best used in only extremely cold weather on long 
expeditions (think skiing to the poles) where there is no chance whatsoever 
of drying to dry your sleeping bag as your sweat builds up in the bag.  
Plus, you wouldn't want more than one layer under the VBL as they will 
retain all the moisture from your sweat.  Then you end up hiking in wet 
clothes the next day.

Google found this reasonable entry about VBLs if you're interested in more 
information:

http://www.netbackpacking.com/vapor-barrier-and-radiant-barrier-liners.html

Mara
Stitches, AT99

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>From: "Dennis Gass" <dennis at katom.com>
>Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2006 00:32:10 -0400
>
...
>I was VERY uncomfortable for the 15 hours I laid in my bag waiting on
>the sun to come back up to warm things up.  I may have screwed up by
>climbing into it with all of my clothing on...couple of layers of fleece
>and my rain jacket...gloves...etc.