I was taught by a military winter survival instructor, he said to use the 3/1 rule for every layer of insulation you place above you place 3 under you. The cold not coming from the air but the block of ice your laying on and the frozen ground is like a block of ice

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

You are completely right! It's the ground that'll really kill you! Keep Moving Forward!

@perzperez6316

3 жыл бұрын

I remember seeing a survivor episode, we're they broke the ice and dug up the dirt then layer there tent. They also said after digging out the dirt the floor was warmer.

@steve_____K307

3 жыл бұрын

Great video. I agree with the comments about the ground temperature being the issue. The best use of the space blanket in the situation described here would have been to fold it up for placement under your sleep system. In fact, every piece of gear you have laying around you should be flattened out and placed under you too including your empty flattened backpack. That is your best bang for the buck -- isolation from the ground.

@gimmedahhcookies4341

2 жыл бұрын

This is why I hammock in the winter time, throw an insulated air pad (R- rating: 4.2) in your hammock and a 0 degree sleeping bag and you'll be comfy

@KENFEDOR22

2 жыл бұрын

@@gimmedahhcookies4341 I'm taking it one step further this weekend when the temps will drop to 12 F; combining the down underquilt with a 2" inflatable pad in my hammock. My only concern is keeping "inside" the underquilt - not having the pad raise me too much out of it.

The title was intriguing, but it's not the blanket that nearly killed you, it's your lack of winter experience and readiness (including gear selection). I'm glad you were close to home. Had you been 10 k from the trailhead you would have been in serious trouble. Thanks for sharing your experience, but I think you need to reconsider your idea about hosting a workshop. I've been hiking in winter for 30+ years, and I still wouldn't consider myself expert enough to put on a winter clinic. It's one thing to do a free video on KZread, but from a legal perspective, if you charge people for a lesson, you place yourself in a position of liability. Cheers.

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

Hey Marty, thanks so much for your feedback, as you know I always value and appreciate your perspective. That being said, I should clarify that this is a story from my first ever foray into winter camping, and NOT a recent mistake. I will be the first to admit that I was totally naive, unprepared, ignorant, and even reckless. THIS is only one part of a series of unfortunate mistakes I made on that little "trip". My only saving grace was that I chose to "try" winter backpacking a few blocks from home. Up to this point, I hadn't even tried sleeping in the winter in my backyard! Like I said, many foolish mistakes. I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment. That being said, that night taught me one thing: I knew next to nothing about winter camping and needed to learn! The following year (even during summer months) was spent focused on learning about winter camping. I did many more winter backpacking tests, first in my backyard then further from home till finally heading into the backcountry. And I've loved winter backpacking ever since! But I'll also admit, I'm. no expert! There's still so much to learn. The Backcountry Forward Winter Workshop is a very introductory session, designed to help get people taking their FIRST steps towards winter camping. It'll give them the basic knowledge they need to start preparing for winter trips, not getting into serious winter expeditions (and that will be made plainly and abundantly clear)! The goal really is to give people the courage and motivation to get learning, start getting the right gear, and start safely testing and training themselves LONG before they head out into the backcountry. My biggest hope, and the reason I'm doing it, is exactly because of what I shared in this video: I want to help other well-meaning but ill-equipped individuals who are ready to try winter camping to start doing so in a safe and wise manner, rather than making the mistakes I did. I hope my mistakes will help teach others. But more than that, I hope that by making myself available I will be able to offer sound advice, advice that may not get people ready to head up to Eagle Lake, but may encourage and motivate them to try something new, push their limits, and get into the backyard to start testing some gear! And, as always, Keep Moving Forward (even in the winter)! Thanks again for your advice and for being such an inspiration to so many! Happy New Year man!

@TR-Mead

2 жыл бұрын

@@BackcountryForward that's smart.

@andykerr3803

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, we see these types all the time in trouble outside. All details, wasting time and having no common sense. You can't tell them anything. In love with his own voice obviously...

@RokU5

Жыл бұрын

What’s 10k? Asking for a country that made it to the moon without metric system.

@johncrouch8988

Жыл бұрын

Unfortunately everyone is told have one of these blankets but are given no training or information. This is probably true of the majority of people that take them out on their adventure. Generally speaking they are rubbish unless you are using one in perfect, windless conditions. Yeah that sounds likely! They work as a reflector for fire 🔥 heat or in a super shelter but for much else I wouldn’t bother! More dangerous than they are worth

Proper title for this episode : "How I nearly committed suicide by not knowing how to use an emergency blanket properly".

@crampedspacebrew

Ай бұрын

Yep

@sir.benzerlot4571

Ай бұрын

He said legit at the one minute mark that it was because he didn’t know how to use it

Important point - needs an infinite amount of emphasis - temp ratings on bags are ALWAYS survival ratings unless otherwise specified as comfort ratings. This is the lowest temperature at which the sleeping bag's manufacturer believes you will survive the night without additional insulation. NEVER, regardless of whether you are a "cold" or "hot" sleeper take a bag out into anything close to its rated survival temperature. Nightly low temperatures are: 1) predictions ONLY and they can be quite wrong 2) are based on the location and elevation of the nearest weather station, not YOUR location/elevation 3) do not take into account your conditions - are you bone dry when climbing into bed? (probably not) I found myself in Little Yosemite Valley about 30 years ago. My bag was rated for survival at about 2 degrees above what the expected nightly low temp was supposed to be. I was young, stupid, and a "hot" sleeper so I thought I was good to go. I nearly died. The low temp prediction was fairly accurate (within 5 degrees or so), but for the elevation on the main Yosemite valley floor, hundreds of feet below my elevation. I shivered uncontrollably for several hours, and then I stopped shivering, panicked, and got out of my tent did a bunch of jumping jacks and started walking around and didn't stop until dawn. Had I not forced myself to get up and start moving I probably would have died that night. Instead, I spent the rest of the night, from about 1 am until dawn, walking ~1 mile up trail, then back to my tent, then ~1 m down trail, then back to my tent... lather rinse repeat. It was one of the most miserable nights of my life. As soon as I got home, I purchased a true winter sleeping bag and a good base layer, vowing never to be that dumb again.

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

Yes! Absolutely! I had NO clue what sleeping bag temps really meant when I made this mistake a number of years ago! Since then I've learnt a LOT! You are completely spot on, never take it close to it's temp rating (even the comfort ratings are very deceiving (unless you think "comfort" is being an average warm sleeping male, in a base layer curled up in the fetal position all night...) Great points... I'm glad I learnt my lesson close to home, otherwise I imagine my night would have been similar to yours! Keep Moving Forward!

@rudygeorgiamulesandcountry1594

3 жыл бұрын

I probably wasn't In anywhere the real danger that you were, however; it was a exceedingly uncomfortable night. Mine was in opposite conditions in the Painted Desert. It was over 100° during the day, we were in shorts and shirts. Once the sun went down the temperature plummeted to ??° . We had fleece sleeping bags, fleece throws and fleece vests, long sleeve nylon hiking shirts, long hiking pants and fresh wool hiking sox. I even covered with my pack. We had every stitch of clothing in our packs on; even covered with the packs.

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

@@rudygeorgiamulesandcountry1594 I’m not familiar at all with the desert myself. But I’ve heard stories of how cold it can get at night.

@rudygeorgiamulesandcountry1594

3 жыл бұрын

@@BackcountryForward At any rate you found yourself in frigid temperatures with insufficient bag rating, whereas; I was anticipating warmer temperatures with insufficient bag rating. In contrast we stayed @"Desert View", Watch Tower campgrounds on the rim of the Grand Canyon, AZ sleeping under a polycotton sheet and a fleece throw at 28° and my feet weren't even cold. I have N0 explanation other than the possibility of a lower humidity. Again in this situation we over estimated the anticipated temperature with exact opposite effect. In this case the car was only 25 feet away and IF we would have gotten cold we would have had all our gear at our disposal. We had no idea the temperature had dropped as low as it did unless the over night low temperature hadn't been posted at the office. We were comfortable that night. Possibly the air temp dropped, but the sun heated ground remained warm underneath us. I dunno ! We also got stranded at the visitor center on top of "Going to the Sun Rd." In Glacier National Park durring an unexpected blizzard on the 4th of July, .... that was cold !

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

@@rudygeorgiamulesandcountry1594 crazy! Humidity can definitely make a big difference! So can sleeping in a “cold sink” (a lower part of the ground where the cool air runs to). Maybe that was it 🤷‍♂️

Heat sheets or mylar blankets are a very good option for extending the temp rating of your sleep system. First I must say I have done long range multi-week hiking trips and been involved in army survival training but I am not an expert. Some hints to help: When you make up your tent if possible put pine needles or other material under your tent to insulate from the snow. Have a pad or air mattress under bag. Under this pad put the mylar blanket so it is acting as a reflector between your pad and bag. Then if you get cold you can drape the remaining mylar over your bag. Trapping heat under you will make a difference and the insulation of the needle bed you make under your tent will help a lot.

@BackcountryForward

2 жыл бұрын

Great tips! And I appreciate them! I certainly am no expert myself! I actually use a mylar blanket underneath me all the time (all season long)! It's a great tip!

One wool blanket folded in thirds is 3 layers of insulation

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

Definitely would be warmer! Keep Moving Forward!

I was a wilderness survival instructor for the Alaska State Troopers and we tested several types of these "survival blankets." The word "blanket" is a misnomer. It causes people to believe they should wrap the thing around them like a blanket or a shawl. Not good! By themselves, these have ZERO insulative value. You need AIR trapped in between clothing, blankets, sleeping bag, etc, to have insulative value. These work best if you put them on top of your sleeping bag, not in your sleeping bag. As you mentioned, they are great at trapping condensation rising from your body. Anything that makes you wet also makes you colder. We found their best use, although even this is marginal given the flimsy nature of the material, is to use it as an emergency tarp to keep rain off you. If set up as a small lean-to shelter, it can also reflect some heat from a campfire down on to you.

@BackcountryForward

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you SO much for this comment! It's excellent to finally have some authority on the matter speak up! I in no way am an expert on this. Would you mind emailing me at backcountryforward@gmail.com? No pressure, but I'd love to pick your brain and understand the best use-case for these a little more and perhaps do a more informative and authoritative video on the topic. Would love to hear from you! Thanks for the comment!

@TruthSeeker9038

3 ай бұрын

I was thinking putting it on the roof of my tent, between the rain tarp and the tent. Would you advise that? My idea is that it will still allow condensation to vent but also reflect heat back to me

I experimented with the aluminized mylar "space" blankets in German winters 45 and more years ago. Have a good layer of insulation to lay on. That is very important. Use your space blanket on top to radiate heat back towards you. It is best for water and wind resistance, otherwise. If you built a long term bunker for cold weather, I bet it would be good as a water barrier as part of the roof while radiating some of the heat back onto you. I haven't experimented with that.

@billsemenoff

Жыл бұрын

I wonder if the aluminize layer could be secured to the tent inner walls, so as not to have them shift around and out of position during the night.

@granjmy

Жыл бұрын

@@billsemenoff Duck tape, maybe? Or something similar.

This is how you become a Missing 411 case.

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

Definitely! Fortunately I was playing it safe and not far from home! Could have been much worse! Keep Moving Forward!

@RViscara

3 жыл бұрын

Yet this moron is the one giving others advice on backpacking. That’s the scary part

@CanItAlready

3 жыл бұрын

@@RViscara If you're expecting to get advice from someone who never made a mistake you'll be waiting a long, long time.

Thanks for this video. It pays to know your gear. When I was young I made this same mistake at a week long scout camp in the mountains before they closed for the winter. The leaders hadn't prepared us for how cold it could be. That first night was the worst and coldest night I've ever spent outside. I still keep one in my kit, but in my humble opinion, it's better utilized as a last ditch rain barrier in an improvised shelter, water catch or signaling device. The noise the mylar generates from movement alone is enough for me to skip it in favor of a bulkier and more resilient tarp.

Your sleeping pad is always a vapor barrier. Unless you sleep on wool blanket absorbing moisture, or on lot of clothes the same process happens. If you sweat so much that you can see the condensation then you are too warm for that layer. It's a good tool. I slept once at -10°C under this and it kept the freezing wind outside. When the fire went off, it worked like a bivi or tent. I was breathing through a tiny hole and I was able to sleep. All of that without a sleeping bag. I was not soaked in the morning. Maybe a little moist but my clothes would be frozen without this layer and the wind felt like it would kill me in couple of hours.

I'm planning to test my gear in my backyard in one of the coming weekends. I first has to get cold enough so I can really test my 20F bag... But I'll keep away from the emergency blancket! 😁 Thanks for the tip! All the best and stay safe out in winter! 😀

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

Awesome! The best way to test gear is first in your backyard then close to home! and NEVER get yourself into a situation where you expect you may need to use an emergency blanket in the first place (stay as far away from "emergency" as possible! I was stupid! Glad my stupidity can help others though! Keep Moving Forward!

@StepsbyKaatje

3 жыл бұрын

@@BackcountryForward You're so right about that! 😁 You see people giving out those blanckets when they're cold or in shock, it does seem to work then... Have a great day! Kaat

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

@@StepsbyKaatje they definitely do work! And I swear by using one as a groundsheet to reflect heat back up into my tent. The key is using them well, and in the right situation! Which I did not. Using them as a proper vapor barrier in an emergency is a very effective way to trap heat... I should do a follow up video of where and when to use these best in a bit more detail maybe 🤔😄 Keep Moving Forward (and stay warm!)

@StepsbyKaatje

3 жыл бұрын

@@BackcountryForward Sounds like a good idea for a video! Diffrent ways to use your emergency blanckets! 😁

Having grown up in Western Montana, I too learned what worked and what would kill me. First off, wool is your best friend. Should it get wet, let it freeze then whack it several times against a tree or large rock (Pants, socks, shirt or trench) which will break the ice crystals free--leaving you with warm dry clothing. Wet wool will keep you warm enough if it's 100% wool. The second huge lesson I learned is to strip naked once in the sleeping bag. Despite having cheap temp Forest Service 'white bags' to sleep in, I remained toasty warm in one at -35f. If your body is covered in a thermal layer, the heat does escape but cannot cannot make it back to your body very well. Lastly, I fully agree that the more layers in your sleeping pallet, the less the cold ground/ice/snow can't get to you easily. Great video full of solid info!

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! I really appreciate your valuable insight! I'm from Alberta Canada myself, so we're pretty close in similar climates! I both want to ... and also never want to ...try your wool drying method! great insights there! Good do know in an emergency situation! Keep Moving Forward!

@workingguy6666

Жыл бұрын

I heard about that sleeping naked for the sleep system to keep one warm from a forestry buddy who camped a lot. I haven't ever tested it though.

Another trick for extreme cold weather camping is a hot water bottle. This is what mountaineers do in the Himalayas (or California in my case). Just take your CamelBack (which will not freeze in your backpack because your body heat will keep it warm) or big-mouthed Nalgene bottle and fill it with a few liters of boiling water right before you go to bed. Inside of a down sleeping bag this will keep you extra warm for several hours. Just be aware of where the bag or bottle is at. And obviously don't spill any on the bag. But this is a real treat on those bitter cold nights. I've used this trick down to 5 degrees in a 15 degree down bad and I was completely warm. It would work to even colder temps I'm sure.

@sierraecho884

6 ай бұрын

Good one.

Luckily my father taught me how to use the emergency blanket the proper way. He learned it, when he was a member of the Red Cross. Most important thing to know: The silver side is facing to you, the gold side is facing away from you. The silver side reflects the heat back to you, the gold side absorbs the heat from you or any other heat source and transfers it to the silver side due to tiny little holes on the gold side. And yes, there has to be a distance between your body and the blanket

@BackcountryForward

Жыл бұрын

That is some VERY valuable knowledge he passed on to you!

@RSTimoThibault

5 ай бұрын

That's a strongly persisting wrong information. There is almost no difference in heat reflection wether you use the golden or silver side - and high reflection means no heat absorbtion. The difference in color is for different environments regarding the signaling function of this blanket: It reflects not only heat but also light, so it can serve as a mirror. In winter environment, it might be difficult to discriminate a silverish reflection of such a blanket from snow and ice, so you turn the golden layer outside. It reflects (heat and light), but is still a strong visual signal from air and ground.

@TruthSeeker9038

3 ай бұрын

Would you advise throwing it over a tent to keep it warmer?

Great video thanks. One question, in winter tent backpacking, could you use the blanket under or on top of the sleeping pad to stay warmer? Thanks

Great advice, we all only learn from mistakes, or others mistakes, so thanks for sharing yours!

@BackcountryForward

2 жыл бұрын

I really appreciate this comment, you’d be surprised of how many negative ones I’ve gotten ridiculing me for my mistake. The crazy thing is this was literally years ago when I was FIRST learning how to backpack/winter camp. But I’m happy to share my life lessons! Regardless of what the haters say!

This was actually really informative. Honestly, i may have made that same mistake.

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! Glad I was able to help! Keep Moving Forward!

@hossjustice4458

2 жыл бұрын

I would have too. Glad i could learn from his mistake.

Thank you for posting this! That moisture has to have a way to escape and not be part of the problem. I am glad you got out of that one, but what an unpleasant experience!

7:13 but you seem to also be making the mistake of turning gold inside. Those silver/gold blankets are diods! They transmit heat gold to silver! If you wan to keep heat inside, you must turn it silver inside, gold outside! Of course, if you're in a hot desert and want to be cold and protect from the sun, you would do the opposite, that is what you seem to be doing here in the winter, with the gold outside. Mistakes over mistake. What's so hard reading the user manual! It contains basically a single line! "To maintain heat, please turn the silver side towards the person".

@carforumwanker

2 жыл бұрын

Exactly....... the idiot should stay indoors . the GOLD side does NOT face you in the cold .

@nickhetzer2744

2 жыл бұрын

Sry but this is kind of right but also wrong the silver side reflects 99%of ir radiation and the gold side reflects 97% so its realy not relevant which side is used. You cant wrap someone in those blankets to cool them they need to be used as a tarp for cooling

I'm glad you had a safe place close by to retreat to. My question is if you did not have the parents place, what would you of done to survive? I feel it would be giving up sleep to make a fire.

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

You are spot on! The best thing would have been to wake up, get active with some jumping jacks, start a fire, melt some snow and get hydrated (water is key to thermal regulation), and eat some food. Once the sun was up, I would have had to make the hike out on less sleep, but I would have been well fed, well hydrated, warm, and most importantly, alive. But it's easy to SAY all these things. But it's easy to make mistakes and get increasingly disorientated during the onset of hypothermia. All-in-all I'm glad I had a quick and safe retreat! Thanks for the awesome question! Keep Moving Forward!

Sad that you had to discover it hard way, and big thanks for sharing with others! All the best !

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

haha AND it was my birthday! Double downer! But... it was a great lesson. Glad others could learn from it! Keep Moving Forward!

@MrNightrider981

3 жыл бұрын

@@BackcountryForward Ahh crap ... Just keep up the good work, like the video, looking forward for your new videos, thanks for sharing precious info. And most important stay safe ! All the best !

OK so... over the top of your layers. Question..? do you put the silver facing towards you or facing away from you..? does it matter. what direction you put the survival blanket over all your layers.?

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

YES! Great question! Silver side always facing towards you!

How about using it as an extra insulation layer for the sleeping mat? Either under the sleeping mat or between the mat and the sleeping bag. Wouldn't that work by insulating you from the cold ground?

@BackcountryForward

2 жыл бұрын

This is EXACTLY what I do!! You nailed it! Keeps you super warm from below.

@svzgditeam5919

7 ай бұрын

yep, using it as a groundsheet insulation is also my primary use for it, i use it with a tarp above

Very good information. I found myself agreeing with each of your decisions along the way. Good to know they were the wrong ones

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

Haha! I feel you! I thought they made sense at the time too. . . buuuut, lessons learned! There ARE times to put the mylar blanket right next to your skin, this just wasn't one of them! lol. Keep Moving Forward!

Same thing happened to me and a friend when the scout master assistant gave us one of those...it was my sweat that made it hell, right next to my skin. Shivering and all that jazz. Never again.

@BackcountryForward

2 жыл бұрын

Oh man! I’m glad to hear I’m not alone. But as someone whose “been there done that” I’m sorry you had to experience that!

Why not use is between the sleeping pad and the tent floor? what do you think, I believe that should race the R value 1 or 2, what do you think?

@BackcountryForward

2 жыл бұрын

you got it! In fact in my other cold sleeping videos I explain to do exactly that!

I hope this video helps someone from making the same mistake. I don't do a lot of winter camping in the back country because I'm usually with someone who has never winter camped before, for that reason I stay within a mile from the car. I only use space blankets for under my sleeping pad to help keep a thermal barrier between my sleeping set up and the ground. Any time I camp in winter I keep a lighter on my person while sleeping, a small fire set up and extra kindling/wood in case I need to start a fire right away. Fire will be your best friend during winter. Stay safe. I'll be making a cross-country from the East Coast to Denali, Alaska during the month of march using a roof top tent each night. Maybe I'll make a few videos (never tried that yet).

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

That would be an awesome road trip and series to watch! Go for it! And yes, a good *reliable* lighter and fire material prepped and ready is always key! I too, always use the mylar blanket under my sleep system (even in summer). Great suggestions! Keep Moving Forward!

Which side do I use for warmth? I have an orange and silver one. I tried it out at home and felt damp and cold .

When you demostrated how to use it in the right way, you did have it upside down, reflective coating facing out, that way it reflects any heat radiation comig towards you so you can stay cooler. Or what is the correct otientation gold or silver side inside?

Thanks for the info! Can you please elaborate on the down sleeping. bag issue? What would you recopy mend if using a down bag or a down comforter? Thanks!

Metallized BOPET (Mylar is a brand name) also conducts heat very well, so you shouldn't have it touch your body at all. Put one in your hammock in the summer time for excellent cooling. Stay in the shade or watch for sunburns though.

@yellowdog762jb

6 ай бұрын

Good idea! I hunt in central Texas, it's often 90 F and very high humidity during bow season (October). Even in the shade is hot. To date, most hammocks seem to act like mini suanas, except for the cheap and uncomfortable fishnet types.

I’ve used a 20deg f bag synthetic with reactor liner with a compression hard foam pad and been comfortable in -20f in Alaska and Idaho’s river of no return

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

The right body type and a GOOD sleeping bag (emphasis on the good) that's rated to COMFORT can go a long ways. Unfortunately my sleeping bag was rated to survival. I've tested it a lot since and would say I wouldn't take it out below anything 40F. Keep Moving Forward

Dude, I am so glad you re OK, thanks for sharing and caring. I am looking for some kind of blanket that a person could use to protect themselves in a house fire.

The title should be “How I failed to read the instructions that are literally printed on the blanket bag and complain about it for 7 minutes.”

@BackcountryForward

2 жыл бұрын

Great point! I’ll change the title to that right now! Although, somehow I don’t think the instructions would have helped me… considering everyone ive asked about how to use an emergency blanket gives me different instructions (and there’s no instructions on the packaging)… but keep being an expert! We need more people like you.

I put it on the floor of the tent, shiny side up and it helped, plus it's a moisture barrier and protects my matrass from sharp things.

Sounds exactly like what happened to me during a winter scouting camp! Woke up with my sleeping bag frozen- lesson learned that weekend

@BackcountryForward

2 жыл бұрын

Oh wow! those lessons are not fun to learn!

Any way you can actually use one of those mylar sheets to keep the tent warm in winter? Like attach/velcro the mylar to the inside of the tent ceiling...Any heat being made inside the tent would then rise and hopefully be trapped/reflected by the mylar.

@BackcountryForward

2 жыл бұрын

Great thoughts and the answer is mostly yes, except that it would also collect the moisture. In freezing temperatures that isn't too much of a problem, but in warm temperatures that moisture will drip down and could get you or your gear wet. Also its worth noting that the heat reflected is only ver nominal and it's better the closer it is to you. The majority of the heat would actually come from reduced area to heat up with your body, reduced airflow, and increased humidity, less so the reflective material itself. That being said, putting a mylar blanket underneath you IS an effective way to radiate heat back to you and easy too! Keep Moving Forward!

I’ve tried sleeping in my trailer without heat. Could never keep warm under 50 degrees. It is amazing trying to figure this out.

The moisture comes from your breath. We expel one litre of water through our breath as we sleep at night. Putting the emergency blanket outside your blankets/sleeping bag will help. Obviously condensation will still form if you cover your face with the mylar blanket so keep your face free of it. I'm not sure it will completely stop condensation by doing that but I guess all you can do is try.

I’m a little late to this but I’d like to know the sleeping pad you where using by the look of it I’d say a static v?

Thank you so much for uploading this informative video

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

I'm glad you found it helpful and informative! Keep Moving Forward!

Very common mistake. Wet and cold = deadly combination. Good job not dying with all that gear and 2 blocks from your parents. Stay safeish! Cheers.

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

Hahaha! This comment genuinely made me smile! 😄 It was "deadly-ish" but I'll be safer-ish next time! Keep Moving Forward!

Good info, thanks for posting.

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Brian! I appreciate your positivity! Keep Moving Forward!

Would it make a difference which side?

What I was thinking of lining the floor of the tent. Not sure if that would be any different

An important note about radiant insulation (like emergency blankets); it can do two things a) reflect heat and b) stop heat radiating. It will only do this is there is an air gap on one of the sides. In the case of putting it on top of your sleeping bag, it works because there is an air gap above the blanket so it acts as a bad radiator. If it was in a situation like roof insulation (shiny side down), it works by reflecting heat energy back down in winter, but also *not radiating* heat from the roof in summer. Doesn't really matter which side the air gap is on, but it has to be there to work.

That's a serious situation, luckily you were close to your parents house. I've be in the backcountry lows dropped down to 15°F with a 15°F bag... it was little cold but I'm a warm bear. Great video and information. Thank you for sharing, take care.

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah... my one redeeming decision in all of this was that I made sure I was close to home for an easy "out" if I needed it. Its rare to find a bag that you can ACTUALLY take out to the temp its rated to! What bag is that do you mind me asking? Keep Moving Forward!

@redwhiteblue7831

3 жыл бұрын

@@BackcountryForward... Marmot Sawtooth 15°F long

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

@@redwhiteblue7831 good to know!

Hi, I'm planning to go for campaign for the first time, but I have no idea what to pack. Will you make video on what to and how to pack a backpack for camping. PLEASE🙏 And sorry for my Brocken English

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

I love this idea! I'll definitely work on this for the spring my friend! I have a winter video coming out about this... but it won't be the same if you're going summer camping! Keep Moving Forward!

@elixir382

3 жыл бұрын

@@BackcountryForward Thanks bro. You are the best. Good luck for your future ✌️

Glad it was only a trial, very smart of you. Glad you were close to your parents house. The buddy system works well too, you know, not going alone.

Using vapour barrier is such a valuable thing to do to stay warm but it's definitely tricky!!!!! Great story my friend. We can all learn from this!!!

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

I only found out about Vapor barriers after this incident! I've been interested in trying them ever since... but also terrified. lol Have you used one in a sleep system before? I use one in my clothing system now... but that's it. (and not for winter)

@martymorissette

3 жыл бұрын

@@BackcountryForward I'm playing with it more and more as well. I have used a bivy type vapor barrier last winter actually and I did as you did and put it on the outside. The problem with this is, once the heat of your body goes through the insulation of your sleeping bag it then condenses against the vapor barrier making the top of your sleeping bag wet. That being said, it's a lot less dramatic then the inside of your sleeping bag.... The thing for you is that you were sleeping only at -10C and your bag was alreayd kind of rated for it and this space blanket probably bumped you up by... 10C and made you way to warm. So using it over top is the way to go, but for multi day hikes in the winter it also means you have to deal with a little bit of a wet bag the next night.... When I tried it we slept at -40 out, I think it would have been better to have it inside my bag in this case and I would have been just perfect... But this is hard to toy with to be honest and to figure out... I like vapor barrier the best for my feet to be honnest that seems to be where I have found the best value in winter camping for it. Sorry for the Novel... hahaha

@brianmgrim

6 ай бұрын

@@BackcountryForwardI have benefited immensely from engineer/author Hal Weiss’ excellent explanation for the why’s and how’s of the Vapor Barrier. His book ‘secrets of warmth’ has saved me from many cold days and nights and it’s been worth its weight in gold to me. I haven’t found its equal pertaining to the VBL and the physics behind it. What happened to you in this case was that you didn’t completely isolate your insulation from your body’s perspiration vapor and you filled the needed hollow air traps with water vapor instead.

One thing i have noticed is a couple of crumpled survival blankets under my camping may seems to help.

Yea we use to line the inside of the our tent with them. There was so much condensation that you see yhe water droplets running back down. Glad you ok

Great to know, just threw a couple in my car in case of Emergency in upstate NY snowstorm. I would've wrapped myself up like a burrito and been a soggy mess. THANK YOU!

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

Glad I could help!

I had an idea to use one of those emergency blankets on top of my tent to retain the heat, with a fair amount of ventilation. But now I’m like ehhh maybe not.

@BackcountryForward

2 жыл бұрын

It’d definitely capture some moisture depending how much ventilation there is. But I don’t suspect it’d catch more than just a regular fly does. That being said, these are most effective the closer they are to you! Thanks for commenting!

During just frost and poor quality sleeping bags try silk long johns. They are so thin they seem to be worthless but allow a full night of sleep when everyone else is awake all night from the cold.

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

I really need to study silk... I don't understand it. But everyone says they same thing its like magic!

Thanks for that tip! I was wondering: did you not have a fire going?

@BackcountryForward

2 жыл бұрын

I did earlier in the night. But unfortunately where My tent was positioned there was no flat ground for a fire nearby. So I had my fire for dinner and sat around it about 20 yards from my tent and when it was time for bed I put it out and crawled into my tent. At 3am I could have rekindled a fire, but the amount of effort wouldn't have been worth it.

If anyone can answer my question I would be much obliged, I wanted to buy one of these and I’m a sewist, my idea is to see this to a piece of fabric, after the video I’m thinking I need to see a waterproof layer between it and the fabric but I would like to know if anyone has a counter argument for this idea?

Great video all around!

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it Keep Moving Forward!

Hmm, if you know it may get too cold it may be smart to set up a windblock if possible with extra firewood so you can at least keep a fire going until the light

To be honest, I would have probably made the same mistake. Thanks so much for sharing!

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

haha glad I'm not alone! Thanks for watching and commenting! Cheers! Keep Moving Forward!

I'm a bit late to the party here. But I use one of those thicker versions of that blanket on the ground. No issues with moisture and plus it does reflect the heat back.

I always keep a fire bundle built and ready before the start of a super cold night. Always nice and ready to go for the morning and if I start freezing my butt off I can strike it in the dark and get warm asap, put clothes on, warm up, gather more wood, not die. I’ve taken a bag to 12 Fahrenheit under the survival rating, (bag rating 30, night cold got to 18) and it was miserable. And I was in a hammock with no under-quilt. Next morning was heavy rain and no change of fire, 10 miles deep into the Kentucky backwoods. The temperature was 20 under forecast. All of my problems would have been solved if I just set up a fire bundle when I got to the site.

I was stationed outside Ft Wainwright Alaska. The first night in the field it was -25 F. I had an artic sleeping bag rated to -50 and a 1/2 inch foam bed roll. I was cold the whole night and couldn't sleep. I had heard that if you're too cold and can't get warm you should never go to sleep because you'll never wake up. The next morning I went to the mess hall and got so 1/2" cardboard and put it under my bed roll. I was plenty warm the next night and slept like a baby.

Thank you for the information x

Is it me or did Jessie put the facing of the blanket the wrong way for winter (heat retention). say at 7:00 it should be gold outwards and silver inwards. In a summer / desert situation it would be gold inwards and silver outwards. Very good point tho for the vapor barrier. Also useful as a waterproof shelter.

@BackcountryForward

2 жыл бұрын

Great point! This is something a few people have noted. To be 100% honest all my Mylar blankets are silver on both sides. I was given this one as a gift and figured the gold would show up better in pictures and video. But it’s not the one I used in the story. I had no idea that the different sides meant or did different things! But for me and my purposes, I only ever use the silver (on both sides) ones… except for this video… which has caused a lot more controversy than I expected 😂😅

Great video thanks. I like wool as it works approximate 80% even when wet. But is heavy but I do not backpack very far at my age. Having good winter bag rate 20 degree more than you think the coldest it will be with insulated ground pad underneath and then use the wool blanket as backup. Also I have 2 heavy duty emergency blankets 5' x 7' that work as tarps also. Put one on the ground under everything with silver point at you and one on top trap heat but with out tucking in sides so moisture can escape. I heard the cheap foil type are only to be use rapped around someone for short period of time for when some is going to go into shock to bring core temperature up fast while you evacuate them.

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

Exactly. The mylar sheets are good for evacuation. Wool is a great option for sure!

@carlbernsen1290

3 жыл бұрын

Wool only ‘works’ up to 40% saturation, because the fibres kink and trap more air. At 40% water it is 40% less effective than dry. Above 40% water it rapidly loses efficiency.

@escapedcops08

2 жыл бұрын

@@carlbernsen1290 God damn, where TF you learn your math? Astonishingly incorrect logic.

@carlbernsen1290

2 жыл бұрын

@@escapedcops08 It’s not a matter of logic or reasoning. I don’t have to invent the wheel. Wool has been studied like many other materials and it’s insulative properties measured at varying levels of saturation. Like any insulation that relies on trapped air within and between the fibres, wool becomes less insulating as the air is replaced with water. The reason why wet wool is much less chilling than wet cotton is that it dries much more slowly, so heat lost through the phase change of water as it evaporates is much less rapid and a warm body is better able to replace the heat.

They are good for 1. signaling, 2. blocking IR visibility and 3. reflecting heat as part of a supershelter. 4. blocking heat as part of a thermal umbrella. Mors Kochanski warned about those being used as blankets.

"I made the hard + humbling decision to...head 'er home for the night-" TESTIFY. So many outdoorsfolk stubbornly persist when the smartest decision is to quit, & return later. No adventure is worth losing digits or becoming dangerously dehydrated, getting heatstroke or hypothermia, & especially, not worth dying for. As far as cold nights go, I have personally (to my eternal chagrin) learned that if your teeth are constantly chattering, + that chattering/shaking is keeping you awake, then you're in for a really miserable night, but you'll probably come out the other side more or less unscathed but for sore muscles, a lack of sleep, & a crabby temper. Probably. (Though best not to risk it, if a fellow camper to curl up against for warm, or an actual exit option, exists.) _But_ if the shivering is coming in _waves_ , where your entire body seems to convulse painfully into a fetal-curled spasm for perhaps a minute at a time, + then there's a pause of anything from 5 - 10 minutes before it comes again, wracking every muscle so hard that your teeth _can't_ even chatter because your jaw is locked that tight, & despite all that, you're getting sleepier + sleepier... That's when it officially goes from, "Crap, crap, crap, this was a terrible idea, I hate everything, maybe I should leave," to, the Ralph-Wiggum-giggling-"I'm in danger" meme.

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, yes yes! This. It's when you stop shivering that you are REALLY in danger. ps. love the meme reference! 😂 Keep Moving Forward!

@mysterylovescompany2657

3 жыл бұрын

@@johnconstantine2639 as a Hellblazer fan, getting to contribute to you eventually not freezing to death has made my day. ;-)

I just came back from a camping week end, and I wanted to try my bug out bag during, especially for the night. I am very thin, so was my bug out bag (I can't carry a very heavy bag), and my sleeping system was basically an emergency sleeping bag and a sleeping pad. Well, it was a very warm weather (25 ° C/ 77°F at day, and around 13°C/55°F during the night). This, is when I discovered what cold sleeper means, I was not freezing, but very cold. I tought that the emergency sleeping bag will keep me really warm, but I was soon soaking wet. Hopefully I had brought a real sleeping bag (but it was not in my bug out bag, just an "extra" thing), wich was much more efficient. I am glad that I discovered the moisture retention during a 'warm' night, now, a sleeping bag and an efficient sleeping pad have made their place in my bug out bag.

Can you test one more time in your backyard? When you test it, Mylar on top of your waterproof sleeping bag. Just check if it is no problem or not and if you can keep your body heat or not.

Great story! thanks for sharing your experience! - ATB Mike!

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Thanks for the comment!

I'm pretty sure you also put it underneath your sleeping pad. On the tent floor to reflect the heat back up at your sleeping pad - and also reflect the cold down

@carlbernsen1290

3 жыл бұрын

No. You can’t reflect cold, and laying on mylar stops reflectivity and allows body heat to conduct straight through instead. It needs an air gap to work.

you camp outside in the winter without a burner of some kind?

You actually did the right thing to put the emergency blanket between you and the other blanket. It was a mistake to move it outwards later because you let the other blanket get humid. But imo the main mistake was selecting the wrong bag in the first place. I use emergency sleeping bags as bag liners pretty often to extend my sleeping system's usability. The humidity that accumulates inside can't escape. This means the sleeping bag stays 100% dry. VBLs are typically used in multi-day excursions in frigid temps where keeping the bag dry is of paramount importance. But they do work even in milder temps.

Bro you almost turned into a popsicle. Glad to see your OK now I know what to do if I'm in that situation

I did I already tested it in Alaska camping in -38 weather naked. I was doing perfect, until wrapped un the E blanket to see how long I would last while not moving around. Dude I went from running to frozen and I took half inch steps back to camp to build my fire and almost died during my test. The only way to use these blankets to line structures with them. Keep cold air from blowing through and let your heat reflect back. Now that being said if you line a small tent with these, I can keep it 50F inside off my body heat alone during 7F weather.

Never used these kind of survival blankets, but got one in my car......:)) always looked at them as a hype. But they are lightweight and easy too take with you and use in emergency. Thanks for the video.

i honestly always overlook moisture. but...... you're right. i think i'll stick to my Carinthia Defence 4 sleeping bag and a wool blanket. no need to get too fancy with winter survival/camping.

People that sleep out in extreme cold, actually sometimes use VBL's as a second layer over their baselayers to keep moisture from going into their insulation layers above and freezing. This is particularly helpful on longer trips where much ice tends to accumulate in thicker bags. This has been mentioned in Arctic and Antarctica exploration accounts multiple times. Meanwhile, the colder it is, the drier it is, and the more comfortable it becomes to get and stay a bit moist. You will stay warm as long as the insulation above you is still doing its job. For me, it has to be minimum 10*F before I use a VBL and preferably colder, like in the negative F temps. But IR reflectors need some air space between them and the source of heat to actually reflect thermal energy. So if it is plastered onto you because of the above layers, it won't work well for the IR aspect. Adhering foam bumps on it at strategic points can help with that. Btw, chances are that your pad may not have been insulated enough. That is a mistake that a lot of newbies make. People tend to think mostly of the insulation above and not below so much. Cold ground is quite a conductive heat sink, compared to cold air. Another mistake that newbies tend to make, is that if they bring both a foam and air pad (always good to have both), is that they put the foam below the air pad. While that can be good for protection of the air pad, the foam pad on top is better for insulation because foam doesn't allow much, if any, convective heat loss through it whereas an air pad is much more prone to that (especially when placed between two temp extremes i.e. your body and the cold ground, this stirs up convective currents more--think of a cold front mixing with a warm front and how this mixing of different pressures and energy potential tends to facilitate storms, stronger winds, and the like. That is like a macro expression vs the micro).

@PNWBob

6 ай бұрын

I like to use a vbl sack (waterproof nylon) with drawstring top, snugged around armpits, so arms are free. That's inside a down bag. As has been said,, lots of insulation beneath is key to a warm night

I learned this lesson the hard way also, but not in as extreme environment. In the army, training in western Washington where it's raining more often than not, we were often only allowed a poncho liner and a poncho (not erected into a "poncho hooch") to sleep under. A poncho will eventually leak if it's against your body, so we experimented with a "casualty blanket" which is like a heavy duty space blanket; OD green on one side, silver on the other and...waterproof. Like you, we learned that our body's moisture evaporating would collect under the blanket and on our clothes, making us just as wet as if we'd been without it. So, yeah. It requires some degree of ventilation keep the moisture from collecting on you.

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info! That's a tough place to learn this the hard way! Glad you're alright! Keep Moving Forward!

03:00 "Hi mom, can I have some hot chocolate?"

@BackcountryForward

2 жыл бұрын

Haha basically! It was my birthday that night too... so I was meeting them for breakfast that morning. So curled up on the couch and got breakfast paid for a few hours later.... Just a big momma's boy over here LOL!

Back when I was a kid, I got an idea of placing a light bread sack in between a layer of socks to keep my feet warm when out slay riding. Worked good for about 45 minutes and then my feet would get really cold from the sweat being trapped around my feet.

Putting this kind of blanket on your sleeping bag is also a no go. After a while it will soak the sleeping bag with condensed water. Apparently this device is meant for short term emergency, not as a night long thermal layer. You may use it as a reflection surface e.g. span it behind you and making fire in front of your shelter, this works.

Thank you for being honest with this. I see this all the time in the prepping and survival community. People trust their lives on this .95 cent piece of gear. These are terrible and shouldnt be used unless its a last resort

@jimeburg179

2 жыл бұрын

Whatever. Guess people be better to buy the shit costs more and makes you a profit....mylar works great if used right.

@carforumwanker

2 жыл бұрын

@@jimeburg179 Ive used mine in Egypt spread out between 2 mountain bikes (Upside down) to keep us cool in the mid day sun. Did a great job .

@jimeburg179

2 жыл бұрын

@@carforumwanker never been there but been plenty warm in the East coast winter's of the USA

I’ve literally dried out a sleeping bag and myself by draping a space blanket over the TOP loosely so everything can breath. You need insulation between you and the reflective material because it will conduct heat away from you if it touches you. With insulation and an air gap between you and the space blanket it will reflect tons of heat back to you. There re also reflective Tyvek bivvys that can breath. Look up the 2GoSystems trifecta.

A good book to learn winter camping is, Okpik: Cold Weather Camping I picked my up from The Boy Scouts of America its filled with information

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

I'll definitely have to get that book! It's never come across in my research before (or if it did I was oblivious to the title lol) Keep Moving Forward!

Thanks for the info.

I se them underneath my sleep system, to radiate the heat up and cold down. Thermarest then this then bivy bag/sleeping bag

I lived in a tent one winter in ohio. I think -10 was the coldest it got. I had a good winter sleeping bag and a wool blanket. As long as youre inside the bag it will retain your heat keep you warm and stay dry. The hardest part was that i couldnt keep any food or water because it qould freeze solid overnight unless i kept it in the bag with me. One night my milk jug of water spilled inside my sleeping bag. Thought i was going to die. Ended up walking to a hospital and spent the night in the waiting room

Is it best to put the foil under the tent ?

@BackcountryForward

6 ай бұрын

That’s where I put mine. But some say it’s best as close to under you or your pad as possible.

That's so useful, thank you so much!!

@BackcountryForward

Жыл бұрын

Glad you found it helpful!

@julianajanot4280

Жыл бұрын

@@BackcountryForward :) I have a question about winter camping. Does the temperature of the insulating pad matters, or any insulating pad works for very cold temperatures in the mountains? I have one simple insulating pad (that is not inflatable) but all the ones that seem to have a better thermal protection are so expensive to buy!

@BackcountryForward

Жыл бұрын

@@julianajanot4280 hey Juliana, this is a great question. However, I hate to admit that the insulation of your sleeping pad is indeed a very important factor. In fact it’s probably a more important factor than even your sleeping bag! That being said, you don’t necessarily need one of the most expensive sleeping pads to stay warm. There’s a few ways you can “boost” the warmth of your pad. 1) put a Mylar blanket under your sleeping pad, this will radiate some heat back to you. (It’s even better if you can use something like reflectix or one of those windshield sun blockers that have a bit of foam and reflective materiel that you can get from a dollar store. Etc.). 2) a foam pad is a great and fairly light way to really post your sleeping pads warmth. You can get some cheap ones online that zig zag fold into a cube. But even just a thick foam yoga mat will add some extra warmth. This option is just a bit bulkier. I have a couple videos that talk about how to stay warmer here as well: - Cold Sleepers: How to Stay Warm While Backpacking (and Camping)! kzread.info/dash/bejne/eHuVu6mTh9qtnco.html And here - EXTREME Winter Sleep System (-20F And Below): How To Stay Warm AND Save Money! kzread.info/dash/bejne/n2yEt8Z-eryaeJc.html Hope that all helps!

@julianajanot4280

Жыл бұрын

@@BackcountryForward Thank you so much Jesse, that is so helpful! I will watch your videos, thank you!

lol when u said 3 I knew it lol. I had done same, i used in my truck in April, testing how it feels/ work with no sleeping bag, warm clothes and R value 7 sleeping pad. I was in my truck, even placed above my clothes then I sweated out ,and cold me up before dawn. I would died or nearly if I didn’t have my sleeping bag. it was nasty to sleep in it with sweat body, but I did survived . It was an interesting test and experience, luckily I did it so have more understanding with the material, and won’t make same mistakes in real survival situation

@BackcountryForward

2 жыл бұрын

Glad I'm not alone in my wet and clammy experience! haha Glad you survived! Keep Moving Forward!

I made this newbie mistake when I went to Colorado. It was summer and I camped in RMNP with no issues, so when I camped at Molas lake campground, I never thought it would be freezing cold. I was using 20F quilt, so I thought I would be good. Woke up 12mn shivering, so I took out my emergency blanket and that made it worse. But good thing I was just car camping.

@BackcountryForward

Жыл бұрын

Glad I'm not alone! But glad you were safe too!

Thank you for sharing but you should carry some kind of small heater to use in the tent be more careful my friend and have fun camping

@BackcountryForward

3 жыл бұрын

Great tip, this was my very first winter camping attempt from a few years ago. Sometimes I'll bring a little lantern now which adds some more heat. Keep Moving Forward!

@bradi5050

3 жыл бұрын

@@BackcountryForward deff that's good idea to!

Good tip. Thanks

Thank you for posting I am trying to See if this really works

@BackcountryForward

Жыл бұрын

Best way to use it is UNDER your sleep system!

I recently had a winter emergency, I was so thankful for my space blanket. BTW a jetboil with a large cannister will keep six people warm under an emergency shelter for 11 hours in -4 degrees.

@BackcountryForward

Жыл бұрын

Great point here! Never thought of using a stove like that under a mylar blanket!

Thank you

very informative i did not know this thanks