cld-weath-cmp-msg - 1/5/15

Suggestions for cold weather camping at SCA events.

NOTE: See also the files: camp-ovens-msg, firepits-msg, camp-kitchens-msg, lamps-msg, lighting-msg, p-privies-msg, beds-msg, lamps-msg, fur-msg.

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This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org

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Thank you,
    Mark S. Harris                  AKA:  THLord Stefan li Rous
                                          Stefan at florilegium.org
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Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000 10:27:53 -0600
From: Joan Nicholson <gryphon at carlsbadnm.com>
Subject: Re: SC -Sleeping WARM!

I've been camping for a lot of years and have found the most indispensable 
covers for cold weather are fake furs.  Get a couple of good sized pieces 
and layer one beneath your bottom sheets/covers and one over.  Make certain 
that the furry side is toward your body.  This traps and holds warmed air 
next to you and you stay incredibly comfortable.  Granted fur is not for 
everyone's persona, but if you make a really sumptuous Renaissance 
coverlet, who's to know that it's fur-lined?  8^)

Prydwen


From: jjordan_12 at my-deja.com
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Cold Weather Camping
Date: Fri, 22 Sep 2000 19:05:55 GMT

A lot of nice suggestions on your page [the Florilegium] (and the rest of the site continues to be an extremely useful reference and good reading).  One
suggestion I didn't see is one that worked well for me during my
military time.  A chamberpot.  For men, at least, it was possible to
urinate without leaving the warmth of the bed.  In the morning the
contents (and a rinse) went into the latrine (and *not* into a
dumpster).  I leave it as a practical exercise for the female student
to come up with a good way to do this. :>

Jester of Anglesey


From: maeryk at rcn.com
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Cold Weather Camping
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2000 01:50:21 GMT

On Fri, 22 Sep 2000 19:05:55 GMT, jjordan_12 at my-deja.com wrote:
>A lot of nice suggestions on your page (and the rest of the site
>continues to be an extremely useful reference and good reading).  One
>suggestion I didn't see is one that worked well for me during my
>military time.  A chamberpot.  For men, at least, it was possible to
>urinate without leaving the warmth of the bed.  In the morning the
>contents (and a rinse) went into the latrine (and *not* into a
>dumpster).  I leave it as a practical exercise for the female student
>to come up with a good way to do this. :>

>Jester of Anglesey

Surprisingly enough, Harley riders *have* done this. You can find an
interesting device, shaped something like a funnel and something like
an athletic cup that is for that very purpose. While the term "old
lady" used in the advertising usually makes me cringe, it *does* seem
a bit of a nifty invention.

Maeryk


From: owly at hem.utfors.se
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Cold Weather Camping
Date: Sat, 23 Sep 2000 17:07:03 GMT
Organization: Utfors AB

That reminds me I saw a fine but slightly surprising example of Swedish
design at the apothacaries the other day. It's a small chamberpot that
a woman can use standing up. Not only that there are these pads you
put in it that sucks up the liquid and turns it into a kind of gel so
that it supposed to make it easier to throw away. It was like a big,
low oval mug with a lid, all in blue frosted plastic. 

Anna de Byxe in Sweden ;-)


From: Lissa McCollum <lissamc at primenet.com>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Cold Weather Camping
Date: Tue, 26 Sep 2000 12:36:38 -0700
Organization: Forest Moon Creations

Samuel Walters wrote:
> I was reading Mother Earth News magazine the other day and saw an ad for the
> "Whizzie"  It said "Ladies, stand up and whizz like a man. Cleanly, easily,
> privately. Use a Whizzie!"
> 
> After I could sit up straight again I thought about it and it's not a bad
> idea.  Apparently they are cheap too.
> 
> Rhys Goch
> MKA Sam Walters
> www.brightok.net/~agincrt

Try the device available on http://www.restrooms.org/standing.html .
I know someone who gives it good reviews.

Gwen


From: erilarloFRY at SPAMwin.bright.net (erilar)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Cold Weather Camping
Organization: Medieval Academy, SCA
Date: Tue, 26 Sep 2000 17:20:39 -0500

Lissa McCollum <lissamc at primenet.com> wrote: 
> Try the device available on http://www.restrooms.org/standing.html .
> I know someone who gives it good reviews.

My mother bought a funny-shaped plastic thingy so she didn't need to leave
the tent in the middle of the night when we camped. It needed something to
sit in, though. A 5-quart ice cream pail is an easier target and you can
put a lid on it until you can empty it.

                  Mary Loomer Oliver (aka erilar)


From: myrindyl at aol.com (Michelle Picou)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Date: 27 Sep 2000 04:24:45 GMT
Subject: Re: Cold Weather Camping

At the Wal-Mart in my area (southeast Texas), and at local hunting/outdoor
stores, you can purchase a "port-a-potty" that is basically a 5-gallon bucket
with a toilet seat attached. You just line the bucket with a garbage bag and
go!  I know several ladies who say they have gotten good results by putting a
few cups of kitty litter in the bottom of the garbage bag - evidently this
helps both with any odors and with disguising the sound of a lady 'watering the
flowers' in her pavilion at night!

Lady Birgitta
Kingdom of Ansteorra
Barony Bordermarch


From: <hrjones at socrates.Berkeley.EDU>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Cold Weather Camping
Date: 27 Sep 2000 17:51:57 GMT
Organization: University of California at Berkeley

erilar <erilarloFRY at spamwin.bright.net> wrote:
: My mother bought a funny-shaped plastic thingy so she didn't need to leave
: the tent in the middle of the night when we camped. It needed something to
: sit in, though.

Doesn't sound like the kind I'm familiar with, which is a device aimed at
backpackers and campers who may be in circumstances where "dropping 'em
and squatting" is undesirable.

: A 5-quart ice cream pail is an easier target and you can
: put a lid on it until you can empty it.

I have heard tell, from those who have tried it, that a Mason jar
(complete with sealing lid) is of an extremely convenient size and volume
for those times when you've gotta go and you don't want to go
outside.  (The aesthetics of an authentic reproduction medieval chamber
pot are ... um ... attractive, but on the other hand, I'm not sure it's
the sort of thing I'd want to leave lying around visible in camp just to
show I'm using an authentic one!)

Tangwystyl
*********************************************************
Heather Rose Jones         hrjones at socrates.berkeley.edu
**********************************************************


Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 09:05:46 +0200 (MET DST)
From: Par Leijonhufvud <parlei at algonet.se>
Subject: Re: SC - Way OT:  Need advice to prevent freezing

On Wed, 4 Oct 2000, Isha ArrowHawk wrote:
> The majority of the event is going to be outdoors.  I will be helping with
> Harper duties, and I have no cloak to keep my old bones warm.  I'll toss on
> old long johns under my garb, but I will still be cold.  *shivers*

Another hint. Warm a rock or few until they reach the "hot potato" stage
(i.e. you can hold them, but not for more than a second or so). Wrap in
some fabric and keep close to your body. According to reports ladies
like to hold them tucked up under the bust[1].

If juggling hot stones sounds dangerous[2] you can go past a backpacking
supply store and purchase a few handwarmers and use them instead. On
winter trips when the cold gets severe I like to keep one in each front
pocket on my pants. 

/UlfR

[1] Since there are a Swedish mans name "Sten" and stone in Swedish is
"sten" this can give rise to more or less obvious jokes, ranging from
him being the ladies favourite.

[2] It isn't, we aren't talking red hot or anything like that. I have
slept many nights with a few down by my feet, a couple behind my back
and one or two in front of my chest. No burns, and sound sleep.
- -- 
Par Leijonhufvud                                      parlei at algonet.se
Allt som inte dˆdar h‰rdar 


Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 10:28:54 -0400
From: "Bethany Public Library" <betpulib at ptdprolog.net>
Subject: Re: SC - Way OT:  Need advice to prevent freezing

Here's some of my favorite ways to keep warm, esp. at night at events (some
of which are even "historical").

A) Soapstone slab (or try a pizza stone  (which frequently gets tossed when
it's broken.  Recycle it!) or a couple of bricks). It gets warmed next to
the fire, then wrapped in flannel. Put it in your pockets or toss it into
your bed. If you're there cooking, you could always warm your sheets or
blankets with a few hot coals in a covered pot, waved between the cover
before you retire. Be sure to put them outside the tent and back into the
fire pit and tend to the fire if no one else is, before going to sleep,
though.

B) Hot water bottle. Either get a real one, or if you're afraid that you'll
instantly look like a crone to the check-out girl, make one out of a 2 liter
(or smaller) bottle. Fill with warm tap water, cap tightly, toss into your
bed or  hold next to your body. A more historical version would to use a
tightly-sealing crockery or stone bottle, but my theory is that the water is
heavy enough.......  I do this all the time for my kids at events, throwing
a used 16 oz. bottle, filled with hot water from the restroom sink, into
their sleeping bags before they bed down for the night. The heat makes them
sleepy.

C) My mother, who grew up in poor cockney London, used to take freshly
hard-boiled eggs in her pockets to school. They hold their heat for a long
time, and have the added benefit of being edible for lunch, by which time
they've cooled. The same theory was used by my PA Deutsch dad, in the wild
country of Litutz, PA, who used baked potatoes instead....

D) You can buy a really expensive "au natural" hot pad which is made of
corn, beans, rice, or other legumes, but it's easy to make your own. Just
make a small sack and fill with your choice of the above items. The heating
trick: empty them into a pot and place over the fire until very warm, or
microwave for a minute or two to heat (i've been known to use a zip-lock
baggie though you'll have to really watch it). Then pour the beans or rice
or whatever back into the sack, tie it shut, and tuck it into your bodice. I
did this for a breast-cancer patient at one event, since I lived close
nearby, and he began to feel much better. It will last longer if wrapped in
a kitchen or hand towell. The legumes are useless for food purposes after
this, much like beans or rice used as pie weights.

E)If the cloak-without-sewing is your first choice, however, simply take a
large  rectangle of thick cloth (or use an army blanket) and wear it as a
Roman-style cloak or Irish/Celtic Brat. It's historical, it's warm, and it
requires no work at all.

Myself, I'll probably do all of the above this coming weekend. I don't weant
to miss the chance to see who'll be on the throne for Pennsic XXX. And it's
gonna be cold and wet here on the northern East coast of the US.

Aoife


Subject: Re: Cold Weather Camping
From: John Groseclose <caradoc at neta.com>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Date: Mon, 09 Oct 2000 16:07:21 GMT

Michelle Picou <myrindyl at aol.comLatch> wrote:
> At the Wal-Mart in my area (southeast Texas), and at local hunting/outdoor
> stores, you can purchase a "port-a-potty" that is basically a 5-gallon bucket
> with a toilet seat attached. You just line the bucket with a garbage bag and
> go!  I know several ladies who say they have gotten good results by putting a
> few cups of kitty litter in the bottom of the garbage bag - evidently this
> helps both with any odors and with disguising the sound of a lady 'watering
> the flowers' in her pavilion at night!

Speaking from personal experience - if you're planning on using
something like a port-a-potty inside your tent, there are a few things
to remember:

1) Make sure you have some kind of light to indicate where it is -
stumbling over it is *not* how you want to find it in the middle of the
night.

2) Make sure it's either weighted or braced against tipping over if you
*do* stumble over it.

3) Avoid asparagus with any meals at the event. Don't ask - just avoid
it.


Date: Sun, 28 Jan 2001 20:23:31 -0500
From: "micaylah" <dy018 at freenet.carleton.ca>
Subject: Re: SC - Surviving Estrella War

> Using an air mattress is a poor choice in cold weather.

Not necessarily. Living up here "in the frozen North" one learns how to
get around this. I sleep on a queen sized air bed BUT there is much
between me and the cold lumpy ground. I put an artic sleeping bag over
the air bed and a foamy (one of those bumpy bed things), and then I put
a fitted flannel sheet over all. I also have several blankets on top,
one of which is another artic sleeping bag which I have enveloped in
some kickass upholstry fabric to at least look nice. I made this to
"hide" the sleeping bag and yes I velcro this shut, but that helps when
removing to go mundane camping or to have it dry cleaned. Since it is of
heavy brocade type fabric it also helps keep me warm.

Period? Definately not! Comfortable? Without a doubt! Warm?
Yesssssssssssss!

Micaylah
~who also has a Catalytic Heater that keeps her warm all night when the
temperature dips close to 0!!~


Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2001 10:09:10 +0000
From: hawkstwr at omen.net.au
Subject: Re: SC - Surviving Estrella War

I have not had to endure what I would consider very cold camping in 
the SCA, however if you can get hold of full size sheepskins I can 
recommend no better thing to put between you and whatever mattress 
you are using for insulating purposes.
I have used sheepskin over a 4" foam mattress with marvelous results, 
and can see no reason why it would not work as well over an airbed. 
I have found that the size used for car seat covers is good for a 
single under blanket.

On the humorous side a friend of mine once had a sheepskin sleeping 
bag made and found that they were unable to sleep with it closed up 
as it was too good at retaining heat, temp range was 5 - 10 degrees C.
   
D'Gaunt...


Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2001 14:33:25 -0800 (PST)
From: Huette von Ahrens <ahrenshav at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: SC - Surviving Estrella War

- --- "Mark S. Harris" <stefan at texas.net> wrote:
> Using an air mattress is a poor choice in cold weather. Thermally you'd
> be better off sleeping on the ground. Of course your back may complain
> about that, too. I've slept on concrete floors myself, but that was
> 25+ years ago. As you move around on the air mattress you move the
> air in the mattress, shifting cool air to you and the air you warmed
> off to the edges where it can be cooled down again.

The first time I went to Estrella, I brought an air
mattress and nearly froze, even with a sleeping bag,
all my garb on and my cloak on top of everything.

The next year, I brought a portable futon platform,
which breaks down to two 1"x6" boards about 6 feet
long with feet and pegs to hold the slats and 12 1"x3"
slats about 4 feet long.  It looks vaguely Viking when
set up and is easy to transport.  It kept me at least
6" off the ground.  I brought a thick futon and two
down filled quilts and was toasty warm all night, even
though the temperatures were just as cold as the year
before.  I also wore a stocking cap on my head because
your head accounts for a lot of your overall warmth
and usually isn't protected under blankets.

Huette


To: gleannabhann at yahoogroups.com
Re: Weather for Gulf Wars
Posted by: "Jon Whittom" jonwhittom at gmail.com cornphed
Date: Fri Feb 19, 2010 6:26 am ((PST))

<<< I mentioned wool blankets rather than sleeping bags because wool is what
I'm *going* to buy. The question was how many. I utterly detest sleeping
bags, because you can't enter them while keeping your nightgown around your
legs. It always gets shoved up by your armpits, thus making it entirely
useless as well as uncomfortable.
-=-=-=-=
D'vorah bint al-Attarn >>>

I usually unzip the bag, climb in then zip it back up but I also don't have
a nightgown to contend with.

Sorry I have no idea re: wool blankets.

-John


To: gleannabhann at yahoogroups.com
Re: Weather for Gulf Wars
Posted by: "David Backlin" edrei at smythkepe.org quiet2284
Date: Fri Feb 19, 2010 6:32 am ((PST))

<<< I mentioned wool blankets rather than sleeping bags because wool is what 
I'm *going* to buy. The question was how many. I utterly detest sleeping 
bags, because you can't enter them while keeping your nightgown around 
your legs. It always gets shoved up by your armpits, thus making it 
entirely useless as well as uncomfortable. >>>

I usually do a combination of wool blankets & polar fleece.

I also bungee-ball them to the foot of my bed so they don't fall off if I 
toss & turn ;)


To: gleannabhann at yahoogroups.com
Re: Weather for Gulf Wars
Posted by: "mazelle attiya" attiyam at bellsouth.net attiyam at bellsouth.net
Date: Fri Feb 19, 2010 6:35 am ((PST))

Polar fleece works very well. Right now Hancocks is selling it for $2.99 a yard (60' wide). Depending on where you are buying your blankets, it might be cheaper to buy the fabric.
I lined a wool coat with the fleece and it keeps me very warm in the cold. :-)

Alysia


To: gleannabhann at yahoogroups.com
Re: Weather for Gulf Wars
Posted by: "mazelle attiya" attiyam at bellsouth.net attiyam at bellsouth.net
Date: Fri Feb 19, 2010 7:09 am ((PST))

<<< I don't know that my machine could handle sewing blanket-weight fabric, but I might consider it, since I do need the blankets to be queen-sized. Thanks for the tip!

D'vorah bint al-Attar >>>

That's the neat thing about polar fleece. You don't need a heavy duty sewing machine. You don't need to finish the edges either. It doesn't fray at all. It's lightweight but very warm. For those of you that don't know what it is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_fleece

Alysia


To: gleannabhann at yahoogroups.com
Re: Weather for Gulf Wars
Posted by: "Genevieve Mc Donald" meridianwench1215 at yahoo.com meridianwench1215
Date: Fri Feb 19, 2010 7:20 am ((PST))

Right now or closer to GW, goosedown comforters are going on sale.  Buy one or 2.  Also get a foam egg crate and put in on top of the air mattress.  The foam helps stop the cold air transfer thru the air mattress to yourself.  go to a hunting store and buy a thermal wrap.  Shiny material looks like aluminum but strong.  put this under your air mattress.

Ask anyone here how whimpy I am about the cold and you will see I wimp out alot.  but I don't suffer from the sleeping cold anymore.

Geni


To: gleannabhann at yahoogroups.com
Re: Weather for Gulf Wars
Posted by: "Leonard Hollar" lhollar at comcast.net ibriham2000
Date: Fri Feb 19, 2010 7:54 am ((PST))

IIRC that there is a "Rule of Thumb" of a ratio of three to one.  That is,
three under you for each one over you.  That's for bare ground.
If you are using an air mattress put at least one under it and one on top of
it, but under your sheets. Take something to pin the blankest around the
mattress, or sew a couple into a bag the mattress can fit in.  That will
keep both the blankets and _you_ from slipping around during the night.  

Ebrahim/Leonard


To: gleannabhann at yahoogroups.com
Re: Weather for Gulf Wars
Posted by: "Zhara" zhara8 at yahoo.com zhara8
Date: Fri Feb 19, 2010 8:03 am ((PST))

Allow me to throw in a few more words:

1. be wary of camp heaters, there is an air-quality issue that is more than  just a little bit serious.

2. the hot-packs that are cheap and easy to obtain at any WalMart (and online through Amazon) are sold as "hand warmers" in the sporting goods section - but I assure you that they work quite well between the covers too.  Did I mention that they are VERY cheap?

3. Let me second (or third or fourth?) the notion of combining layers of polar fleece with wool.

4. Down is not nearly as washable as polar fleece, and my husband and I have found the issue of feathers working their way through even the highest thread count duvet to be an unacceptable annoyance.  Roving Silk-filled comforters on the other hand.....

5. Finally, I must recommend a frumpy, unglamorous, but tried and true method for maintaining warmth when sleeping:  a cap.   There are numerous period patterns that could be as simple as slapping two peices of fabric together (might I suggest a medium or even heavy weight linen, for a variety of reasons).  

Remember that as much as 70% of your body heat goes right out the top of your head.  A Cap on your head and thick socks on your feet will get you through the night quite well. 
(cue now Baron Soni for his favorite NightCap recipe)

Cheers,
Z.


To: gleannabhann at yahoogroups.com
Re: Weather for Gulf Wars
Posted by: "Barbara Easley" barbara.easley at fedex.com 
Date: Fri Feb 19, 2010 11:36 am ((PST))

Forget nightgowns. Sleep in sweats. Makes getting up to go to the Portacastle in the dark, in the rain with the wind blowing, at 30 degrees, much easier.

<BEG>

And yep, it'll happen.

Ilissa


To: gleannabhann at yahoogroups.com
Re: Weather for Gulf Wars
Posted by: "Catherine Koehler" hccartck at yahoo.com hccartck
Date: Fri Feb 19, 2010 11:48 am ((PST))

I sleep in sweats but my top is a hooded sweatshirt.  That way you can pull the hood over your head and your neck is covered too.  I have slept on the ground in 20 below weather and heavy snow but I am always toasty with extra blankets and my hoodie!


To: gleannabhann at yahoogroups.com
Re: Weather for Gulf Wars
Posted by: "D'vorah bint al-Attar" dvorah at consensualreality.net dvorah.batadar
Date: Fri Feb 19, 2010 8:22 am ((PST))

On 19 Feb 2010, at 10:03 AM, Zhara wrote:
<<< 5. Finally, I must recommend a frumpy, unglamorous, but tried and true method for maintaining warmth when sleeping:  a cap.   There are numerous period patterns that could be as simple as slapping two peices of fabric together (might I suggest a medium or even heavy weight linen, for a variety of reasons).  

Remember that as much as 70% of your body heat goes right out the top of your head.  A Cap on your head and thick socks on your feet will get you through the night quite well. 
(cue now Baron Soni for his favorite NightCap recipe)

Cheers,
Z. >>>

I normally wear one of these: 
http://modestworld.com/proddetail.asp?prod=SN0004&cat=42 (cap)
http://modestworld.com/proddetail.asp?prod=SN0022&cat=42 (full snood)

They're warm, comfortable, and fairly inexpensive. Best of all, I don't have to sew and then find that the cap doesn't fit.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-
D'vorah bint al-Attar
Master Albrecht Waldfurster's Egg
Middle Kingdom, Midlands, Ayreton, Tree-Girt-Sea (Chicago, IL)


To: gleannabhann at yahoogroups.com
Re: Weather for Gulf Wars
Posted by: "melinda" mlaf at sbcglobal.net maybard
Date: Fri Feb 19, 2010 8:35 pm ((PST))

One of My favorite cold weather sleeping arrangement goes something like
this...

carpet, air matress, sheet, sheepskin rug, wool side up, me, fleece, "raw"
silk fabric, wool, wool, Sheet blanket tucked in underneath my matress, and
holding it all in place, cloak.  I sleep with socks, and if I don't have a
hat, I pull my cloak hood up over my head.  My blankets aren't blankets at
all, just lengths of fabric.  Both the wool & the silk I got on sale at
about $2/yd. The nice think about both wool and silk is they hold the heat
even when it is wet....
If I have a sleeping bag, then sometimes I sleep on or in that, and the rug
will go on top of me....

Melandra


To: gleannabhann at yahoogroups.com
Re: Weather for Gulf Wars
Posted by: "Stefan li Rous" stefanlirous at austin.rr.com stefanlirous
Date: Sat Feb 20, 2010 7:59 pm ((PST))

Stefan MacMorrow commented:
<<< Now, Korean faux mink blankets are much better. >>>

Where can you find these? How expensive do they run?

I've liked the idea of using sheepskin with the fleece on it for a  
number of years, but each sheepskin seems to be in the $40 or more  
range. And for a double bed we would need several.

One of the best ways to keep warm while sleeping in the cold is to  
share your bed with another. Sleeping bags were briefly mentioned  
here. If you buy two identical sleeping bags you can often unzip each  
of them completely and then zip them together as one big bag.  
Unfortunately, for me, my wife gets up each morning at Gulf Wars at  
4am to go do a volunteer circuit for the privy patrol, so my bed isn't  
as warm after that as it could be. For those new to Gulf Wars, another  
reason she gets up so early is that there is always hot water in the  
showers at that time.

We use a platform bed with a layer of indoor-outdoor carpet put down  
next to protect the air mattress from splinters, then the sleeping bag  
on top of this. I like the idea of the polar fleece and will be  
looking into adding some of this, although I think the sheepskin would  
be superior.

Stefan
--------
THLord Stefan li Rous    Barony of Bryn Gwlad    Kingdom of Ansteorra
   Mark S. Harris           Austin, Texas          StefanliRous at austin.rr.com


To: gleannabhann at yahoogroups.com
Re: Weather for Gulf Wars
Posted by: "Sonny Scott" 1soni at sbcglobal.net onesoni
Date: Sat Feb 20, 2010 8:08 pm ((PST))

Stefan MacMorrow commented:
<<< Now, Korean faux mink blankets are much better. >>>

Where can you find these? How expensive do they run?
--------
It looks like a queen size blanket can be had for about 33.00 on ebay


To: gleannabhann at yahoogroups.com
Power shopping for cold weather.... sidebar from: [Gleann Abhann] Re
Posted by: "Stefan MacMorrow" stefanmac at earthlink.net scjerkins
Date: Sun Feb 21, 2010 10:44 am ((PST))

Stefan MacMorrow commented:
<<< Now, Korean faux mink blankets are much better. >>>

The cheapest place I've seen is from the local vendors in Chin Hei. but that
is a bit out of the way.

I've purchased some from eBay and depending on design and thickness can run
from $25 to $85.  $25 for a single thickness with a pattern that no one
wants (who actually wanted Universal Soldier on their bed?) and $85 for a
king size reversible two color elaborate floral pattern.  

Until you have felt one, you don't realize the loft and warmth of one of
these.  And, the loft only marginally reduces with repeated machine
washings.

I was very glad to find some on eBay when I finally wore out the ones I had
picked up on a port call many many moons ago.

Oh, yes, you can get them under the "Solaron" trademark for several hundred
dollars at high end department stores.  

Btw. the material is that makes this type of blanket is made of 30% recycled
polyethelene bottles. . in case you have a touch of a "green fetish".

Another idea for a middlin' budget if you want to have a spiffy bedchamber
is the faux mink duvet cover sold at www.sportsmansguide.com . (they usually
do deep discount for a spring clearance)  This is actually designed to be a
cover for a duvet (read as in down comforter for those that don't grok
eurospeek)  The thing looks like a fur blanket and has a zipper on one edge
to install the duvet.  It is warm in itself but with the zipper you can
install a duvet or several blankets inside.

From experience.. don't install a 3 inch thick down filled duvet and think
you are going to sleep in it.  Do a solo sweat lodge, yes, but sleep. not a
chance.  Even if it is -10 degrees, it is too bloody warm.

Chemical hand warmers can help too.  Especially if your feet get cold when
the rest is warm.  Harbor Freight Tools often has them by the box at a
reasonable price.  Hmmm, good sutler item for a merchant booth I would
think.

Stefan MacMorrow


To: SCA Newcomers list <scanewcomers at yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: For Maryelizabeth-Blanket Recommendations
Posted by: "Justinos Tekton called Justin" justin at 4th.com courtney4thcom
Date: Tue Sep 7, 2010 11:12 am ((PDT))

sebhdann wrote:
<<< Scadian friends taught me if you're using an air mattress on the ground, place a blanket between mattress and sleeping bag for insulation from the cold air trapped inside the air mattress. >>>

As a Chirurgeon, I once treated a patient for hypothermia, serious
enough I had to send her offsite for medical care, because she slept
under several blankets but with only an air mattress between her bedroll
and the ground. The temperature was about 45 Farenheit that night.

People think of the obvious thing of putting blankets on top, but the
head covering and the under-bed insulation are really more important in
many situations.

Justin
-- 
Maistor Justinos Tekton called Justin (Scott Courtney)


To: SCA Newcomers list <scanewcomers at yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: For Maryelizabeth-Blanket Recommendations
Posted by: "Caoilinn Trotter" caoilinntrotter at yahoo.com caoilinntrotter
Date: Tue Sep 7, 2010 5:44 pm ((PDT))

I usually put an old sleeping bag, unzipped and left open on top of the air 
mattress and a sleeping bag that I crawl into, I've been to a few of our Lovely 
freeze your nose off campouts, lol


From: "Ceridwen" <keridwen at cox.net>
Date: December 30, 2010 9:08:41 PM CST
To: <the-triskele-tavern at googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: {TheTriskeleTavern} Re: Advice for First Timers to Gulf Wars?

Some other things to consider for your first war are:

There is no such thing as washing your hands too many times a day . Carry and use hand sanitizer often. Plagues are certainly period but not the way to spend your war!

Stay well fed and hydrated. The worst I've ever been dehydrated was a very cold GW. I don't usually drink hot drinks and wasn't keeping up with my usual liquids because I was already cold. I missed a whole day of classes getting myself back to normal.

Those little "hothands" packs sold at Wallyworld in sporting goods are a godsend!

Ceridwen


From: Vicky Eisenstadt <alysounj at gmail.com>
Date: December 31, 2010 7:18:02 AM CST
To: the-triskele-tavern at googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: {TheTriskeleTavern} Re: The Triskele Tavern Advice for First Timers to Gulf Wars?

The silk longjohns from Dharma Trading match Norse, 13thc Europe and 14thc Europe silhouettes just beautifully and don't get you OVER warm during the day.

ALysoun
==========
On Thu, Dec 30, 2010 at 4:10 AM, THLord Stefan li Rous ‪<StefanliRous at austin.rr.com>‬ wrote:
On Dec 28, 2010, at 8:24 PM, christopher chastain wrote:
<<< x4 on socks, waterproofing and there is absolutely nothing wrong with wearing long johns under your garb either.  >>>

Well, not esthetically at least.  There are advantages of doing it the period way with multiple outer layers.  And that is you can easily shed the outer layers as the day gets warmer. Getting rid of layers of long underwear and such in public is a bit more difficult, at least if you are away from your camp.  

The larger handicapped accessible privies can make this easer, but the regular ones are rather difficult to change out of heavy clothing in. 

Again, if you make frequent trips back to camp, its not so bad. I have a tendency to go to the class area, either to be in a class or to teach in the morning and can stay there for multiple hours as the day gets warmer and warmer.

Stefan


From: "Ceridwen" <keridwen at cox.net>
Date: December 31, 2010 6:32:23 PM CST
To: <the-triskele-tavern at googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: {TheTriskeleTavern} Re: Advice for First Timers to Gulf Wars?

Hot Hands are the little chemical reaction based handwarmers - filled with iron filings and salt - the reaction is actually rusting the iron which gives off a surprising amount of heat - very cheap, very portable and very useful.

I also have two of the charcoal stick warmers but have very little luck getting them to stay lit. They are awesome when they work, but are frustrating for me.

Ceridwen 


From: "Sara Glaze" <sorcha at cfl.rr.com>
Date: January 1, 2011 10:18:34 AM CST
To: <the-triskele-tavern at googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: {TheTriskeleTavern} Re: Advice for First Timers to Gulf Wars?

The one year we couldn't find them we went to the pharmacy section and got the therma care patches....putting the big one around your middle was heaven. The bonus is they stay warm (not hot) for up to 12 hours. I put one on when I ventured out from under my 3 blankets and took it off at bedtime.
 
Sorcha
----- Original Message -----
From: Vicky Eisenstadt

Please learn from my pain and buy your Hot Hands, as well as gloves if you don't already own a pair, NOW.....Last GW was exceedingly cold and neither the Wal-mart south of the site, nor the Wal-Mart north of the site, nor any stop BETWEEN Orlando and Lumberton had either Hot Hands or gloves for sale in March.

Alysoun


From: Chiere <cheri at blackroot.org>
Date: December 31, 2010 4:21:34 PM CST
To: The Triskele Tavern <the-triskele-tavern at googlegroups.com>
Subject: {TheTriskeleTavern} Re: Advice for First Timers to Gulf Wars?

Above all, have a decent tent!! We have a 16' SoulPad and I LOVE
EEETTT!!!!! It has a rubber bottom with a 4" lip (like a big flat
bowl,) to keep water and critters out, my friend in a chair can still
roll in, my 6'2 hubby can stand up in it, it will hold a queen sized
air mattress, tack and feed for three horses, a hanging garb closet,
all our totes and so on, and it's period for certain personas, (12th
C. Mongolian, 14th C. Austrian, Ottoman,...) And it's stinkin' easy to
set up and take down. It also fits easily into the trunk of our little
Skylark. We call it the Tardis,...

A 'litter box!!!' This is the best thing EVAR! Get one of those cheap
plastic hassock type potties from Wal-mart and throw away the
chemicals. Add kitchen trash liners and Feline Pine to the kit.
(Feline Pine smells HEAVENLY and preforms well!) When you set up the
potty, put in a liner, pour in a few cups of Feline Pine; put in
another liner, add several cups of Feline Pine; do this 3 or 4 times.
Each day, pull out one liner and you are set up to go (haa haa) for
the next day. No-one can tell you have a lil potty in your tent! It
really comes in handy to keep from picking up the plague from the
porta potties and there will be at least 4 nights when it is raining
or cold and you will need the facilities and you don't want to get
dressed, slog through the mud, and wait in line, only to find out the
person before had left something unpleasant behind. (I loath and
detest porta potties; have since I got attacked by wasps in one at a
horse show when I was about 6,...) With this set up, you can save the
heavy duty business (tee hee!) for a flushy potty and make the litter
box last longer. Just be courteous and toss the litter bag into a
larger garbage bag before setting the garbage out.

Don't pack a lot of blankets. Pack an inflatable mattress, (ours is
the kind that is as tall as a regular bed; very nice!) a feather
mattress topper, a mattress pad, (to hold the topper in place,) a
sheet set, a feather comforter, a thermal blanket and a pretty
blanket. Keep it lite, fluffy and squishable. We have been warm in 20*
weather! You can find a 2" mattress topper and a king/queen sized
comforter for around $50 each at any number of places. We got ours at
Bed, Bath and Beyond. We put a flannel duvet over our comforter. Keeps
it clean and it's also warm. The feather things pack down into
incredibly small areas if you squish them good, and they spring right
back to fluffy immediately!

Giant fluffy bath rugs; keeps the tootsies happy and are easy to pack
into small holes. We put down a tarp to protect the rubber then line
everything with bath rugs. Obviously, the larger you can afford, the
less you need, but at the very least get three; one for the door and
one for each side of the bed. Makes camping life down right homey. I
actually shop at thrift stores and buy used ones. Bath rugs have the
added benefit of being washable.

A cheap lamp and several packs of batteries. I have this, it's cheap
and long lasting.  http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=4343-703&categoryid=1045&brand=

A portable closet. Take everything packed in totes, then hang it all
up and use the totes for night tables and to store all the bags things
go back into for the return trip home, (like the mattress topper bag,
the air pump, extra socks, extra towels,...) Here are excellent cheap
options that take up no space. http://portableclosetguide.com/ Some
are cheap enough that if you want to buy them there and toss them
after, you can. The Wal-Mart is 30 minutes away and they love us,...
We didn't used to do this, but after several events spent rooting
through totes trying to find something wrinkled to wear, we learned.
It really is nice to have everything hanging up. We put one tote in
the bottom to toss dirty laundry into.

Bottled Frappuchinos. Coffee at hand before even rolling out of bed is
awesome!!! (Well, it's a must have for me!)

As for food or money,... My first War we brought so much food! We
planned for each meal and packed for it, and dragged it there, too. We
couldn't give it all away!! Pack enough for your trip in a smallish
cooler, and then buy what you need at a grocery store. Buy things that
keep, like cheese and sammich makins and lots and lots of liquids.
There is so much food there no one should go hungry! For your first
event, pick up a meal plan with the on-site restaurant, (it's not 5
star by any means, kinda a burger and chips sort of thing,) or join a
meal plan. There are also any number of parties and socials and vigils
and such where you can graze.  I do recommend at least $20 a day so
you can grab lunch when out running; there's so much to do that
sometimes you forget or can't get back to your tent, and Merchant's
Row has some nice food vendors. Also remember that you won't die of
scurvy in 7 days so don't worry about the food pyramid unless you have
really restrictive dietary needs. As I do the equestrian thing,
breakfast is usually a boiled egg, well salted, and a hunk of cheese
clutched in a grubby paw. And  Frappuchino, =-D Easily stored and
retrieved from the cooler.

A keg of Guinness. That is VERY important! I have a place for it right
next to our tent and I would be glad to watch it for you. Because I am
nice like that! You can pick that up after arrival, too. Because we
can't get it to fit in the Skylark, no matter how much we drink first,
or how we turn it around or upside down.

Dry clothes for the trip home. We pack a little suitcase and leave it
in the car until everything is broken down and loaded for the return
trip home.

Sunscreen, bug spray and lotion. Then we leave them in the car, too.
Not because we meant to,....

As for shopping money, you could spend THOUSANDS! So set your budget
and make it impossible to spend more! I make a money-less run through
Merchant's Row and check out what I want. Then wait. Around Thursday
I'll go back. If it's still there, I buy it, if not, it's one less
thing to shove in the car and I get a business card,...

So, that's going to Kings Arrow Ranch in a mid-sized sedan. Totally
doable! All that crap fits into our old Skylark! Except the keg,....

Chiere


From: Eveleen Woderose <eveleenwoderose at gmail.com>
Date: December 30, 2010 12:45:29 PM CST
To: the-triskele-tavern at googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: {TheTriskeleTavern} Preparations for Gulf Wars

Hey Isabelle and Everyone,

In the mysts of time - 12-13-14th centuries those who could used
feather ticked mattresses and comforters due to the warmth factor.  So
this is how I make my nest when I tent.  I use a double decker air
mattress due to the fact that it packs down and fits in the back of my
small car.  After blowing up the mattress I make sure that there is a
carpet under the mattress to insulate the bottom of the airbed.  Then
I have two wool blankets from the Army/Navy store that I put onto the
mattress and cover that with a mattress pad then a flannel fitted
sheet and top sheet and finish it with my feather comforter.

Second thing that those who lived back in those days did before
climbing into bed was to put some hot coals in a bed pan and rub it
over the sheets, they also would wrap a warmed brick and put it at
their feet.  So, singed sheets are not my thing and since I don't
always have a fire handy I found that a couple of boxes of those
thermal back wraps are a wonderful substitute.  Crack one of those
suckers let it warm up then rub it over your sheets then stick it at
your feet and leave it for the night.  Oh, I tried the generic version
once when I was in a hurry getting to an event and they don't put out
much heat, I was very disappointed (and cold).  This is one of those
cases I recommend getting the name brand.

~Eveleen


From: Elizabeth Bair <countessdulcia at gmail.com>
Date: February 1, 2011 10:23:06 AM CST
To: the-triskele-tavern at googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: {TheTriskeleTavern} Farmers Almanac weather for Gulf War's.

Back in the midrealm we used to camp in it fairly often.  It's better
if there's an accumulation of snow, actually.  First you use a shovel
to clear the ground in the place where your tent will go.  Put a tarp
down first, then set up the tent and layer a couple blankets on the
floor of the tent.  Then you pile up snow around the tent from the
outside - works really well with a domed style tent.  The more of the
tent you can cover, the more insulation you have - like an igloo.
Make sure that you reinforce the opening around the door so snow can't
cover it - both so you can get out and so you have fresh air....   add
a couple bodies and a small lit candle in a safe container or two
(make sure you have a vent for fresh air!) and you're actually warmer
than you are in a tent in temps in the 30's-50's with no snow.

The folks who had been around a long time all had pavilions with wood
stoves in them.  They were also quite warm and comfy.

Dulcia

2011/2/1 Kimberly Calvin <hextildamarshall at gmail.com>:
<<< I have always said, If I wake up at war to snow I am going home.  I can not imagine camping in it.  I think I would have to rediscover puppy piles in my tent.

Hexy >>>

<the end>
Edited by Mark S. Harris	cld-weath-cmpg-msg	18 of 18