19
votes
Should one remove their boots in an emergency bivvy situation?
I only see an advantage if your boots are wet:
Then I would advise to remove the wet shoes and socks. Maybe you are in the lucky position to have some dry spare socks in your backpack. If not you may ...
- 12.2k
12
votes
Accepted
Should one remove their boots in an emergency bivvy situation?
As an anecdote, I did. I unexpectedly bivied overnight during a snowstorm at 14kft in -15F, 50mph winds with a pack, bivy sack and warm clothes. I had dry feet prior, didn't have an issue getting the ...
- 236
9
votes
What is the most severe temperature that a proper snow cave can protect you from?
TLDR: -148 °F including windchill has been survived inside of a snowcave.
I went looking for cases of people surviving extremely low temperatures while inside a snow caves, and it looks like the ...
- 69.4k
7
votes
Accepted
Are Oxygen shortages possible in closed bivouacs?
If you put a plastic back over your head, you are going to suffocate. A good bivvy bag should be designed such that suffocation is not an issue. However, breathing into a bivvy bag is a terrible idea ...
- 1,972
6
votes
How best to arrange a rope that you intend to sleep on top of
My recommendation would be to coil it into a carpet, it's be the easiest and most comfortable, but it wouldn't stay together very well. You could put your tarp over top if you have a rope tarp, that ...
- 53.7k
6
votes
Pros and cons of Tent vs bivvy bag
Here's some advice about sleeping in a bivvy bag.
Do not close the bag when you sleep. Leave it open and use the mosquito net, then the air you breathe can get out.
When it is really cold leave it ...
- 77
6
votes
How to avoid slugs on the face in a bivvy bag
Unfortunately they like the damp (as we typically have in the UK at this time of year) and will find warmth. So there will be lots about and may seek you out. You either need to repel them from your ...
- 27k
4
votes
Accepted
Bivouac on glacier: how to be sure not to stand on a crevasse?
Probing is the best and only guaranteed technique for safely locating crevasses. Knowing how crevasses form will help you identify areas where crevasses are more likely to be, but you can't be certain ...
- 53.7k
4
votes
Can I sleep overnight in a lean-to in Germany?
At least along some of the popular long-distance trails like the Rennsteig it is explicitly allowed and common practice to use these as overnight shelters. Not sure if there are any strict rules ...
- 201
3
votes
Should one remove their boots in an emergency bivvy situation?
Down slippers weigh very little and store very small. Always pack them and use them along side high altitude down overmitts. Dont find out the hard way.I used them on the Cairngorms overnight minus 22 ...
- 31
2
votes
Best way to use “space” blanket to boost heat when bivy camping
Space blankets are good insulators. They prevent your body heat from escaping due to radiation and convection. They however do not prevent conduction based heat loss.
Given this, the best place to ...
- 7,825
1
vote
How to avoid slugs on the face in a bivvy bag
You could sprinkle a ring of crushed diatomaceous earth around your bag. I have heard that slugs and snails can't cross over it, it is like cut glass to their soft bodies. It is a very lightweight ...
- 654
1
vote
Are Oxygen shortages possible in closed bivouacs?
Suffocation can occur in any enclosed space where there isn't sufficient air flow with the outside. You should always be aware of this hazard in any sealed enclosure including huts/shelters where you ...
- 11.3k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible