I need to knowLike when you wrap food when it's warm in Aluminum FoilTin Foil, Plastic Wrap and Paper Towels, why does this happen and what makes the heat store much better? Please explain, and also show some sources of places where I can find a lotI need a lot of information, please help.
You poor Americans! You'll be fineIt''s not that cold! Tips for Americans camping: - choose a high quality mummy bag rated much colder than the air temperature you plan to sleep in - pee before you go to bedRemoving the extra fluid means that your body doesn't need to work to keep it warm too- eat some carbs, hot liquids (but not too much), or a good meal before going to bed - fill a Nalgene bottle with hot water and make sure the lid is on tight (and won't leak)Place it your sleeping bag (upright) 15 minutes before getting in to pre-heat your bagWrap a towel or t-shirt around it, place it between your legs and it will keep you warm for hours- wear a toque if you have one (or know what it is) - long underwear can be worn if it's really cold out Anyway, these are things that we use as Canadians when we're winter camping in temperatures of -25 Celcius (-13 Farenheit)Backpacker magazine has lots of good tips for camping
That's not cold at allIt'll be fineI usually avoid going camping unless it's below 50 at nightI have slept under the stars when the temps were in the mid 40's and windy use sleeping bags, bring an extra blanket, and don't worry about itYou'll be in the backyard, right? So, if you get cold, just go inside ?
No, your back yard isn't Valley Forge eitherGeorge Washington soldiered through worse without indoor plumbing or pizza deliveryA big yard fire is an excellent way to hear fire truck sirens roll to a stop in front of house after passer-by uses cellular to report possible arson in progressSuggest everyone tenting cuddle while in separate sleeping bags or use purchased camp warming devicesDrag in the family pet to add more body heat to your tentDo not use candles or hot lanterns in tents or you might want to see fire truck soonPersonally, I would not want tent or the flatulence there-inI'd rather fight Redcoats with George Washington.
You sound pretty young, so.temperatures in the 50's are easy, no special gear requiredIt's like sleeping in your bed at home with all the windows openA medium weight jacket and sweat pants for hanging outSome bug spray for the mosquitosAll you need for sleeping is a ground cloth (a tarp) and some padding between you and the groundIf you've some sleeping bags, greatIf not, some cozy blankets will be plenty Camp fires.where we live, a really bad idea as it's fire season (Northern California)If you've a good fire pit or some way of containing a fire and can control it, probably just fineFor contrast, to learn something new.snow camping: I'll vouch for David L.'s mention of Klondike Derby's and that gear list on his linkTop notch for the basics and just fine for most situationsOur Troop participates in a Klondike Derby up in the Sierras every yearLast year at about 10 Degrees max in the early morning, with a Zero Degree bag, and good pads it was quite pleasant sleeping on the snowThe hard part's facing the morning before the coffee's hot, hitting the restroom, and changingLast year's had about 9 feet of snow and we build some massive snow shelters to useWe had to dig down to the toiletsKlondikes by the way are a blastOrienteering, sledding, rope bridge building, camping, and outdoors skills contests between Scout Troops out in the snow for a couple daysOurs are held up at Emigrant Gap in the Sierras (Google it up, or look for some good pioneer history.try the Donner Party, it wasn't that many miles away)Even my kids, ages 9 and 13 have done snow camping with short hikesIn a pinch, I've used tents, extra foam pads and heavy blankets/comforters for far colder conditions than you'll needHave a ball! Don't forget the smores!
Metals are generally good conductors of heatWhen you wrap hot food in a metallic wrap (tin, aluminum), it feels hot to your hand, which means that the heat from the food is coming out fastPaper towels are a good heat insulator, and plastic is a fairly good insulator, so heat moves through them relatively slowly, which means the food stays hot longer.
