Why am I Obsesed with a Bivy Sack

“JohnnyWalker uses the Integral Designs Expedition bivy and I admit that I covet it in spite of the ten commandments.

I us a No-Tech Canadian Army w'proof bivy (I guess they bought him a tent).

It's only useable in the winter (essentially a wrap around tarp-cum-tunnel) because it is not breathable. I avoid condensation by using a VBL and it seems to work. I get some condensation round the opening from my breath.

BTW I wear fleece not down in it.

The good thing about a bivy in the winter is that you get breakfast - and dinner - in bed. You don't have to get up and get dressed and stand round in the cold to cook and eat. I just stick out my shoulders and fire up the stove.

Doug”

“I have the Black Diamond Winter Bivy and use if alot in summer and winter. My 0* Marmot Lithium fits in just fine i don't notice any compression of the down.”

“I have bibler hoop bivvy. It's the color of the incredible hulk, and it doesn't give much head clearance, but I love it just the same. It has served me well.”

“Lt - does the zipper location on the BD Bivy make it hard to get into/out of? I've never tried a bivy with the envelope-style zipper.

Gremlin - I'm guessing the VBL makes your sleeping clothes wet with condensation. How do you dry them for the next night?”

“It is not too bad, you sort of sit on the hood and slide yourself into it. I guess it is the lighter and more waterproof way to go than a full zip down the side.”

“What temps are you guys playing with?”

“I have used a bivy at -10* and in the 50-60's”

“T-Mac, The secret is to use it only when it's really cold otherwise both the VBL and my non-breatheable bivy are useless.

XL, We're (I'm) talking about 0°F more or less.

I wear fleece, not down and it dries immediately - providing I don't let myself get sweaty. I have a -30°F Slumberjack and have never closed the hood round my head - but I wear a fleece balaclava.

I salivate at the thought of a G-Tex bivy, but I'm only a poor, rural school teacher, sigh.”

“HOLY CANOLIS...Grem I did that crapola when I was in college....Winter Warfare School GOD I hated it. Froze my hands and feet sitting in a sniper position.

Where are you planning on freezing yourself?”

“I don't do a lot of 'sniper position', XL, (but that could change, given the politics in my woods).

Seriously, the convenience of not standing round to put up a tent or cooking food is worth it. I just throw out the sack, slip in the Thermarest and sleeping bag, strip to/put on fleece and get in bed.

Then I reach into my pack, pull out my headlamp, stove with stand (and plastic bread board), freeze dried food, pot, water and reading material and I'm in heaven - especially if I brought a spot of cheeky red.

Search for the 'FYAO IV' thread started by me and click on the photos of Lumberzac and me who managed to survive in spite of awful hardship (and check out the empty Nalgene by my head).

We managed to pull off a smile despite horrible suffering.

Doug

I think the toughest time was when JohnnyWalker (he of the ID Exped bivy - sigh) and I spent Old Year's Night/New Year's morning 1999-2 000 on Mt. Marcy. Our wine had frozen and it took about 45 minutes for it to turn to slush in my alu wine flask in my sleeping bag with me.

He'd stick out his arm and I'd shake some into his hand. We literally licked a couple of litres and shot the shyte that way.

Needless to say we didn't even try to open the Champagne.

A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.”

“Yeah I remember the good old days, frozen gear, getting to the barracks and standing in FULL Gear (the old metal stuff) under a cold shower becuase even the WARM burned. You were trying to melt the ice off your gear so you could get it off.

I try to keep it above 15 or 20F now....granted after you pass 10 it really doesn't matter you just freeze faster.”