November Mappy Hour in D.C. took place the night after a very dramatic election so we weren’t surprised to see a small group. We were able to sit around in one group circle and chat directly with our speaker for the night, Jordan Billingsley, about winter camping tips. Plus it was our very first Mappy Hour at Boundary Stone Public House so we were able to check out their delicious drafts and laid back vibe.
Plus, we learned some tips from North Face Field Rep Jordan Billingsley on how to stay warm:
- If you take a break, put on a layer so you don’t cool off too much. Your body will have to work harder to warm up again.
- Warm up socks and boot insoles by keeping them in the sleeping bag next to you.
- Using a bag liner adds extra warmth, minimizes wear and helps keep your bag cleaner. The extra layer can add 8° to 15°F of warmth.
- Use a closed-cell foam pad next to the ground and a self-inflating pad on top to get the best insulation from the cold ground. The foam pad also serves as insurance in case the self-inflating pad gets punctured.
As winter sets in, we recommend everyone keep educating yourself on ways to stay warm and if you haven’t read it already, here’s a great piece on the realities of hypothermia.