Inside and ready for bed

Cozy eh? The less volume of air within the trench, the quicker the air warms to a balmy 32 degrees. The sleeping bag is rolled out only minutes before you crawl in to minimize the chances of snow dropping on it and wetting it thus decreasing the efficiency of the bag. Additionally, down bags were NOT used because if a down bag should become damp or worse yet wet, the down matts and reduces the warming capacity of the bag considerably.

 

Along the walls of the trench as seen in the second picture are candles that actually provide both light and "warmth" for the trench. The warmth from the candle (properly vented of course) warms the walls so that they form a "iced slick" when the candle is put out. Notice the ensolite pad that my friend is lying on...very important! Reading before bed ....all the luxuries of home.....tea would have been nice but....getting up in the middle of the night (big no no).

I know you all are wondering.......................how comfortable is this really. Actually, for ONE night, it is quite satisfactory....the temperature within the trench is MUCH warmer than a tent would have been and even warmer than most Fall camping in a tent.