Cold Weather tips

cloudnine · Post by **cloudnine** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 8:43 am

Hi, this will be my first year at burning man! I'm going with my also newbie boyfriend (thk127 on eplaya) and we're building a hexayurt. Looking forward to meeting you all and having a great time.

My concern right now is the night weather... I can do extreme heat. However I'm really skinny and I get super cold. So what are your past BM experiences with the cold? Any tips? I don't exactly want to look like an eskimo but I'll bundle up if I have to. What did you do- long underwear, gloves, scarfs, etc? Or am I over exaggerating the coldness? Part of me thinks with the constant biking and movement it won't be that cold at all. But I want to be prepared. Thanks!

Token · Post by **Token** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 8:52 am

For walking about, layers.

Good thermals are priceless out there and are easy to carry in the backpack. I like UnderArmour.

For sleeping the key is to remove yourself from the playa. A cot is a great idea.

If you use an air mattress, it can get cold under the covers. All that air to heat up plus the playa is cooling it constantly underneath.

A feather bed type bed mat is a good investment. Or just bring an extra comforter to sleep on.

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 8:55 am

Tequila usually works as a good foundational layer to build from to fight off the night chill.

But yeah, you are over estimating the night temps for a "normal" year, but that does not mean it will not plunge into the 30's this year or it could stay a balmy 78 degrees all night. Or it could be in the 30's the first part of the week and warm at night in the last half of the week.

The one thing, there is not really much of a gradual temp change. When showering, take your shower, be dried and dressed BEFORE the sun dips behind the mountains. Temperature starts to nose dive as soon as the sun goes poof. Dropping 15, 20 degrees in an hour is a real thing and after being in the heat all day, it will feel cooler than it really is.

So, yes, bring some long johns as a just in case, because you might just need them, bring a hat, some gloves and some layering stuff and the like. Pack it all in its own ziplock that you have smooshed all the air out of and it will not take up much room.

thk127 · Post by **thk127** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:08 am

I'm glad you finally introduced yourself

I still think you should just go as an Eskimo for laughs! With all those coats on I can roll you around and I'm sure i could get people to play some type of 4 square with you.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:23 am

You got a real cutie there.

cloudnine · Post by **cloudnine** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:26 am

Thanks for the tips. I definitely wouldn't have known about the showering. Thats what we need thk, to go long underwear shopping!

...is that freezing lady?

cloudnine · Post by **cloudnine** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:30 am

http://www.underarmour.com/shop/outlet

That link above has discount prices on UnderArmour, just thought I'd share if anyone else was going to buy some.

Homiesinheaven · Post by **Homiesinheaven** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:48 am

a great way to keep warm is a beenie or wool hat. if it can cover your ears, even better. a lot of heat escapes through the top of your head so keeping it insulated will really help. using many layers also traps your body heat and works better than a huge goofy coat.

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 9:59 am

Layer, layer, layer.

I know if my feet are warm, the rest of me will be warm. If my toes start getting cold, it's time to go home. Good socks, maybe heated insoles if you're really worried.

Then leggings under whatever I'm wearing on the bottom...arm warmers, fingerless gloves, scarf...and a great hat.

I put a large polar fleece blanket inbetween me and the sheets and the air mattress. The air inside the mattress gets cold at night, and will make you cold.

phil · Post by **phil** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:02 am

> a great way to keep warm is a beenie or wool hat.

Obligatory link back:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/civex/4796890968/
Louise knitted me this for those cold nights on the playa.

EmilyD · Post by **EmilyD** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:03 am

Welcome cloudnine,

I'm also a birgin but have done a bit of chilly camping. I have two different kinds of long johns, one is silk (yummmy) the other is poly. They're thin and warm and you can even wear multiple layers of them. They can be washed and dry out quickly in desert air. This website seems to have really good prices for them:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/

Fire_Moose · Post by **Fire_Moose** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:04 am

What a cock

cloudnine · Post by **cloudnine** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:36 am

Nice cock!

Sierratrading has even better prices, also heated shoe insoles = genius. Thanks so much! You are all so helpful.

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 10:54 am

I'll be testing out these

http://playabound.wordpress.com/2010/05 ... toasty-me/

I usually have cushiony insoles, for comfort reasons (cheap, stylin' boots ain't always so comfortable for walking miles and miles) but it helps keep the foot insulated from the cold ground, too.

lightblue22 · Post by **lightblue22** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:09 am

i'll be bringing my red wolf spirit hood:

http://spirithoods.com/shop/

got it for free at a video game convention but its just about the BEST THING EVER. wore it to a rave in LA and it was perfect - so soft and very warm. comes with built in mittens and pockets to store stuff. ingenious!! all the rage as well at the clubs here in LA. :)

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:14 am

Wow. $130 for that.

Buy a hat you like. Buy a scarf you like. Get one with pockets, even. Sew them together.

Or send me $130 and I'll make you 2 or 3 of them...

Fire_Moose · Post by **Fire_Moose** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:15 am

Oh man, those are neat, they need a moose one.

gaminwench · Post by **gaminwench** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:18 am

I find that velvety opera gloves, winter stripy stockings, earwarmers of some sort and my playa coat (modded from a bathrobe) is enough to keep me warm most nights.... I also have a huge faux fur coat for the early morning chillies...It's actually surprising how warm fishnets can be...layers!

EmilyD · Post by **EmilyD** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:19 am

C.f.M. wrote:Wow. $130 for that. :shock:

Buy a hat you like. Buy a scarf you like. Get one with pockets, even. Sew them together.

Or send me $130 and I'll make you 2 or 3 of them...

NO SHIT, those are way overpriced. Just get an old stuffie, slice it down the middle, pull out it's stuffing/guts and attach each leg to a scarf. Better yet, hire C.f.M. to do it for you!!!

Chessna · Post by **Chessna** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:26 am

lightblue22 wrote:i'll be bringing my red wolf spirit hood:

http://spirithoods.com/shop/

got it for free at a video game convention but its just about the BEST THING EVER. wore it to a rave in LA and it was perfect - so soft and very warm. comes with built in mittens and pockets to store stuff. ingenious!! all the rage as well at the clubs here in LA.

Oh man, I'm totally stealing this idea and making one! Will probably cost $15 at most. Pretty sweet that you got one for free. I love the little paws!

And yes, fishnets are surprisingly warm! It's almost like wearing sweatpants...and they feel great.

cloudnine · Post by **cloudnine** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:51 am

Oh my god. I'm usually not into animals ears but those are sweet

[quote="lightblue22"]i'll be bringing my red wolf spirit hood:

http://spirithoods.com/shop/

got it for free at a video game convention but its just about the BEST THING EVER. wore it to a rave in LA and it was perfect - so soft and very warm. comes with built in mittens and pockets to store stuff. ingenious!! all the rage as well at the clubs here in LA. :)[/quote]

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 11:54 am

Go to the thrift store. Buy a stuffed animal. Cut off it's head. Remove stuffing. Attach scarf. Or use it's front legs, if they're suitable. Done.

SOME awesome person around here DID get me to make them a hat to wear this year....I hope you all get to see it.

dragonpilot · Post by **dragonpilot** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 12:20 pm

thk127 wrote:I'm glad you finally introduced yourself

I still think you should just go as an Eskimo for laughs! With all those coats on I can roll you around and I'm sure i could get people to play some type of 4 square with you.

Hawt! Now this is someone I could chew some fat with!!

Bounce530 · Post by **Bounce530** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 12:28 pm

Chessna wrote:And yes, fishnets are surprisingly warm! It's almost like wearing sweatpants...and they feel great.

Yes they are. Many cold october nights spent standing outside theaters in line for Rocky Horror, with not much else on, 'cept fishnets...

C.f.M. · Post by **C.f.M.** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 12:33 pm

Bounce530 wrote:
Chessna wrote:And yes, fishnets are surprisingly warm! It's almost like wearing sweatpants...and they feel great.
Yes they are. Many cold october nights spent standing outside theaters in line for Rocky Horror, with not much else on, 'cept fishnets...

Now that's "hawt."

The camp I want to camp with but I'm scaredy-cat because they're right on E will show RHPS Friday night.

Bounce530 · Post by **Bounce530** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 12:49 pm

Yep, I mc'ed that camps RHPS in '08. Was back-up to play Eddie last year, but wasn't needed. And will FOR SURE be there again at this years show.

Post by **Savannah** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 1:05 pm

Yes they are. Many cold october nights spent standing outside theaters in line for Rocky Horror, with not much else on, 'cept fishnets...

I know of what you speak.

peachandpapa · Post by **peachandpapa** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 1:06 pm

Just keep dancing until you find someone to snuggle with. Gets rid of the chill everytime...

thk127 · Post by **thk127** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 1:17 pm

In studying the Eskimo dress throughout the centuries it has come to my attention that now the "Eskimo" dress is comprised of nothing more than a pink fluffy hat and some type of swim wear. So in wearing a Spirit Hood, this would still qualify you for an Eskimo themed costume.

cloudnine · Post by **cloudnine** » Thu Jul 15, 2010 2:10 pm

So I guess eskimo's ARE sexy. Problem solved. I'm ready to bundle and cuddle the chills away in a speedo and a spirit hat.