Chapter 5 · Shelter
Insulating yourself from the ground
Your body loses heat much faster through contact with cold or wet ground (conduction) than through the air. A thermal blanket on top is no use if you are lying on damp dirt.
| Material | Advantages | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Foam or inflatable sleeping pad | The best; lightweight | Carry it in your car kit (see chapter 2). |
| Thin leafy branches, pine needles, dry grass | Plentiful | Pile on a lot: they flatten when you lie on them. At least 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) compressed. |
| Dry leaves in trash bags | They make a "mattress" that does not scatter | The bags also insulate from moisture. |
| Cardboard, newspaper, empty backpack | Useful in the city or in a car | Several layers of cardboard insulate well. |
| Raised bed (logs or platform) | Separates you from wet or floodable ground | Cover with leaves or grass on top. |
