CAMPING

HOW TO PREPARE A GROUND BED

To sleep beneath the open sky in good weather, you will want to know how to make a warm ground bed. First, find a fairly level spot. Toss aside stones and sticks that might poke you, but don't rake away pine needles or leaves. They will cushion your bed and reduce your impact on the land. Spread out your ground cloth, lay the sleeping pad on top of it, then arrange your sleeping bag or blankets on the pad. For a pillow, stuff extra clothing inside a sweater or sleeping bag sack. It's a good idea to leave your hag rolled up until you are ready to sleep so that your bedding won't be dampened by humidity or dew.
Making a ground bed in a tent is not much different from making one in the open. You won't need a ground cloth inside the tent-there should already be one spread under the floor.
When you crawl into bed, keep your shoes or hiking boots close. Stow your watch, glasses, and other small items in one of them. Drop your flashlight into the other so you can find it in the dark. Have a water bottle nearby, too, in case you get thirsty before dawn. In the morning, shake out your boots before you put them on; small creatures sometimes creep inside in search of shelter and warmth.
You might discover that you are warmer in a tent because it blocks the wind. Wearing a warm cap to bed also helps prevent heat loss. Changing into dry clothes before crawling into your sleeping bag will help you stay warm, too. You can pull on a warm shirt during the night, and a sweater, extra socks, and even mittens. Finally, don't go to bed hungry. Your body can produce plenty of heat, but only if it has calories to burn.