Old bones and cold nights

[pmrid (Peter)]

I recently decided to take my caravan to a dark sky site I wanted to try - a small truffle farm with a small number of caravan sites in the hills about 12 km west of Ballandean on the southern Granite Belt. My wife chickened out so I went alone having booked for 5 nights.

I was the only one there. And it gave me great horizons - particularly northern - just what I wanted. It took me 5 hours to get there so by the time I had the van set up and a mount set up, it was nearly dark and the night air temp was falling rapidly. By about 9 p.m., it was down to 3 or 4 and by midnight it was sub-zero.

I was not prepared well enough. I layered up with 4 layers all up but still not enough.

Next night was a repeat of the first only a bit colder.

I gave in, packed up headed home on day 3. I’m just not up to this - at 75, I admit my cold-tolerancevhas almost disappeared.

The site did not offer any 240 volt power so air con was out of the question too.

Age is not for wimps - but I think I have to admit to being just that.!

[xelasnave]

Heck Peter I just got thru in another thread telling how it often drops to zero in the van here...it was warm this morning at 6c.

You just need to get used to it ...I have no choice unless you call going back to Sydney a choice...I dress well and wear a fur hat which makes the difference..plus two scarf.. .I do find for some reason sitting in the observatory for a long while my legs still get cold even with two pairs of track pants but I found great trick..I now cover my legs in the bubble wrap that I cover the scopes and then warm as...
The funny thing is one of the side effects of my cancer drug is increased sensitivity to cold which certainly was the case in the first year...I felt cold at 18c..maybe that has conditioned me...

I do have a couple of heaters but they need the genny so I don't bother..

At least you are having a go.

Alex
.

[Greg Bock (Greg Bock)]

HI Peter
one question and one comment:
1, Can you tell us where you went please?, I'm interested as I have often thought that the area around Amiens looks like a great spot for some AP.

2. At Leyburn over the last 20 years (and also at the Qld Astrofest, Camp Duckadang) we have always used freezer suits designed for workers who access food freezers. We wouldn't face a winter here without them. Eg..last weekend, it was -2C again both nights, but our freezer suits made it comfy..combined with a balaclava to keep the back of the neck warm too.

By 2am, the inside of the van was 0C, but the electric blanket powered by the 12V system was very inviting and made sleep easy.

[Leo.G (Leo)]

As a former motorcyclist (still cycle just can't afford one at the moment) I'd highly recommend the purchase of good thermal under garments.
Personally I've become very fond of my cheaper Aldi branded Merino wool garments and also their down filled puffer jacket which is equally light and warm. The temps drop down to -10 locally through winter and I find the Merino garments and down jacket extremely warm.
A trick with motorcycling is layer clothing so you can add or remove layers as necessary. Going outside, rug up, coming back in, remove an item or two so you're not twice as cold next time you go out.



I'm only 63 and tend to like the cold as heat aggravates the chronic migraine headaches I suffer from.

[Greg Bock (Greg Bock)]

Thx for the Aldi tip Leo, will keep eyes open there in future.

[pmrid (Peter)]

Originally Posted by Greg Bock

HI Peter
one question and one comment:
1, Can you tell us where you went please?, I'm interested as I have often thought that the area around Amiens looks like a great spot for some AP.

2. At Leyburn over the last 20 years (and also at the Qld Astrofest, Camp Duckadang) we have always used freezer suits designed for workers who access food freezers. We wouldn't face a winter here without them. Eg..last weekend, it was -2C again both nights, but our freezer suits made it comfy..combined with a balaclava to keep the back of the neck warm too.

By 2am, the inside of the van was 0C, but the electric blanket powered by the 12V system was very inviting and made sleep easy.

G'day Greg,
the site is called "The Folly" and has a good web site. It's at the very end of Bents Rd (#1110) out of Ballandean and is positioned on a ridge generally runnng E-W and facing N. Of the 16 sites available, I chose #13 because it was farthest from other sites and potential sources of stray light. At the moment the place has that winter grass look (as dry as a dingo's etc). It's quiet, isolated, fenced, has good amenities on site. I booked online and received a gate code that has to be keyed in on arrival and departure so I didn't have any person to person interaction with anyone. It was great.

[Leo.G (Leo)]

Gold coast Aldi could get a different range of winter gear on the Gold Coast as to what we get in Lithgow where we frequently get sub zero temperatures and occasional snow.
I'll have to ask my sister, she lives somewhere up there and when I told her my thermometer in the crapper showed -10 at 4:30Am (sitting in an open window) she said she checked before going to bed and it only predicted 0-11 today for my region. They were very wrong!
I sent her a link to a weather station (military) 5 minutes down the road which recorded -9.6 at 6:45 AM this morning.


The secret is not just to get warm gear but to get clothing light enough not to end up looking or feeling like the Michelin man. Too much weight very soon becomes an issue as you're trying to have a certain amount of freedom of movement.


If I ever have the spare cash I may invest in some of the newer electric jackets and pants they sell for motorcycling. They plug into a 12 volt port in the bike (or 5V USB, I'm not sure). Either way it would be made light for motorcycling and reviews I've seen suggest it's very warm and has a good adjustment range. If it's USB powered it would be as simple as putting a power bank in the pocket with the jacket and pants plugged into it and not in the least restrictive in freedom of movement. And no annoying cables to trip over.


I just remembered, my ex mother in law always complained about the cold. I built her a chair one year but the ungrateful sod wouldn't even plug it in and try it.

[Greg Bock (Greg Bock)]

Peter, Thx for the info, will have to try that one for a change.

Leo, you just reminded me that I saw the battery powered jackets in a hardware in Monto ( i think) during a trip to Carnarvon Gorge recently. Great idea. I didnt get one cos i thought I wouldn't use it much, but maybe I'll lash out and get one anyway next time i see them.

[Drac0 (Mark)]

Originally Posted by pmrid

G'day Greg,
the site is called "The Folly" and has a good web site. It's at the very end of Bents Rd (#1110) out of Ballandean and is positioned on a ridge generally runnng E-W and facing N. Of the 16 sites available, I chose #13 because it was farthest from other sites and potential sources of stray light. At the moment the place has that winter grass look (as dry as a dingo's etc). It's quiet, isolated, fenced, has good amenities on site. I booked online and received a gate code that has to be keyed in on arrival and departure so I didn't have any person to person interaction with anyone. It was great.

Looks like a great site Peter, might have to drop in there next time I make a trip north with some time to spare.

Cheers,
Mark

[glend (Glen)]

Peter, among a fair number of southern dark site attendees, the Freezer Suit, favoured by those employed working all day in cold storage, food freezers, etc, became very popular. Geoff-the-Owl is the guy to contact. He regularly used to order a batch of Freezer suits for IIS members.

Cheers

[Leo.G (Leo)]

Quick mention about any motorbike related gear (mostly warm and light) there's a site I receive regular emails from who have the most amazing prices on top branded gear. MotoOutlet.


I haven't searched for whether they do the electric jackets, I mostly ignore the emails because I don't currently have a registered motorbike but friends who have told me they use the site have mentioned they can't be beaten for prices.
I have no affiliation with the site, I just get the emails and occasionally browse in the form of being a "Forever Dreamer"
I'll have a motorbike one day, the new MV Agusta Super Veloce excites me, I'll have to win the lotto to buy it then these old bones won't bend up into that race seating position but, "forever dreamer".


The following is a site/seller in the UK I'm guessing but they know about cold and motorbikes.
While pricing won't be correct for our market it does show a couple of heated vests and there use including battery/voltage supply requirements.

https://bikerrated.com/gear/clothing/heated-motorcycle-vests-jackets/

Another of my stupid thoughts about staying warm.
Now I'm going to make a coffee and put a slug of OP rum or brandy in it!
Oh, that works too but don't put a big slug if you're getting behind the wheel or stumbling around in the dark.

[floyd_2 (Dean)]

+1 for the freezer suits. I've had a Hepworth freezer suit for maybe 30 years and swear by it. If it's not close to, or below 0C outside, anything more than a T shirt and light track pants on inside a freezer suit will have you sweating. I've even taken to wearing mine after I shower this winter (not being a fan of the cold any more).

[OzEclipse (Joe Cali)]

I'll add my vote for the freezer suits. I live between Canberra and Young. I bought the freezer suit in 2014 in preparation for an Arctic expedition to observe a solar eclipse.

I also bought a pair of NEOS Explorer Overshoes. We observed the eclipse at -23C and I was perfectly warm. I also spent 6 hrs out at -16C observing a big auroral storm on Kvaloya, just south of the Arctic Circle in northern Norway.

Back home, I fell asleep one night in a comfortable camp chair at -8C wearing the suit. I woke 2 hrs later, covered in frost, perfectly warm in the suit. When the temp is around zero, I usually have to leave the suit unzipped or alternate between unzipped and zipped up.


I've never felt the need to wear the Explorer shoes in Australia. Maybe I will if someday, I do a nightscape shoot in the snowy mountains in winter.

Joe Cali

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

thanks for the mention Glen

yes freezer suits can still be ordered from my website for those interested

or just email me at gbyrnes@gtbonline.com.au

geoff

[Leo.G (Leo)]

I'll add my vote for the freezer suits. I live between Canberra and Young.

Well that's a recommendation if ever I've heard one, I spent 4 years living in Young before I decided to move to sunny Lithgow.
The windchill factor down there would freeze a nuclear reactor me thinks.

[AstroViking (Steve)]

Originally Posted by Geoff's Website

Get 360-degree protection from temperatures as low as -60o C with the full-length freezer suit.

The text on the website makes it look like the suits are good for -600 degrees C. If they are, then NASA would be hammering on your door...

[The_bluester (Paul)]

I have been meaning to get a freezer suit for years, is there a sizing guide around for them? I would not baulk at the price but I would baulk at getting it wrong.

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

here you go Paul

sizing guidelines as follows

to give you an idea of sizing look at the following
..............Pants......Waist..... .Coat...Chest
.sm..-........77reg.......30"............ ...34"
.med.-........87reg.......34"............ ...38"
.Lge.-........97reg.......38"............ ...42"
.XL..-.......107reg.......42"............ ...46"
.2XL.-.......117reg.......46"............ ...50"
.3XL.-.......127reg.......50"............ ...54"
and so on - add 10/4" to the pants and 4" to the jacket for each size up
basically same guide for one piece suits as well
geoff

[AdamJL]

any options for freezer suits without the high-vis markings?

[Nikolas (Nik)]

Not sure if you have one but diesel heaters for caravans are excellent for warming them up where you don't have mains power. As for clothing for outside as Leo suggested layer up wearing lightweight thermals (also a motorcyclist)