[at-l] wetness of sleeping bag

[wdlists at optonline.net (Walter Daniels)]

Basically the inside of a sleeping bag is warm because you are in it. You
also give off a lot of moisture all the time, including at night. The
outside of a sleeping bag is cold or at least colder than the inside so
water condenses if the dewpoint is low enough. This is what gives you dew on
the ground as the ground evaporates water or the air has excess water toward
the colder grass where it condenses. Typically any cold surface without a
lot of air flow across it is a candidate for condensation. If your tent had
all the windows open to allow more air circulation you should have less
condensation, but when conditions are right, there is little you can do to
prevent it.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: at-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net 
> [mailto:at-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net] On Behalf Of 
> David Jessop
> Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2003 9:46 PM
> To: at-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Subject: [at-l] wetness of sleeping bag
> 
> 
> Hi,
> 
> I went backpacking this weekend on the Quehanna Trail in PA. It did 
> not rain during the night and when I awoke, the inside of my tent 
> remained dry save for a bit of sweating. However, the outside of my 
> sleeping bag around my feet was quite wet. I was using a 3/4 Z-rest 
> and the dampness was only noticable where there was no pad. I don't 
> really understand this phenomenon; is this related to the vapor 
> barrier? Can someone please explain this concept or point me in the 
> direction where I can understand it better and rectify it next time? 
> Thanks...
> 
> -David Jessop
> _______________________________________________
> at-l mailing list
> at-l@mailman.backcountry.net 
> http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/at-l
> 
> ---
> Incoming 
> mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.502 / Virus Database: 300 - Release Date: 7/18/2003
>  
> 

---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.502 / Virus Database: 300 - Release Date: 7/18/2003