I survived -7 °C (19 °F) in the Cascades with no tent and no sleeping bag-just a tarp, clothing, and snow. Total sleep gear: 1.1 kg. Here’s the blueprint.
The 1.1 kg Sleep Rig
- 3 × 3 m silnylon tarp - 450 g.
- 1 L Nalgene + neoprene sleeve - 180 g.
- 100 g/m² synthetic puffy (hooded) - 350 g.
- Closed-cell foam sit-pad (38 × 28 cm) - 120 g.
10-Minute Shelter
- Find two trees 2.5 m apart, 1 m above deep snow.
- Tie ridgeline at chest height; pitch tarp in plow-point config-30 cm above ground at foot, 80 cm at head.
- Bank snow 40 cm high along three sides-blocks wind, reflects heat.
Ground Insulation
- Shovel 25 cm of packed snow into a platform; top with sit-pad under hips.
- Fluff loose snow 15 cm thick under shoulders and legs-R-value ≈ 1.5.
Sleep Sequence
- Eat 700 kcal (oatmeal + butter).
- Boil 1 L water; pour into Nalgene, place at core.
- Wear all clothes: base, mid, puffy, wind shell.
- Crawl under tarp; pull snow blocks to seal door.
Micro-Climate Tricks
- Breathe into puffy-exhales pre-warm the micro-air.
- Bottle lasts 5 h; rotate to feet at 0300.
- Too warm? Crack tarp door 10 cm.
Night Data
- Outside: -7 °C, 10 km/h wind.
- Inside tarp: -1 °C at 0200.
- Puffy loft stayed dry; snow sublimated off tarp.
Emergency Boosts
- No fire? Fill bottle with warm pee-still 37 °C.
- Wind shifts? Re-pitch in 3 minutes.
Why It Works
- Tarp + snow walls = 70 % wind block.
- Puffy + vapor control = zero sweat chill.
- Hot bottle bridges the 10 pm-3 am cold gap.
Ditch the tent and bag on your next snow camp-save 3 kg and sleep like a pro.
Comment your minimalist cold-night win below.