Underground Camping Summary

First time underground campers will be a bit bewildered about the logistics of camping at the far end of a fairly tough caving trip.
Here's a quick guide....

On arrival in Camp you will probably be a bit muddy and your under suit damp from exertion.
Strip off your oversuit and dive into the tent and get the stove going on full power.
It quickly warms up and gets comfortable. While eating, your under suit will do a passable impression of drying out.

The sleeping bags are already in camp, and must be kept clean and dry.
Change into the clean base layer and socks you brought with you and dive into the sleeping bag.
Most people sleep surprisingly well in camp even though it is slightly disorientating to wake up in total darkness.

Light the stove and make breakfast.
The most important thing is that the sleeping bags go back in the dry sacks clean and dry ready for the next time. Air the sleeping bags while making breakfast.

What sort of base layer do people find works best? I tend to get chilly easily, any recommendations?

jwhistler wrote:What sort of base layer do people find works best? I tend to get chilly easily, any recommendations?

It's a balance between warmth and premium space in the tackle bag getting them to camp.
My experience last year was that warmth wasn't a problem as I got into the sleeping bags as soon as I got into my base layer, but it may not always be as straightforward as my experience and warmth is good. However, my tackle bag was overloaded and a base layer that compresses better might be a good thing for me to look into.
Duncan

FYI Jo, Alpkit have provided us with 8 primaloft jackets to wear whilst we are at camp.
There are loads of mens M and L and two womens 12.

I wear a proper warm baselayer at camp. I usually go for my arteryx thermal lined high neck thermal, winter leggings and a good thermal lined balaclava.

Have a look at the Alpkit range, there stuff is genuinely good and great value. I'm currently negociating a deal with them for personal kit so stay tuned.