The Wool Blanket

I took a Thermarest pad and it wouldn't inflate. The first night temperatures were in the 40s and I slept on the hard ground under a wool blanket and a Wiggy's Poncho Liner. I was uncomfortable as the ground was slightly uneven.

The second night of the trip was a bit warmer and I slept on top of a folded wool blanket and under the poncho liner. This was better and slightly more comfortable.

The next morning we headed for an Army Surplus Store and George encouraged us to look at some German Army wool blankets that rivalled the thickness and quality of my Hudson Bay 6-point. For $25.75 I couldn't resist and brought one back to camp with me. That night I slept on two wool blankets and under the poncho liner. Success!!! I slept hard that night.

I've pushed the idea of a bedroll for some time now and, after last week's trip, now find myself even more convinced that it is the way to go for three-season camping.

Before leaving town, I hit the Surplus Store one more time and picked up the last of their blankets. Now I've got one for my bedroll and one for each car. Two wool blankets on top of a space blanket makes a fantastic ground mat AND can be used for extra warmth if needed.

They'll also work right up next to a small fire as the wool will resist burning much longer than the synthetics used on/in most sleeping bags.

Thanks for reading,


B