# Is there any place on earth so cold that a tent & sleeping bag can't keep you alive?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [February 20, 2006, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285 "2006-02-20T03:57:26Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2006, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285/1 "2006-02-20T03:57:26Z")
I was reading some equipment reviews in Backpacker Magazine this evening and was impressed with some of the latest, high performance one man tents and sleeping bags. I wondered if there was anyplace on Earth so, cold that a high performance one man tent and lofty sleeping bag would not be enough to get you through the night.
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### Author:  [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2006, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285/2 "2006-02-20T04:03:17Z")
Parts of Antactica and the Northern Polar regions get really, really cold. The coldest temperature ever recorded at[Vostok, Antarctica,](http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2000/YongLiLiang.shtml) reached -129 F. There is no way you could have anything,including your face or mouth, exposed to that. The temperature chart at the bottom of the link makes their regular temperatures suspect as well.
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### Author:  [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2006, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285/3 "2006-02-20T05:16:57Z")
In the dead of winter at Antarctic science stations, they take boiling water outside and throw it into the air. It freezes on its way up.
I wouldn’t want to be the person testing your proposition in such conditions.
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### Author:  [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2006, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285/4 "2006-02-20T07:41:09Z")
For sleeping, it is not a problem, it is a problem to do anything else in those conditions.
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### Author:  [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2006, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285/5 "2006-02-20T13:36:11Z")
Anyplace on earth covered by water would really suck in a tent and sleeping bag, and that would knock out about 2/3- 3/4 of the surface of the earth.
A major hailstorm could also bit the big one in a tent.
But besides that, with the proper insulation in the sleeping bag I don’t see a problem even at the polls.
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### Author:  [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2006, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285/6 "2006-02-20T13:41:52Z")
> [@kanicbird](#):
>
> with the proper insulation in the sleeping bag I don’t see a problem even at the polls.
What does voting have to do with it? 😉
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### Author:  [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2006, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285/7 "2006-02-20T13:44:32Z")
> [@GusNSpot](#):
>
> For sleeping, it is not a problem, it is a problem to do anything else in those conditions.
Such as, wake up? 😃
I’m sure there are some large Liquid Nitrogen tanks and science lab freezers that are near 0 Kelvin, at which you’d have a hard time surviving for more than a fraction of a second. (Hey, the OP didn’t specify _naturally occurring_ places on earth…)
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### Author:  [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2006, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285/8 "2006-02-20T14:31:51Z")
> [@garygnu](#):
>
> In the dead of winter at Antarctic science stations, they take boiling water outside and throw it into the air. It freezes on its way up.
> I wouldn’t want to be the person testing your proposition in such conditions.
Is that really true, or do you watch too many Bugs Bunny cartoons?
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### Author:  [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2006, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285/9 "2006-02-20T14:56:14Z")
> [@kanicbird](#):
>
> But besides that, with the proper insulation in the sleeping bag I don’t see a problem even at the polls.
I’m not familiar with any sleeping bags rated down to, say, minus 100 F, nor would I want to pitch tent in 40 mph winds, which is a possibility in Antartica’s mountainous terrain. I suppose one could stuff sleeping bag into another bag into another bag, but as said above, you couldn’t leave a square inch of your skin exposed, not for hours on end.
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### Author:  [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2006, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285/10 "2006-02-20T15:02:48Z")
> [@AWB](#):
>
> Is that really true, or do you watch too many Bugs Bunny cartoons?
I’ve done this in Fairbanks Alaska when it was only 60 below. It doesn’t freeze in one big chunk, it freezes into ice crystals. Most of it evaporates before it hits the ground, at 60 below the air is dry as a bone.
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### Author:  [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2006, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285/11 "2006-02-20T15:03:50Z")
At extreme Antartic temps, my guess is yes, Antarctica on a bad month would be too cold:
Marmot’s top-of-the-line CWM EQ Sleeping Bag, rated at (only) minus 40 F.
“This goose down bag from Marmot® is designed for extreme cold–from polar regions to high-altitude mountaineering in the Himalayas. Lofty, premium 800-fill-power goose down offers superb warmth for minimal weight; meticulously cleaned and processed for hypo-allergenic qualities. Nine-baffle chest section provides maximum goose down control for warmth and durability. Six-Baffle Hood envelopes your head in warmth, while the Face Muff allows hood to be cinched snug without digging into your face…”
Cost: Almost $700 US, from REI.
[http://www.rei.com/product/47979863.htm](http://www.rei.com/product/47979863.htm)
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### Author:  [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2006, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285/12 "2006-02-20T15:15:04Z")
Minus 60 F bag: [http://www.us-elitegear.com/catalog/softie-18-antarctica.htm](http://www.us-elitegear.com/catalog/softie-18-antarctica.htm)
“After my meeting with this individual I was informed that he was a Canadian, had I known I would have made him aware that the Canadian Rangers who regularly train near Hudson’s Bay in winter when the temperature is quite often -50 F use my Antarctic Flexible Temperature Range Sleep System which is rated to -80 F and my ground pad. A short time later I received the following e mail; “I am a Petty Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. Several years ago I worked at the equipment procurement at Fleet Diving Unit Atlantic. I ordered five Super Light FTRSS (rated for -40 F). They proved to be indispensable and when we were deployed to northern Maine in February. The temperature reached a chilly -57 one night. Although we were not sweating, your bags kept us warm through the night and I am eternally grateful. Now I am working on the opposite coast at Fleet Diving Unit Pacific. We need to order six of your Super Light FTRSS sets.”
> **[Danger From Within](https://www.wiggys.com/wiggys-blog/2005/09/danger-from-within/)**
>
> The U.S. Army has a solicitation out for a new sleep system. The size of the bags is exactly the same as my long wide body size and the temperature rating is the same as mine, +35 for the outer bag known as the Patrol Bag and 0 degrees for the inner...
\>\> No word of whether this was outside, in a tent. I’m guessing no.
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### Author:  [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2006, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285/13 "2006-02-20T16:42:18Z")
There’s a guy thay survived a night near the summit of K2 in a bivouac sack, this is considered a superhuman, or at least extremely lucky/stupid achievment.
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### Author:  [@bizzwire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizzwire)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2006, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285/14 "2006-02-20T17:24:32Z")
Does my conjugal bed count?
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### Author:  [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2006, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285/15 "2006-02-20T18:18:54Z")
Not only is Antarctica very cold, it’s also very windy. 40mph winds? Try +100 mph winds. Combine that with temperatures below -70F being a regular occurance, factor in an altitude 10,000 feet above sea level (making both fire and respiration less heat producing). To survive the absolute worst conditions ever recorded, you’d need a tent with it’s own insulation, a portable heater, the warmest sleeping bag available AND full body sleeping wear.
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### Author:  [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2006, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285/16 "2006-02-20T18:30:47Z")
> [@Lemur866](#):
>
> I’ve done this in Fairbanks Alaska when it was only 60 below. It doesn’t freeze in one big chunk, it freezes into ice crystals. Most of it evaporates before it hits the ground, at 60 below the air is dry as a bone.
But what we really want to know (for science) is what happens when you pee?
Do you get little yellow snowflakes falling down? Ice bb’s? Yellow hail? A mini St. Louis Arch?
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### Author:  [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2006, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285/17 "2006-02-20T19:52:31Z")
> [@Carnac the Magnificent!](#):
>
> I’m not familiar with any sleeping bags rated down to, say, minus 100 F, nor would I want to pitch tent in 40 mph winds, which is a possibility in Antartica’s mountainous terrain.
I doubt anyone could pitch a tent at those temperatures. Too much shrinkage!
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### Author:  [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2006, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285/18 "2006-02-20T20:08:42Z")
> [@GargoyleWB](#):
>
> But what we really want to know (for science) is what happens when you pee?
You get about a second and a half of yellow snowflakes and then your dick freezes and falls off. 😉
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### Author:  [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2006, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285/19 "2006-02-21T02:37:03Z")
> [@Lumpy](#):
>
> Not only is Antarctica very cold, it’s also very windy. 40mph winds? Try +100 mph winds. Combine that with temperatures below -70F being a regular occurance, factor in an altitude 10,000 feet above sea level (making both fire and respiration less heat producing). To survive the absolute worst conditions ever recorded, you’d need a tent with it’s own insulation, a portable heater, the warmest sleeping bag available AND full body sleeping wear.
I was giving a realistic wind speed, not extremes. If we’re talking extremes, all bets are off. I’ve read that the wind on Antarctica frequently isn’t bad, especially near the pole. Depends on where though. I’m sure in the mountains it can be brutal.
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### Author:  [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2006, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-place-on-earth-so-cold-that-a-tent-sleeping-bag-cant-keep-you-alive/345285/20 "2006-02-21T02:41:32Z")
Mawson Station (Australia)
Average wind speed: 67km/hr 44mph
[http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:a07mtIr4pAYJ:www.ast.leeds.ac.uk/haverah/spaseman/faq.shtml+average+wind+speed+antarctica&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=3](http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:a07mtIr4pAYJ:www.ast.leeds.ac.uk/haverah/spaseman/faq.shtml+average+wind+speed+antarctica&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=3)
Annual Climate Summary for 2001
South Pole Station, Antarctica
Temperature:
Average temp… -49.8C/-57.6F
Average wind speed… 12.4 mph or 10.8 knots
[http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:Am0ciIsL5vUJ:www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/weather/almanac/yearlysummaries/2001yearly.htm+average+wind+speed+antarctica&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=2](http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:Am0ciIsL5vUJ:www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/weather/almanac/yearlysummaries/2001yearly.htm+average+wind+speed+antarctica&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=2)
Many people think of Antarctica as a windy place. That is true, but only near the edges of the continent. At a coastal location, like Australia’s Mawson Base, winds average 40 km per hour, with week-long blizzards bringing winds in excess of 80 km per hour and gusts up to 190 km per hour.
high on the plateau, at the South Pole, the average wind speed is typically less than 14 km per hour, with the peak winds rarely over 40 km per hour. There the winds almost always blow from the same direction - the compass quadrant containing Dome A, the highest point on the Antarctic Plateau. At Dome A, typical wind speeds are less than a few km per hour, making it possibly the calmest place on Earth.
[http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:SfwihNIlPU8J:astro.uchicago.edu/cara/outreach/coldfacts.html+average+wind+speed+antarctica&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=9](http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:SfwihNIlPU8J:astro.uchicago.edu/cara/outreach/coldfacts.html+average+wind+speed+antarctica&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=9)
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