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Feature: February 2007 Emergency Shelter by Expedition Essentials/Sea Kayaking USA |
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| Lots
of animals huddle together for warmth—musk oxen, penguins
and bees all do it—but unfortunately, social mores prevent
many of us from spooning with our paddling mates.
So if we come ashore for a lunch break during a winter outing,
it won’t
be long before we’ll want to be paddling again just to warm
up. The Emergency Shelter from Expedition Essentials can make it
possible to huddle up for warmth without encroaching too much on
anyone’s “personal space.” The Emergency Shelter
is an update on an old concept and
uses lightweight paragliding material to make
a bag big enough to cover four people. It’s an effective barrier against the wind, but it isn’t breathable. It may get a bit clammy inside as the humidity goes up, but fortunately the evaporative heat loss from your skin or wet clothing is slowed. The fabric repels water but isn’t entirely waterproof—if you use it as a barrier between you and a wet surface, you’ll get a wet seat, but since you’re dressed for immersion (right?), it isn’t a problem. |
|
 When we tested
the bag with two people inside on a 48˚F evening, the temperature
inside the bag climbed quickly, reaching a very comfortable 70˚F
in five minutes. The shelter has two “ports” large enough
to poke your head out. There are webbing loops at the corners you
could use to set the shelter up in camp to provide privacy for a
camp outhouse or shower stall.Stowed in its stuff sack, the Emergency Shelter is a compact package, about half the size of a loaf of bread, and would easily fit into a day compartment. Sure it would come in useful in an emergency, but it’s also a great refuge anytime the weather is foul. Emergency Shelter, $120 Expedition Essentials/Sea Kayaking USA dale@seakayakingusa.com www.seakayakingusa.com (see website for dealers) |
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