Larping in the Rain

Lia Lonalys

Newbie
So it looks like we may get hit with rain this opener weekend, but fret not! Plenty of fun can still be had as long as you plan properly. I thought to make it easier, I would post some tips for wet and colder weather as well as a packing list to consider:

  • Wool is your friend. Water resistant, windproof, historically period, wool is wonderful.
  • While fleece is cheaper, less scratchy and as water resistant if not better than wool, it is not as windproof. Keep that in mind. Also beware open flames with fleece.
  • Wear layers so you can regulate body heat. A little chill is way better than overheating.
  • Overheating makes you sweat, and being wet or sweaty you'll lose heat up to 25 times faster.
Tent campers:
  • The Tent and sleeping bag do not produce heat. You do. They keep it in. Remember that.
  • To warm up a sleeping bag, try a 'well-sealed' bottle of hot water. Wet sleeping bags won't insulate you from cold. That or get your body moving and warm before you go to sleep.
  • Don't put wet clothes inside your sleeping bag - condensation will make it wet, you'll be cold.
  • Don't put the sleeping bag over your face. Again, condensation will happen from your breath, you'll be cold. Use a scarf, gator, or other appropriate face cover instead.
  • Extra blankets.
  • Wear a hat! Keeping your head warm is extremely important. You lose the most body heat from your head.
  • If your sleeping bag is too big, stuff dry clothes in it to prevent the bellows effect of moving air inside, which cools you down and makes you cold.
  • Warm dry feet are happy feet.
  • Don't forget extra clothes. They're more important when it's cold and wet outside than in summer.
  • Don't wear clothes or boots too tight. That restricts circulation, makes you colder.
  • Insulate your tent with a tarp underneath, making sure edges don't stick out or rain will seep under, pool, amd make you cold. Also consider- cheap blankets on the bottom of your tent.
  • Tent placement: You don't want to be in a windy place - if you are, you might want to place something on one side as a wind break. Trees are great unless stuff is falling from them (branches, fruit, thieves, etc).
  • Don't forget a sleeping pad. Maybe double up for extra insulation as the sleeping bag compresses on the bottom. Cold ground makes for cold sleeping as you lose more heat to the ground than the air around you.
Tools and miscellaneous knowledge:
  • Bring extra blankets, tarps and rope.
  • Tarps are excellent and versatile. You can put it below your tent to protect it from getting wet, you can put it above for extra rain protection, you can string it up for a wind break, or rain shelter. Can use instead of tents too and as backup shelters or for covering gear outside.
  • Eat. You need more food when you get wet and cold than when you are warm.
  • Drink water. Drink like it's summer. Drink twice what you think you need. If your urine is not clear, drink more water. Water is extremely important, and not drinking enough will also make you feel colder.
  • Consider a set of waterproof rain larp gear. Leather, metal, and absorbent fabrics are going to need to be dried off well, checked for rust and mold, and washed if able.
  • Beware, your stuff will get muddy. Peopl+rain=mud. If you hve tarps and are tent camping, I suggest making an area for shoes sheltered from tthe rain outside your tent so you dont bring mud inside. Maybe string up some extra rope outside to hang wet gear as well. Otherwise just get a stuff sack, and sort/dry it all when you get home.
  • On that note, plastic bags. Big ones. Small ones, all sorts for the bits and pieces youd like to keep dry.
  • * leather pouches are not made waterproof. The stuff inside will get wet unless properly protected.
Packing list for rain:
+Tarps
+rope
+a pocket knife or utilitool for said rope
+waterproof cloak, clothing, or outer layer.
+extra clothes and undergarments.
+extra socks. Warm feet are happy feet.
+extra blankets
+bags for gear and bits to keep them dry during transport.
+extra sleeping lad/ground tarp
+a hat

Please add to this section if you have any other ideas of advice for rain!
 
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