Discussion Topic |
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Topic Author's Original Post - Oct 10, 2008 - 04:19pm PT
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Ok, once you bust one of these things out for a bivy, there's no way to fold them back down to size and I feel guilty tossing it after one night.
What are your ideas for making some productive use of a used emergency space blanket?
Peace
karl
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Oct 10, 2008 - 04:21pm PT
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Tin foil hats, of course! Steady demand for them around here. Russ may agree to help with production.
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MisterE
Trad climber
My Inner Nut
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Oct 10, 2008 - 04:36pm PT
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I have used them under a pack cover to keep a chest cooler hold ice longer!
Erik
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Oct 10, 2008 - 04:39pm PT
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Either throw it away or don't buy one in the first place. There are re-usable ones. A tad bulkier, but re-usable.
I don't understand just pack it up, is you pack that tight for space?
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Gene
climber
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Oct 10, 2008 - 05:06pm PT
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Find a place where there is nothing flammable for miles, like the middle of a large lake or ocean. Wait for a very cold and still night. Get some birthday candles, two pieces of balsa wood and some string. Use the string to secure the balsa wood and make an X. Tie string to each corner of the space blanket and to the ends of the balsa wood X. Light up a birthday candle and attach the other candles to the little pools of hot melted wax on the balsa wood. Light up all the candles and watch your hot air balloon take off.
Do at your own risk.
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 10, 2008 - 05:11pm PT
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To have them around for an emergency (and not a planned bivy) they have to fold back to cigarette pack size. It ain't happening.
Peace
Karl
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Oct 10, 2008 - 05:22pm PT
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Karl, I use those ones that are red one side, metallic silver the other. I just use it as a liner for the bottom of my pack. It's always there, keeps sh#t dry when the bottom of pack hits water, reusable, easy.
I have yet to use mine but it's still there, about 5 years old.
Ya know the ones I'm talking about? They are bulkier.
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klk
Trad climber
cali
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Oct 10, 2008 - 05:26pm PT
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just chuck it. it's an emergency rig, so it's not like you're tossing one away every week.
compared with the stacks and stacks of nylon, poly and teflon that most of us pile up over the course of a career, i think that a disposable space blanket should not weigh too heavy on the conscience.
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nutjob
Stoked OW climber
San Jose, CA
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Oct 10, 2008 - 09:49pm PT
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I've used my little cheap space blanket twice when I had no other shelter, and I still carry it. The first time it ripped in half and I used finger-tape to keep the pieces sorta together. It was pretty trashed after the second night.
But I'll be damned if I'm going to spend another $2.97 to buy a new one, and let the plastic rot in landfill. Let's just not talk about the cut ropes, camalots left behind, and other battle victims.
If that space blanket thing gets too funky to use, here's what I'll do with it:
1) Keep half of it as part of a solar distiller for collecting ground moisture when I go on desert adventures
2) Tie half of it to my body, and connect it with a cut-off tube from a broken camel-back, and make a desert 'stil-suit like from Frank Herbert's Dune
3) When I'm done visiting the desert, I'll find a friend who has a dark living room with a window onto a small deck, and then put up the shiny metal thing on the deck outside so it can reflect some nice sunshine into their dingey little hole.
When the elements have broken it down a little more, the last step before a logical end will be to put it through a paper shredder and use it for New Year's confetti.
And then when we vacuum up the little pieces a week later, I'll reclaim them and make it into glitter pieces to use with glue sticks for the kids' arts and crafts projects.
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Melissa
Gym climber
berkeley, ca
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Oct 10, 2008 - 09:52pm PT
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Burning Man costumery and/or decorations. Even if you don't want it for that use, there are plenty of folks looking to add a little mylar to their rig there. Similarly, you can donate it to an art supply collective (there's one in oakland/berkeley if you're in the area) or school art dept.
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hafilax
Trad climber
East Van
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Oct 10, 2008 - 09:58pm PT
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Use it as a layer of superinsulation in the cryostat of your superconducting magnet. You have a superconducting magnet right?
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nick d
Trad climber
nm
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Oct 10, 2008 - 10:00pm PT
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Eat it and crap shiny mylar turds.
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Dr. Rock
Ice climber
http://tinyurl.com/4oa5br
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Oct 10, 2008 - 10:01pm PT
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Glue it to a cardboard mold in the shape of a Parabola and use it for a WiFi dish.
Drive around the Park with it on top of your car and Wardrive Camp Curry or Yellow.
You would be violated to see what the Winnie crowd is bringin in on the Sat dish.
Worse case is the chicks think you are some kind of Park Secret Asian Man, and you might get privraldges.
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Oct 10, 2008 - 10:10pm PT
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Make confetti out of it, and scatter it around the Valley. Near the Visitor Centre, for example, in mid-September. All the FaceLifters will greatly enjoy picking it up with their litter sticks.
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nita
climber
chica from chico, I don't claim to be a daisy
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Oct 10, 2008 - 10:10pm PT
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Halloween is just around the corner,fine costume material..be creative.
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Jingy
Social climber
Flatland, Ca
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Oct 10, 2008 - 10:12pm PT
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Wrap a sack of potatoes up, then stuff under the fire (down in the ashes) for a tasty dinner treat for everyone....
And don't forget..
The potato is a butter delivery system... No matter how much butter you add.. It can always take more...!!
Hey, or you can poke a tiny hole in it and watch a solar eclipse...
You ever need an extra antenna? I've seen worse....
If you cut it up into equal parts and glue them to your lamp shade for an interesting disco ball effect!!!!
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MisterE
Trad climber
My Inner Nut
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Oct 11, 2008 - 12:03am PT
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Make a killer retro Devo outfit out of them - maybe some space-blanket manpri's (don't forget to gusset the crotch!) with a Jetson's reflective collar
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Wade Icey
Trad climber
www.alohashirtrescue.com
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Oct 11, 2008 - 12:26am PT
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Build a wire frame and Voila! Baked Potato Halloween Costume.™
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corniss chopper
Mountain climber
san jose, ca
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Oct 11, 2008 - 12:40am PT
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I've had stupefying good results staying warm while ski-packing
with the space blanket glued (used spray-on adhesive) to a plastic ground sheet. This gives it strength and will not tear.
Added benefit of DIY is you get an optimum size sheet for
under sleeping bag and pad. The insulation added is major.
Anyone used one of the space-blanket bivi sac's?
Seen 'em for $30 at the store. Figure 2 big trash bags + 2
space blankets and some spray adhesive would make the same rig for
much less. Saw a PCT thru hiker using one last summer instead of a
real sleeping bag.
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Wade Icey
Trad climber
www.alohashirtrescue.com
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Oct 11, 2008 - 12:43am PT
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that's an awesome use of a space blanket!
oh... and corniss, your idea was okay too.
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MisterE
Trad climber
My Inner Nut
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Oct 11, 2008 - 12:54am PT
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Stupefying...yeah, that's it.
What were we talking about?
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 11, 2008 - 12:54am PT
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Cool ideas. Thanks.
Indianclimber's space blanket doesn't look like it would be warm enough for an emergency except if you applied the blanket and it's inhabitant.
I'm intrigued by the sleeping pad modification.
Peace
Karl
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dirtineye
Trad climber
the south
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Oct 11, 2008 - 10:34am PT
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Love the glued on ground sheet idea.
I used one once to mark a climb by tying it to a tree.
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Oct 11, 2008 - 01:18pm PT
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I bet a space blanket would make a pretty good suit for a scarecrow. All the fluttering and shining might actually annoy the corvidae.
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Elcapinyoazz
Social climber
Redlands
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Oct 11, 2008 - 01:19pm PT
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Line the walls of your grow room, duuuuuude.
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hungry man
Trad climber
around
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Oct 11, 2008 - 02:34pm PT
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The new space blankets are made of a totally different material. I just bought one, and it rocks! It's not all crinkly and noisy like the original ones, and I can fold it back to almost factory size. It comes in a cool case, too.
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corniss chopper
Mountain climber
san jose, ca
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Oct 11, 2008 - 03:31pm PT
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del cross -you've asked the key question. Congrats Einstein!
First its not the mylar but the aluminum layer coating on it that reflects the infrared radiation.
Wrap da mind around the idea this is insulation for 'thermal radiation' and not for 'conduction' and you got it.
Results: its warmer inside the tent.
So a space blanket glued to a plastic sheet (for strength) covering the footprint area of yer tent masks the blackbody IR absorbtion characteristic of the snow underneath. (ie snow is black in the IR spectrum). The benefit: IR is reflected back up from the floor rather than absorbed into it.
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TradIsGood
Chalkless climber
the Gunks end of the country
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Oct 11, 2008 - 03:51pm PT
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Line your pack with it when you travel on airlines to keep the preying eyes at the x-ray machine out.
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corniss chopper
Mountain climber
san jose, ca
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Oct 11, 2008 - 04:21pm PT
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Space blankets....$2.99
Radiant barriers are materials which reflect radiation and therefore reduce the flow of heat from radiation sources. Good insulators are not necessarily good radiant barriers, and vice versa.
Metal, for instance, is an excellent reflector and poor insulator.
Foam pads make good insulators but poor reflectors.
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Indianclimber
Trad climber
Lost Wages
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Oct 11, 2008 - 06:11pm PT
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Had to spend a cold night under one of those things,the damn crinkeling noise kept me awake as much as the cold.
Are those things flammable?I was worried all night I would go up in flames if it got to close to my mini fire
Ninfa
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Chris2
Trad climber
The Gunks to Joshua Tree
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Oct 11, 2008 - 07:02pm PT
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I agree with a previous post. Homeless people.
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 11, 2008 - 07:30pm PT
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Lots of good ideas. I figured ya'll would have some thoughts. I'm not losing sleep over it.
"Karl, these are meant to be one-use items of course. But are you sure you tried really hard to refold it? A friend impressed me by getting one down to nearly the same size as original without all that much effort. I'll pack that one again."
Dude, I have enough trouble folding my clothes. Seems like they might be good for keeping heat away as well. Maybe hunker under one on a wall while waiting for the sun to go away or to keep the sun from heating my van through the windows/curtains
Peace
Karl
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 13, 2008 - 11:27pm PT
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Wasn't really unplanned. We bivied on top of the Royal Arches to get an early start on the second ascent of a new North Dome route. I was wearing a down suit, which I though would be enough, but it was a chilly night with a chill breeze so about 4 am I busted out the space blanket.
Peace
Karl
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Oct 14, 2008 - 01:41pm PT
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Karl
Keep them at home and use them
when you have to crawl around under your vehicle,
like when you're doing oil changes, etc. . . then toss. . .
Keeps you a bit cleaner than on the garage floor. . .
Also, I sent you an email yesterday inquiring about your
special purchase book--did you get it?
I'm interested in getting one, but can't seem to
find how on your site. . .
email me?
Thanks
SteveW
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 14, 2008 - 02:10pm PT
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Hi Steve
Didn't get your email. I'll check my spam box. No info on the books on my site yet
Thanks
karl
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ontheedgeandscaredtodeath
Trad climber
San Francisco, Ca
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Oct 14, 2008 - 02:15pm PT
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The thing I hate about those blankets is the noise. It's bad enough to be shivering through the night but it adds insult to injury to be rousted by crinkles everytime you switch from switch from one aching hip to the other.
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corniss chopper
Mountain climber
san jose, ca
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Oct 17, 2008 - 02:13pm PT
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The crinkel noise is gone when the space blanket is glued to
a plastic sheet.
Note: 2 large garbage bags cut open to make a rectangle that fits the tent floor works. Then join em with spray adhesive
and then layer on the space blankets to make a radiant barrier.
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MisterE
Trad climber
My Inner Nut
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Oct 17, 2008 - 05:31pm PT
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ah ah ah ah....stayin' alive, stayin' alive!
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smallspark
Gym climber
philadelphia
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Mylar blankets can be used to help insulate winter cat shelters. Find a feral cat colony or cat people (like me) and give them it. They will hug you if they make shelters, if they don't know how google "winter cat shelters" It's easy to make.
How cool would that be! I know I can use them. I'm located in philly = if anyone wants to mail me one.
you can email me at fishtown.cat.shelters@gmail.com for the address.
This is a project which I'm literally just starting now. You would be shocked at what a PITA it is to find supplies locally in the city without running around to 10 different places or paying above market retail.
Or find a local group near you - especially right now.
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Jingy
Social climber
Flatland, Ca
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if you can get a thick enough skewer....
Climber Cabobs?
Wrap climber in space blanket (aka - foil) making sure to twist both ends of the space blanket tightly at the head and feet...
Slip foiled climber onto cabob skewer makeing sure not to move around vital organs and possibly contaminating the inards..
Set over high flame for several hours, making sure to keep it turning.
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ec
climber
ca
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The Emergency Space Bag is a better bivy than the blanket.
Save a couple of small corners to place in the heels behind the achilles in that painful spot in yer tight rockshoes, it works to remedy that.
 ec
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Dick Danger
Trad climber
Lakewood, Colorado
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I've always had a bit of a "green thumb"... I used to like to grow my own herbs and stuff in sheds, closets, and other small rooms. I covered the walls and floors of these gardens with space blankets to help maximize and reflect light in the "victory garden". I've since learned that eggshell white paint is more reflective.
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hooblie
climber
from where the anecdotes roam
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Sep 21, 2010 - 09:15am PT
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i'm overly concerned about the idea of going out of this world as bicycle roadkill, so i've got some shiny loops of flagging in trail behind my camelback. i'm hoping it reflects some headlight action. if drivers are anything like moths ... all my worries, soon be over
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em kn0t
Trad climber
isle of wyde
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Sep 23, 2010 - 03:22am PT
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That's funny Dingus. The way I remember that bivy, you were the consummate Southern gentleman, who moved over to another ledge so Brutus and I could have a little space to stretch our legs and play our silly mylar bivy-bag games. I remember that weird siren song too (it was NOT me!) And that sweetest drink of water in the morning...a gift beyond measure from Brutus.
No regrets, just another night out in the mountains (albeit one of the longest, coldest ones). With two of the best climbing partners on the planet.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
sorry, just posting out loud.
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Sep 23, 2010 - 03:34am PT
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so enjoyed reading that, thx guys
water is life
-Brutus on Tempest, El Cap
and apparently mylar is weak
-Munge, computer, 12am
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 23, 2010 - 03:39am PT
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Great Posts Buddies! I love you guys!
Peace
karl
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nutjob
Trad climber
Berkeley, CA
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Sep 23, 2010 - 04:33am PT
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More gold. Thanks Dingus, Em, and the spirit of Brutus for bringing more light to this place!
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Jingy
climber
Somewhere out there
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Sep 23, 2010 - 11:16am PT
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anybody know of a good way to dipose of a body...?
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 23, 2010 - 12:39pm PT
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call Sar!
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luggi
Trad climber
from the backseat of Jake& Elwood Blues car
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Sep 23, 2010 - 12:41pm PT
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Impress you female backpacking companion...find a nice bathtub shaped indentation in something...granite near water...mold blanket to said rock and fill with water...later a warm bath for the lady...:-)
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| Messages 1 - 53 of total 53 in this topic |
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