Easy To Make Winter Cowboy Bed Roll

Learn how to easily turn a blanket or two plus a canvas tarp into a very warm sleeping system for colder weather. Lonnie shows each step and explains how to make a warm sleeping system so that you will not make the same mistakes he did earlier as a young man.
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Hello my name is Lonnie and My wife is Connie.
Here at Far North Bushcraft And Survival you will learn about many long forgotten tricks and tips of the old time woodsmen. Not only will you learn about bushcraft / woodcraft but you will learn many things that will help you to survive in less than ideal "survival" situations as well. Come along and sit with me by the campfire as I delve into these subjects in a way that you can easily learn to then do yourself.
I will show you how to make shelters, gather food, use wild medicines as well as start fires without matches, lighters, ferro rods, etc

[@ARMOROID5000]

I really like this fellow. My grandfather was a real cowboy long ago. He would show us bush craft. This fellow reminded me alot of him and his gentle soft spoken way.

[@patlowney2834]

We have great memories of our grandpa as a kid I remember my grandpa making Rabbits head out of handkerchief. I was about 5 or 6 years old when he did that. Now I'm on Social Security it's been a long time ago.

[@1959jimbob]

Thank you for this detailed description and demonstration of how to make a "cowboy bedroll." I saw this method 50 years ago in a Boy Scout Handbook and have searched high and low trying to find how it is done. Finally, 5 decades later and I come across your channel....Thank you so very much.

[@hopefulskeptic42]

Couldn't say it better.

[@julianwaugh968]

When I was homeless I found milk crates to keep me off the ground by making a platform . One night I woke up with ice blocks for feet and I needed to pee. I peed into a milk jug and used it as a hot water bottle, worked great. You have to be able to extricate yourself pretty quick though. Do not use trash bags as they hold moisture in and eventually the condensation freezes and you get wet .

[@jamesbowen5573]

Trash bags, correct. But they can be used like a tarp cover. To block wind and rain. Just put a pebble in the corner and tie around it for ridgeline... duct tape helps too. I one time taped a couple of cut bags together, and used a mylar blanket on the inside as a shelter tarp just to see if it would work. Duct tape the corners, and it won't rip if you make an eye hook. I rather tape a looped cord inside. To use for that. As junkie as it looked it was warm in cold. And flip it mylar out and it was cool in heat. It'll last a few weeks. The sun ruins the plastic sacks fairly quick. But it is so much cheaper than the ones you buy.

[@geoffpriestley7001]

I've woke up with ice on my hat . I'm in the uk we went camping walked to the local pub it was full of dogs and people so had to eat outside -5c . Then went to bed dont know what temperature it was but it was the best nights sleep i had in a long time . Some people can't sleep if they're warm I'm one of them but the wife needs to be warm other wise she stops up all night telling me how cold she is and can i close the windows

[@angelus_solus]

A 10 x 10 16 oz tarpaulin (18 oz after waterproof treatment) weighs 13 lbs. The average wool blanket weighs 4 lbs. This is a fantastic idea for sleeping, and eliminates the necessity of a conventional shelter...until you can erect a better setup. Edit: And it seems I made this exact same comment eight months ago. I didn't see it, or I'd have not bothered commenting again.

[@raymondussery6765]

I've used a reasonably light sleeping bag...(30 degrees F.) With a good oil tarp and air mattress on the ground out in the open and woke up to 2 feet of fresh snow on top...it was -10 and I was COMFORTABLE !! My Dad taught me to sleep this way 70 years ago...his Dad taught him...Grandpa was born in 1867 and this manner of sleeping and covering up WORKS! Listen to this man!!🤗😎

[@squirrelhillfarm9070]

Raymond Ussery done this myself -it does work

[@pete614]

Yep. It works.

[@jamesbowen5573]

I believe you. Those oldtimers had to know their stuff. Another thing you can do if you don't have a ground cushion it is Pine branches or Dead Leaves. Anything to give you that insulation.

[@garyleelookadoojr4182]

Probably the most honest video regarding this type of sleep system I've seen...thank you for sharing your knowledge and skills with us.

[@donnievance1942]

Good thing cowboys have mule teams to carry all this bull$h!t. It's almost as good as a 4 pound sleeping bag.

[@jacobusopperman3797]

This still one of the most useful videos on KZbin 😊

[@JohnKlopp]

The diagonal trick for the blanket is appreciated. Reminds me of how we swaddled our kids when they were babies.

[@philip48230]

John Klopp basically a sleeping bag. Old guys are going to have a real problem with bladderissues

[@cjw2661]

I thought the exact same thing. Said to myself " Oh,.a baby swaddle, thats easy. ! " lol

[@michalurbanful]

@@philip48230 Not only old guys. A few beers before bedtime and ... eh ... :D

[@dave-d-grunt]

Hahaha. That’s what was going thru my mind

[@roscoep.coltraine6344]

@@philip48230 Put an MT Gatorade bottle inside with ya when getting in then you don't have to get out of bed and it'll warm you up even more.

[@foghornleghorn4173]

Bushcraft in in it's most rawest form

[@FrancisFenderson]

"I froze." I had a good chuckle at that. Thanks for yet another informative video.

[@wrightstuf73sw]

Thanks for showing me how to do that Mate. In 2 years when I hit 50, I'm going what us Australians call "Going bush" and live off the grid

[@barrybrum]

I like your wrap idea. I was camping 8000 feet above Atemajac de Brizuela, Mexico last month, didn't bother setting up a tent, and around 2am with the winds howling up the mountain, I realized my NorthFace Cat's Meow mummy bag, rated at 22 degrees F, was not sufficient. I was cold, the fire was about out and I didn't want to get up and stoke it again. I had one wool medium blanket with me as a back up, so I laid it out, placed my mummy bag on the edge of it, climbed in the bag, grabbed the edge of the wool blanket next to me and rolled myself and the mummy bag up in the wool blanket like a hand rolled cigarette... or what ever else you like to hand roll. I was warm and all was well till I had to go pee at around 5am. Had to inch worm myself out of the top of the blanket and bag. My Euro Boxer pup climbed in the bag while I was busy taking care of business, and feeling sorry for my faithful buddy, I let him stay put,and stoked up the fire and started a pot of coffee. Wool blankets may not be enough used alone, but they supplement nicely, if you know how to roll one. Brum

[@yourbarista4154]

Brumfield I enjoyed your story

[@Gadmeer]

That's because north face is made in China garbage lol get a proper sleeping bag if camping. My sleeping bag is rated for -22 Celsius and I've been warm within it at -30 Celsius.

[@yourbarista4154]

get bent what brand is yours? How heavy is it?

[@robertl.fallin7062]

@ brumfield, dogs and wool blankeys! Funny story but yea, totally believable.

[@duanewilliams7353]

If you'd carry along a 1oz. Mylar blanket, if it got 20 degrees colder, wouldn't matter! It reflects 80% of your body heat back to you!!!

[@philanthropchic2238]

How they don't have you doing voice overs is beyond me! You are a gem Lonnie!

[@nathanadrian7797]

Thomas Early started a weaving apprenticeship in 1669, he inherited the company in 1711/12(the start of the Early Whitney blanket company) The Hudsons Bay Company partners did their first trading in about 1663 and where incorporated in 1670, well before 1711. Great bedroll by the way!

[@shackman9566]

Hi Lonny thank you again. This video has made me laugh, I can never get through a night without having to pee. I know if I had no other choice but to employ this method I would. But I much prefer a good mummy bag. Plus I never sleep in clothing and I don't sleep in any one position all night. I have spent many months at a time sleeping in a tent with one of three mummy bags depending on the season I always put my clothing in a large contractor bag and order it so that my polyester fleece is the first layer I can put on in the morning while I sit up in the sleeping bag and even my jacket or parka can be accessed before I start with my lower half. It works great and I have camped this way down to minus 20 and possibly lower. I use a 1. 5 " thick themarest and it has served me well with out ever needing repair. If the I need camp in much lower temps adding a good blanket over the bag does the trick. I have camped with little to no gear and built shelters and I do practice bush craft skills. But as a former boy scout I find it hard to escape my tendencies to always be prepared. I love the out doors but like to enjoy a little comfort. It's fun to listen to a pounding winter storm while enjoying the shelter of well employed gear.

[@AdaptorDieChannel]

You and your wife seem like some GREAT folks! I hope and pray for as many years of learning, fun, and growing together as you guys have had! God bless and keep up the great work!

[@southronjr1570]

I've made similar bed rolls but put my air mattress inside my bed roll, I have done it with both wool blankets and sleeping bags. I vividly recall my first cold weather camping trip where I was the one responsible for my own sleeping arrangements. I was 11 years old and it was my first campout with Scouts. I brought 2 cold weather sleeping bags, 2 comforters and 3 wool blankets. I was sure I'd be nice and warm in the predicted freezing temperatures. Well it was finally time to go to bed and I was in a tent by myself, I unrolled all the blankets and sleeping bags and crawled in underneath them with just 1 wool blanket between me and the tent floor. I froze my butt off and didn't sleep at all. I kept getting up to go back by the fire and get warm, I kept it going all night because I couldn't stay warm in the tent and couldn't figure out why. The next morning I asked my scoutmaster, who I had assured I knew what I was doing when it came to sleeping outdoors, why I froze all night. It was at this point when I discovered that when camping you need just as much insulation below you as you do above. I swallowed a good sized helping of crow and asked him to show me how to not freeze. He went in my tent and showed me how to set up my blankets and suggested I put 2 of the comforters fold beneath me. The next night I did and had to pull several layers off of me during the night, I even overslept and was the last one to get out of bed.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Yes. Insulation from underneath is a very important but often overlooked key bit of info for sleeping warm in cold locations.

[@rmf9567]

That was the best bed roll video ever

[@angelus_solus]

I love this system too and it's kept me dry even in a rain storm. I had a good bough bed under me and kept me off of the wet ground. A 10 × 10 waterproof 16 oz canvas tarp weighs 13 lbs and wool blankets weigh about 4.5 lb each, so If a person builds up their leg strength and their stamina, there's not much reason why they can't pack this. Of course, having a large enough pack with an efficient suspension system and balancing their load makes a major difference too. I have this exact thing strapped to a 16 × 32 inch poplar Alaska pack board, with A.L.I.C.E. straps and kidney pad, and even with 20 lbs worth of gear for a one-week trip it's not that bad. Gross weight is 46 lbs, tare weight is 4 lbs. Of course, the tarp has everything folded inside of it.

[@duanewilliams7353]

If you'd add a Mylar blanket, weighs about two ounces, reflects 80% of your body heat back, is really warm!!

[@moorshound3243]

Well said

[@charlesknight3204]

Lonnie ... This is an oldie but goodie!!! I love the old bedroll and the cowboy ways. Thank you!!! Great video!!! Chuck.Knight. 🤠👍

[@miller12z]

Anyone else craving a Burrito? great video thanks.

[@petewerner1494]

By the time you've done all the tugging and rapping of the blanket and tarp,,,,, you'd be tired enough to instantly fall asleep.

[@ballinglikechoji6558]

*warning!: empty your bladder before ya do this haha**

[@unknownguy3229]

oh no just piss in the roll it will warm ya fast lol

[@terryfinley7760]

Yeah and don’t drink anything for 2 hours before bedtime!

[@BryanSarauer]

I was thinking with my tiny bladder going to the bathroom once or twice in the night might be a pain in the rear.

[@EidolonSpecus]

@@unknownguy3229 Pissing actually makes you lose heat. The heat in that piss came from your body heat.

[@speedwayaudio3]

I can promise I'd have to pee about the time I was done folding that up.

[@nicholask7347]

Didn't even get past the intro before I subscribed. Between the channel name, subject matter and that voice, I an thinking I am going to learn a lot.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Welcome aboard!

[@Odderek]

That high camera angle was very nice, thanks man!

[@neilsdahlberg1323]

Love how your subjects are always thoroughly explained especially for novices...

[@jacobusopperman3797]

The first accurate info for a cowboy bedrol minus zippers and press studs. Thanx

[@msmegification]

Funny story, my son works for a major construction company near our town One Summer building and tearing down freeways and bridges. Often they would be out of town in the boonies and have to spend the night in the woods several nights in a row. One of the old guys that worked on the crew never brought anything but a plastic tarp, they would wrap himself up in and sleep on the ground in all night long every night. He said he grew up camping rough, that's the way his dad taught him and that's the way he did it. Slept like a baby. I can't even imagine but, more power to him for being a badass!

[@Safety0FF]

Hey there Lonnie and Connie! Please don't ever stop sharing your knowledge with us! I just love your videos. The way you do, the environment of videos, the explanation all just perfect. Thank you for all the effort and work you put in these lessons!

[@northernembersoutdoors1045]

It's so nice to watch a good decent educational video. I've been watching total rubbish lately. Free handouts or gadgets and 'reviews'. Miss the videos, great information here as always. I took a czech bed roll out camping in the early winter. I bought it from army surplus store. I froze to ha ha. As soon as you said that memories came back. It's like a bivi with a woollen blanket. Never again! You've left a void not yet replaced. All the best to you both.

[@11304800]

Lonnie, I've watched your videos for years.They are ALWAYS very well made and you are very clear in your explanations. You keep my attention.I was thinking--do you teach other things? You seem to be a natural at teaching. Thank you.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

No I do not teach other things such as in being a professional teacher. Glad you enjoy the videos and my style of presentation. I just try to teach in the same way that I would like someone else to teach me if I was learning the same subject.

[@winstonbrooks6254]

I cut a branch about 4' long, with a small short limb, that forms a hook, this helps pull everything in place. You keep it close to your body. Hope it helps, good luck.

[@garypeterson3628]

Perfect bear burrito. Hopefully you don't have to get up to pee. Thank you, great video. With out guys like you the old ways will be forgotten.

[@williamramsay346]

In the wild, use spruce boughs for ground insulation, and build a shelter, too. At the very least, this combo should be used in tandem with an overnight fire backed by a simple stick or dirt heat reflector

[@Asa-Sol]

You're the cool uncle I always wanted

[@jacobusopperman3797]

this video as well as ,as well as how to make a blanket roll sack

[@216vids8]

Your knowledge is priceless! I'd love to hear your story, how you became this involved into the bush!

[@SuperNeutrophil]

Thanks for this Lonnie. If I don’t make it through the night, at least I’m already gift wrapped for the next life

[@Paddington60]

I seem to remember that this method used to be taught in First Aid for wrapping a patient for transport on a stretcher. Partly for warmth and partly to keep them relatively still. Great video, thanks.

[@ericdube836]

Thank you sir for this trick you have shared here,i will never be cold sleeping anywhere ever again.

[@MajikalCowpoke]

Brother I’m bout to be on walkabout of my own volition and this video really helps me with my confidence of good survival. Hobos aren’t homeless we’re homeward bound.

[@dinomitegaming2193]

High Lonnie. I've been watching your videos for a while now and enjoy them a lot and find them helpful and informative. a few weeks ago due to unforeseeable events I was forced to sleep in below freezing temperature's. with just 2 light blankets in my single person tent I froze and could not get, or stay warm. After falling asleep I woke up a short time later shivering. shortly after, I remembered this video and tried it with my blankets and I actually slept throughout the night and was perfectly warm when I awoke. honestly I believe this video saved my life( or at the very least saved me from 3 cold miserable nights). please keep up the fantastic work and thank you so much for sharing this with us

[@nacholibre1962]

It works well. I've only used that blanket method with just the blanket, but I slept for three nights above the snow line in the forest last Christmas like that and it worked well. I did have a long fire and a lean-to shelter. I slept on a sleeping platform covered with pine boughs. It got a little chilly a couple of times, but I jut fed the fire and it was good again. I shall be getting a good sized piece of oil cloth to use on it next time to keep the sparks away and help to keep the warm air in/cold air out.

[@moorshound3243]

Man that sounds amazing. What did you have to eat on your trip?

[@pamelalagerquist1935]

Cooked over the fire

[@marchenland3576]

Better than a Springroll😉😄

[@miketownsend6108]

THANKS LONNIE and CONNIE AWESOME

I learned one night the hard way winter camping on Vancouver island a few years ago - it was a relatively warm evening for November and I was up on a rock face and laid my stuff down on rock. I had my fairly heavy wool blanket ( a bit thinner than yours) which I wrapped around me and had a piling of a sleeping bag under me and I chose a rock pad which had a lot of Moss growth I could lay on. Well I woke up a few hours after I fell asleep with obviously the cold from the rock entering my body and the indication I get is cramps (in my legs) and my heart was racing. I was not dehydrated (which usually causes cramps in me) so this was due to that transfer of cold energy. Essential video Lonny.

[@markh5889]

Thanks for another great video Lonnie!!

[@TM-zt4vx]

And in this video we have Lonnie turning himself into a burrito. You're awesome Lonnie. Thank you for all of your sweet knowledge pal.

[@kurtbaier6122]

Great vid as usual. Thanks for teaching real woodsman skills.

[@t.w.milburn8264]

'mornin, Lonnie, Connie & 'Ole-Friend Buck ; wonderfulole-school set-up Brother. All wrapped up & Toasty-Warm ! Don't get much Better'n That ! Thanks again for sharing this, Friend ! Happy Trails From Down East A Piece ATB Terry God Bless

[@dylanshaw8147]

I like the way this guy explains stuff. It reminds me a lot of my grandfather

[@peterdiebel7372]

Can u say wrap it like a Burrito. Thank you , for showing how to properly wrap your zelf in blankets& tarp for the best warmth. With a lil LOL) cheers from B. C. Canada

[@leroymontano9080]

I really like you and your channel ,i enjoy my mornings with you and coffee ,thank you for your such needed knowledge and kindness .awsome stuff ,this just calms me down .

[@jeriksson3431]

Great video. I've been having problems with both sleeping in a blanket and with my bow drill, and you've helped me with both. Thank you!

[@johnburgin7478]

And as soon as I finished doing all that I’d have to get up to pee 😂 . Thanks for sharing this . Have a great evening

[@jentrue]

Hi Lonnie and Connie! Hope you are well! As always great information!

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Yes we are well. Been busy out at our remote cabin as well as hot tent camping.

[@jentrue]

@@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival glad to hear. Sounds fun!

[@BananeHammond]

Thank you Lonnie zzzzzz

[@TreeCamper]

You so funny Lonnie. Seems effective but I've got the giggles watching you cocoon up and squirm about. I especially lost it when I was thinking about myself watching a tarp with voices coming from it.

[@davidharvey5672]

Very good video, thanks Lonnie. I had wool blankets as a child and when I moved over to modern duvets found I need that weight on me to get to sleep.

[@thebobcatinthewoods7440]

When I was in high school, I went for a week long trip to Yosemite park for a school related thing. We all stayed in wall tents and ate at the cafeteria etc., and everyone was given a pair of wool blankets. My tentmates and I decided to ditch the sleeping bags on the last couple nights and just use the wool "like the old days." They folded their blankets in half and used them like a sleeping bag, while I went with this method. That night, it got down below freezing and I was the only one who slept comfortably. I taught them how(along with a few others who were interested), and we all spent the next night toasty warm. Knowing these things can come in handy.

[@Toad_Hugger]

Oh! A caterpillar man!

[@petesakes1985]

Great video thanks pard !

[@Finley0312]

wool blanket and a 6x10 canvas cloth tarp does me just fine. I head over to Walmart and I grab the aerosol spray can of waterproofer and I spray the heck out of it and once dry its waterproof and thats pretty much my go to system.

[@davidvavra9113]

Thanks. Survival Russia sent me.

[@Far-North-Bushcraft-Survival]

Awesome. I also enjoy Survival Russia's channel.

[@mrwes100]

One of the best demonstrations on how to do it correctly. Thanks for sharing.

[@HikingFeral]

I have two Whitney blankets, vintage and 100 percent wool. They make them here in England and they are probably some Of the best blankets on the planet and have been making them for un known hundreds and hundreds of years

[@LorddOfChaoss]

Camping Styles have changed a lot. Imagine children from this day and age walking through the woods and stumbling upon a camper using only a canvas drop cloth and wool blanket such as this man. They would probably be convinced they stumbled upon a disposed of dead body, especially if the man was a heavy sleeper. That being said, that could end up being a good or a bad thing

[@penzancegunner857]

I'm exhausted watching this, need to have a quick nap!

[@6brettes]

great bedroll nice materials and lovely blanket nice setup sometimes i utilise the flysheet of my tent to do the same thing insides a s bag but this is far more traditional and i like it!! very simple but clever use of materials

[@livefreeordie1776]

I'd like to hang out with this dude for a week. This old school shit is life saving.

[@danielsolano1284]

When I’m that ripe ge I don’t want to look like the weird old people that wear teenage clothes with vans I want to be like this sir right here casual wear very relaxing and calm

[@wyattlacey1]

HUMAN BURRITO! - Thanks for the video! Very good instruction. Also, Careful! There is a long tailed bear on your 6.

[@roberthiorns7584]

Nice video, thanks Lonnie.

[@andrewtorell8459]

Good video reminds me of my bivy sack and ground sheet that it gos in gotta love a good mummy bag . Can get them from any surplus store . I love my canadian forces artic goose down bivy mummy sac. Keep up the good vids brother . Thanks for passing down these tips for the new generation .

[@sunkist3575]

The old rocky mtn trappers often had two blankets sewn together so when laid out it was a double length. They pulled one up over the other and when they tucked in, as you showed, they had many layers covering them. A young man's bladder got him through the night. Us old guys-not so much☺

[@craigwilcox6319]

Thanks for sharing, Lonnie - always appreciate your videos. Put twice as much under you as you have over you.

[@dnngskn62]

Great tips Lonnie.

[@lynnamandernacht2211]

A human burrito 🌯🤣 Thank you 👍👍

[@mikehoward8201]

Thanks, Lonnie! I watched this video over a year ago and just rewatched it to refresh my memory!

[@Waldhandwerk]

Awesome Video and very cool camera angles! Thanks Lonnie.

[@outdoors-university]

Great information! Thank you Lonnie! Stay safe and keep having fun!

[@xProjectKaos]

We need more videos more often haha! Good job.

[@Bushcraftnbaseball]

Very nice. Thanks for the information Lonnie.

[@TrikeRoadPoet]

simple camp bedding rig, nice!

[@cmanofthewoodscentralus3217]

Great video Lonnie with good information. Thanks.

[@ourtechwriter]

I appreciate your wisdom! Thank you.

[@Grizz270]

lol you looked like a papoose all bundled up . i stitched up a painters drop cloth into a sleeping bag for camping with . i rake up leaves or pine needles or hay and stuff my drop cloth bag to turn it into a matress . works great for hunting camp

[@stevemyers5303]

I really like this setup cant wait to try it

[@rascalwind]

Such good instruction. Makes a lot of sense.

[@chaselong2954]

Cowboy burrito! I usually pack a poncho and liner when hiking. A military wool blanket if I can afford the weight. And yes you end up cold without added shelter such as pine boughs or grasses

[@leescott2599]

Thanks for the response lonnie. Good explination makes sense. really enjoy your videos.keep up the good work.thanks again lee.

[@saraskold9631]

thanks for this video it was great to see how before sleeping bags were around

[@MorganBW53]

Thanks, enjoyed the bit of knowledge you shared.

[@christ-centeredwoodsman6446]

Very helpful info Lonnie! I really enjoy your videos. Thank you.God bless!

[@danelobe2524]

Awesome video. Thxs 4 sharing!!!

[@gerhardsteinhofer]

Great video! Thanks!

[@suemcfarlane4199]

In Australia we call them swags as in the once a jolly swag man

[@roningamin1391]

Yet another great well put together video Lonnie. the canvas tarp is a solid idea. water proof too. thanks Lonnie

[@drcsep]

Outstanding informative video Lonnie

[@steveshooter9010]

Always great information and well presented!