Having spent more than a few nights outdoors without a tent, albeit unintentionally, I can relate to the Occupy Wall Street protesters in New York's Zucotti Park and other cities across the land who are now finding themselves out in the elements, thanks to more rigorous law enforcement.

Though my shelterless misadventures have for the most part taken place in mountains and forests instead of urban parks, and had less to do with making a political statement than with my navigationally challenged tendencies, the end result was the same: I was stuck outside all night without a roof or tent over my head.

Few experiences are more wretchedly depressing than realizing for any number of reasons – an overly ambitious itinerary, a turned ankle, or simply taking a wrong turn –you are far from camp with no tent, and darkness has set in. On two such occasions torrential rain compounded my misery.

Yet I survived.

As I often remark, there's no such thing as bad weather — only inappropriate clothing, and that holds true whether you're in downtown Manhattan or on top of Mount Washington.

Another favorite saying: Cotton kills. So first off, protesters should ditch their blue jeans and hoodies and don polypropylene and Gore-Tex. You can't beat a waterproof poncho or parka for staying warm and dry.

Though police in some cities are now banning tents in protest areas, a bivvy sack serves nicely and rolls up to about the size of a football. I spent a night in a blizzard in a bivvy sack and actually managed to get some sleep. Good ones tend to be pricy, so a cheap alternative is a plastic or nylon tarp, which folds up to about the size of a handkerchief.

An inflatable mattress, which deflates to an unobtrusive size that can be stuffed under a jacket away from enforcement officers' prying eyes, will make a night on the ground much more bearable.

Police probably frown on cutting trees and shrubs in city parks, but if you happen to come upon any fallen branches they can serve as the framework for a makeshift lean-to. I never go on any camping trip without my Swedish folding saw, which weighs less than a pound, collapses into a unit half the size of a yardstick, takes seconds to assemble and can easily cut limbs six inches thick.

If you're a really dedicated protester and wind up occupying into the winter months, you can build a quinzee, or snow cave. Last winter two friends and I built one near Mount Adams in New Hampshire's White Mountains and spent a comfortable night. The down side: You'll need shovels and a few feet of snow.

Chemical hand-warmers (as well as foot-warmers and body-warmers), which provide heat for up to 10 hours, are also invaluable when the temperature dips below freezing.

Whenever I make a foray into New York or Boston, unless I'm going to a show I pack pretty much the same I do when I'm heading for the hills, especially since I enjoy walking and would rather stroll from South Station to the Common, Penn Station to Broadway, or even from Harlem to the Battery, than take a taxi or ride the subway or T. I wear hiking boots and carry a daypack filled with a water bottle, snacks and dry clothes to change into in case it rains.

Speaking of changing clothes, a garbage bag with a hole cut out for your head can offer a degree of privacy for modest OWS protesters. You can also use this with a container to answer nature's call. Just make sure you don't confuse it with your water bottle afterwards.

Headlamps with fresh batteries should be mandatory on any overnight protester's equipment list. Nylon line comes in handy for hanging your belongings at night. You can also use it to drape a tarp over to keep out rain.

Don't forget to pack a roll of duct tape for quick repairs to clothing or gear.

Depending on how aggressive you plan to protest, you might also consider packing ski or swim goggles in case police use tear gas or pepper spray.

I'm told that a mixture of liquid antacid and water works well as an eyewash when squirted from a plastic bottle. Whatever you do, don't try to pick up a tear gas canister that has just been fired; it will be red-hot.

Finally, when all else fails, heed the words of the immortal Dylan, in "Subterranean Homesick Blues":

"Look out kid, don't matter what you did

Walk on your tiptoes, don't try No-Doz

Better stay away from those that carry around a fire hose

Keep a clean nose, watch the plain clothes

You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows."