Minnesota Frozen Butt Hang - January 7-9, 2011.
This is a "trial balloon" to see if there is interest in a mid-winter "Frozen Butts" hang in Minnesota. I'm looking at a calendar and thinking the weekend of January 7-9, 2011 would work for me.
This would probably be "up north" in Minnesota, though NOT NECESSARILY on the Superior Hiking Trail. In the interest of encouraging participation from all without getting into gear checks or experience, I envision a shortish (3-5 mile) walk-in to a hang site. There will likely be snow (think snowshoes) and seriously cold temperatures. Lows could be sub-zero (F.)
The actual hang site selection would depend partly on who wants to go and how many there are. I'm willing to do some research to line up a site. If there are "out-of-towners" whose travel would dictate an overnight spot in the Twin Cities on their way to-and-fro, I have floor space aplenty.
So, this is a very early trial balloon to test interest. If you want to try your gear in winter conditions...or acquire (make or buy) winter gear to extend your hammock kit inventory...get cracking! Clear the calendar!
Safety Disclaimer: In serious cold weather, you can experience risk of injury or extreme discomfort if you aren't prepared for it. You should NOT contemplate coming along unless you've tested your gear in similar conditions whether in a backyard or a local park. This is not the time to inaugurate stuff you've never used!
Winter Sleep System Notes
Not to cause thread drift but I want to add the idea that this would not be a good trip to hammock at these temps for the first time. 3-5 miles can be 3-5 hours, or more, if snow hits....
Some winter sleep system notes:
The insulation of a quilt or sleeping bag is primarily related to its thickness [loft].
US Army Quartermaster insulation table
temp ... sleeping ....... light work ..... heavy work
40F .........1.5" ................. .8"................. .20"
20F .........2.0" .............. 1.0" ................. .27"
. 0F .........2.5" .............. 1.3" ................. .35"
-20F ....... 3.0" .............. 1.6" .................. .40"
-40F ....... 3.5" .............. 1.9" .................. .48"
-60F ....... 4.0" .............. 2.1" .................. .52"
Remember, in a hammock, you need this above you and below under you.
These values probably assume no loss of heat due to convection (wind). So a tight tarp set-up is required too. Winter tarp doors and snow walls along low set edges.
You also have to block all the other avenues for heat loss. So if your bag{or quilt} doesn't have a draft collar, you might want to use a fleece or down jacket as one, by draping it around your shoulders. A balaclava or turtleneck sweater minimize heat loss at your neck.
Some total (top+bottom) lofts from real sleeping bags, unfortunately I don't have the top/bottom splits, but these are even more conservative than the table above.
20F ... 5"
.. 0F ... 6"
-20F ... 9"
-40F .. 12"
Different people have different metabolisms so they may require rather different amounts of insulation for the same temps.
If a 3-5 mile hike is pushing your limits, an adequate sleep system in your backyard might not be so adequate anymore. How tired were you?
What you ate is also important (fats at dinnertime keep you warm in the wee hours...). Eating a snack before hitting the sack can help, too. Did you have a good dinner in you?
Preheating your body before getting in the hammock by doing jumping jacks helps. We all know the water bottle thing but I would add that placing it beneath your legs warms the blood going to your feet and seems like it helps.
I would also suggest bring a ccf pad and a self inflating pad so you can go to ground if you have too.
With the snow, 2 pads, and tree boughs under you [remember this is an emergency] you can add the UQ to the TQ, ideally doubling up the loft.
Sorry for the drift....