Happy Happy Camper Tonight
So right after I sent the last update the receptionist called and said I had a package. I made it down to her desk before she could finish signing the delivery guys book.:laugh: So I bring it to my desk where my fellow co-workers looked on as I opened it wondering what the heck I was so excited about. At first they looked at me like I was high to be so excited to get a blanket but once they felt it and realized how light and fluffy it was they seemed to start eying it up like hungry wolves. Mind you they still have no clue what its for outside of knowing it is some warm camping blanket, or something or other, I have been talking about for a week.
First Impression: FREAKIN SWEET
Second First Impression: SWEEEEEEEEEEET
Third First Impression: Yeaaaaaaaaa Me!
Honestly this thing is perfect. I even like the green on it which I thought was going to be to bright. I had intended to hang it with the black facing out but now I am thinking differently. The women I work with was the most interested as she sews a bunch and understands the quality and how cheap it was knowing what material, time invested and down coasts. I explained about the mesh baffles and she thought that was a "Super" idea knowing that down needs circulation to loft to its fullest potential. She is the one that gave me lessons on sewing 101. Which I have mastered to about 1.:cool:
So I will post my experience after I get her setup tonight and get me some cool weather sleeping done in my kit.
Last Nights Hang with my new JRB Hudson River
Ok so I got home and started to fiddle with the UQ right away. Found out that as everyone says they are a bit difficult to hang and get right to start with but after a slight adjustment here and a little tweek here I was able to get what I thought was a perfect fit. Wasn't tired yet so I figured I could just see what the best top blanket, and combo of sleeping cloths I should wear. I'd say it got down to about 32*F and with a TQ I made out of an old lightweight sleeping bag, fleece pants and shirt, polypropylene long johns and t-shirt and wool cap and socks, I slept OK with a little bit of cool, not cold spots here and there. I needed to put on a fleece jacket later that night and found that my head cinch area was hanging way to low. I cinched it up some and tightened my suspension a few inches. Not sure if it slipped or I needed it tighter to begin with and just didn't notice it. That did it, pulled the sides in tighter around my shoulders and made the cool spot right under my shoulders and mid back get toasty. I slept untill about 8 o'clock without even flinching. Got up let the dog out (Or "IN" not sure which in the case of sleeping outside)and went back to loafing for another few minutes. Gonna try it again tonight without the Fleece jacket again and see what happens. I think I may have to adjust my sag because I seem to get a cool spot under my but. I think i am just compressing the loft to much and feeling the cold there more.So if I tighten my hang a little Imay be able to lift myself a half inch more and that should do it. All in all I love this thing. Nothing I hacked into existence as a DIY'er could come close to the way this preformed. I am sure with more experience in using it I will find out how to dial it in just the way me likes. Sleeping without a pad is worth the cash alone.....so comfy without a pad. I am sure I would be able to hit these temp with my DIY SPE but the comfort is without a doubt worth the extra few ounces and the fact I don't have to keep track of and find a place for four wings in my pack is also a huge plus to me. I use my pad as my pack suspension and also as my foot mat for getting in and out of my rack, putting on shoes and as a big sit mat so it will always come with me in case I ever need to GTG.
Thanks again Jacks for being excellent at what you do.
