Porch mode in winter

**bobbycobbler** · 12-03-2015, 11:31

Doing our first real winter multi day hike here in January either in north Ga or NC. I understand that wind robs your underquilt warmth and you can controll this by how your tarp is pitched. I also see many complaints of condensation/frost from being too enclosed. My question i guess is that if i'm using an underquilt protector, and the winds aren't terrible, than is there really any problem with rolling with the porch set up. Worse case scenario, your dropping down one side in the middle of the night. Your thoughts.

**Shug** · 12-03-2015, 11:59

I have several times.......based on the breeze at sack time. If windy, drop the tarp and side. The beauty of tarp life.
Shug

**Bubba** · 12-03-2015, 16:46

What Shug said.

**OneClick** · 12-03-2015, 19:54

I would say I do it 75% of the time in the winter. I'm big into AIR FLOW!

Besides, the view is much better! The nice thing about a tarp with doors like the Superfly is you can still get a decent break from the wind on each side.

**Indybeast** · 12-03-2015, 22:01

Wow! -19, that's cooooold buddy. I did 23 the other night and had it buttoned down tight. It was windy, but warm. With little to no wind I would be in porch mode.

Beast

**hangNyak** · 12-06-2015, 10:39

Originally Posted by markr6

I would say I do it 75% of the time in the winter. I'm big into AIR FLOW!

Besides, the view is much better! The nice thing about a tarp with doors like the Superfly is you can still get a decent break from the wind on each side.

Gotta love the Superfly!!

**cougarmeat** · 12-10-2015, 00:55

The addition of a sock helps. If you use a WB Ridge Runner, you can get the sock modified to have a zipper door on each side. This allows you to orient the head end anyway you want and get out on either side. An addition request is to put some d-rings at the ends of the sock on the inside. That way you can keep the sock on (and open a bit, and still use the bug net - attached to the interior d-rings.

**Sunndog** · 12-10-2015, 09:08

Ii always pitch in porch mode as much as possible......you'll know when its time to drop one or both sides down

**dakotaross** · 12-10-2015, 10:21

Yep, one of the best things about hanging is the view while you're in the hammock - thus, porch mode most of the time. I'm happy to have my "other" doors when needed, but I rarely do need them if I'm protected well on 3 sides. I only bring my undercover when I bring my minimal diamond tarp.

**OutandBack** · 12-10-2015, 15:39

On many winter nights I don't use a tarp at all even to block wind. I prefer a covered hammock and UQP. Tarps in the wind make a lot of noise and they are always pushing up against you.

When I do use a tarp it is always in some kind of porch mode. Doesn't make for the best pictures but functional.

hth