Condensation management techniques?

[LeviJ4]

I own a Hennessy Expedition and I have used it a few times in 50 - 90(Ugh!) degree weather and it has always performed very well. This past weekend a buddy of mine received his Clark Jungle Hammock and wanted to test it so he brought it over to my house since I have 30ish tall trees in my average sized back yard. It was a great time getting setup, and testing his new toy out.

Now to my topic - This past Saturday I slept very comfortably in the mid thirties, and I am guessing it probably did dip below freezing but I can't be sure. I never noticed any condensation at all until the morning when I felt the mosquito net above my head when I reached for my flashlight. The net itself was damp, but not soaked. Are there any techniques I could use to limit condensation in the Hennessy, or any other sleep system (my buddy said his net/weathershield was very wet)? I have searched around the forums and I did not find anything I thought was a solution to this issue, so I thought I would address it in the Hennessy section.

My gear, if it is helpful:
HH Expedition - Stock fly tied with sharp angles to be more wind resistant

Colemon Convoluted Sleeping Pad from Academy
http://www.academy.com/index.php?pag...236-00660-8922

0 Degree Sleeping bag from walmart

A pillow from inside, since I was home and all...after a few minutes I used this against my back as I slept on my side. Very nice

[KerMegan]

stop breathing?
(JOKE!)
Alas, since the body dampens every exhalation there isn't much you can do- previous suggestions were fleece cover for mouth/nose area, stays warm and catches a great deal of moisture(downside; damp layer on your face while sleeping) or using the PSolar mask(?)
not much help, but it's all I got at the moment. KM

[lori]

One of the reasons I love a good underquilt.

Where were you camped? Going to bet there was a lot of water around. I've not had noticeable condensation anywhere, with one exception, and it was one of those river valleys where you were surrounded by bogs, meadows, and water. Site selection and general vicinity will have something to do with it - my main destinations are in the Sierras, which tend to be drier than many other locations despite being full of lakes and streams.

[LeviJ4]

One of the reasons I love a good underquilt.

Where were you camped? Going to bet there was a lot of water around. I've not had noticeable condensation anywhere, with one exception, and it was one of those river valleys where you were surrounded by bogs, meadows, and water. Site selection and general vicinity will have something to do with it - my main destinations are in the Sierras, which tend to be drier than many other locations despite being full of lakes and streams.

There was a creek 200 ft. away, and we were above an inch or two of snow. So basically if we want to camp in the near freezing sub freezing temps we are going to have condensation? I thought there would be ways around this. If I do this again, I may pull my balaclava down over my mouth to try and trap it. I wonder what the ice climbers do to keep their bivouacs dry.

[LeviJ4]

stop breathing?
(JOKE!)
Alas, since the body dampens every exhalation there isn't much you can do- previous suggestions were fleece cover for mouth/nose area, stays warm and catches a great deal of moisture(downside; damp layer on your face while sleeping) or using the PSolar mask(?)
not much help, but it's all I got at the moment. KM

Thanks, I may try to cover my mouth to see exactly what happens.

[Bleemus]

I wonder what the ice climbers do to keep their bivouacs dry.

They shake the ice out in the morning.

[lori]

Here is an article on factors involved in condensation.

Backpackinglight gets very technical about these things. Since it's a site devoted to light backpacking, it talks a lot about tarps, which is relevant to you and me as we sleep under one. Just not on the ground.