Hot 'n' cold

[FalseAesop]

In my early days of hammock camping during some hot summer nights... before I owned a bug net (or a hammock with a bug net built in).... the only issue I had was the mosquitoes.

Namely I was fine for the first three nights of a 4 night trip in just a sleeping bag with a hoodie with the hood drawn tight so just my nose, mouth, and hands were exposed. Easy to hit those with bug spray.

But the fourth night... I shuffled partially out of my sleeping bag that night... and my hoodie rode up... with naught but the thin ENO singlenest betwixt my back and the bugs they went to town.

The 7 hour drive back up the next day drove me nuts as the entire small of my back was covered in mosquito bites.

[GingivitisKahn]

Warm weather is, IMO, where hammocking really shines. I've spent several humid, disgusting, muggy Georgia nights out in a hammock, and I would have been drenched in sweat if I were in a tent. Suspended in the air, no bottom insulation, even the tiniest breeze makes a huge difference. Tents on a 80 degree Georgia night are pure misery.

Good to hear. :-D Hot, muggy tent nights are no fun.

[GingivitisKahn]

In my early days of hammock camping during some hot summer nights... before I owned a bug net (or a hammock with a bug net built in).... the only issue I had was the mosquitoes.

Namely I was fine for the first three nights of a 4 night trip in just a sleeping bag with a hoodie with the hood drawn tight so just my nose, mouth, and hands were exposed. Easy to hit those with bug spray.

But the fourth night... I shuffled partially out of my sleeping bag that night... and my hoodie rode up... with naught but the thin ENO singlenest betwixt my back and the bugs they went to town.

The 7 hour drive back up the next day drove me nuts as the entire small of my back was covered in mosquito bites.

That's what's got me a bit bugged (heh). I've got the ENO bug net and it seems to work ok but it also seems to *really* close the hammock up and it definitely holds some heat in.

[oldgringo]

That's what's got me a bit bugged (heh). I've got the ENO bug net and it seems to work ok but it also seems to *really* close the hammock up and it definitely holds some heat in.

Consider a Thermacell and treating your hammock with permithrin.

[GingivitisKahn]

Consider a Thermacell and treating your hammock with permithrin.

I know a number of hunters that swear by thermacells. Not a bad idea.

[sandykayak]

I'd never heard of Thermacell, so I googled.

Amazon has a green (original?) one for $20 + $5 S/H (rounded out) = $25

then a white Model 1200 (with 3 butane refills) for $25 and a few cents.
but since it's over $25, and eligible for free shipping...I got the white (prefer the green color, though!)

I'm going kayak river camping on the Wekiva River (north of Orlando) over Memorial Day weekend, and am looking forward to testing this product!

[GingivitisKahn]

I'd never heard of Thermacell, so I googled.

Amazon has a green (original?) one for $20 + $5 S/H (rounded out) = $25

then a white Model 1200 (with 3 butane refills) for $25 and a few cents.
but since it's over $25, and eligible for free shipping...I got the white (prefer the green color, though!)

I'm going kayak river camping on the Wekiva River (north of Orlando) over Memorial Day weekend, and am looking forward to testing this product!

And you'll be posting pics?

[WeekNDHiker]

Well take it from someone who spends every night in a hammock outside. Bug nets actually make your hammock slightly warmer. Hard to believe but it's true. They trap the warm humid air inside your hammock and practically negate any breeze. That's a good thing for winter but sheer misery in the hot, humid Alabama nights. The best advice I can give you is ditch the bug net and use Skin-so-soft. For mosquitoes you don't have to cover every square inch of exposed skin. As soon as they smell it they're gone. But for no-see-ums (black flies) you'll need to cover every square inch even under your clothes and the most private of privates! Trust me. They will find that one spot you didn't cover and bite the hell out of you juuuust as you're about to doze off. Little @#%$@%#!!!

If you sleep outside often enough you'll notice that the bugs tend to come and go. Meaning, one night the bugs may be out but the next few nights they're no where to be found. They're not always out. It depends on the rain total, predators, and probably several other variables.

One other tip is to wet a long sleeved wicking (polyester) shirt and then hang ring out the water. This will make a dramatic difference in the temperature you feel. Even the slightest breeze will make a huge difference. I would advise that you sleep on a fleece bivy so you don't get your hammock or sleeping bag wet. The fleece won't absorb your sweat or the water from your shirt and any surface moisture will dry quickly. Leave the bag open to the sun for an hour or so while your making breakfast to keep in funk free.

[Peter_pan]

You will find a good summary of warm weather tricks as well as cold weather tricks in the following article... http://www.jacksrbetter.com/Nesting%...Old%20Coot.htm

Enjoy!

Pan

[NCPatrick]

Thanks Pan, I was looking for that one to post too, but couldn't find it.