Backyard report: two quilts and an attempted assault: 38 F

**FreeTheWeasel** · 10-25-2007, 13:52

Greetings,

I recently completed my first Red River Gorge quilt. It was designed with 3" baffles and stuffed with a little over 16 oz of 800 fill down. Aside from some cosmetic issues, it came out exceptionally well. I'm really pleased, especially since my extensive sewing experience comprised a total of exactly two stuff sacks. I'll post pictures later on another thread.

I couldn't wait to try it out and last night I did, hanging at Weasel Camp (my backyard). I used my 3" quilt underneath, my 2" No Sniveller as a top quilt and I was dressed in my standard lightweight REI thermal underwear, smartwool socks, and nylon watch cap. This is roughly what I wore in previous tests except for the last time in which I used a fleece balaclava.

As always, I started off too warm and gradually pulled the top quilt on as I cooled. Unlike previous tests, I felt no heat loss through the bottom which isn't much of a surprise. Toward morning, I did have a few moments in which i woke, thought to myself that it was a bit chilly, rolled over and went back to sleep. I'm not sure I was cold so much as I recognized that it was cold outside. At one point I realized that my nose was cold (it sticks out kinda far), I rolled, and went back to sleep. I recorded a minimum air temperature of 38 F. Here is an indication of my general level of discomfort: I overslept big time and was seriously late for work.

I must be a cold sleeper. I would have expected to be roasting the entire night. I have no doubt that I can go much colder by wearing a few more layers at night and I had them in the hammock with me in case. Still, all my troubles with the supershelter may be more related to my physiology than the equipment.

The best part of the experiment was the morning. I came into the house through the basement to use the toilet and realized that the front door and garage door were open. This piqued my curiosity and then I saw my wife and daughter, wearing winter coats, run around the house to the backyard carrying a broom and a Teddy bear. So, I went to the dining room door to watch them sneak up on my hammock, duck under the tarp, bang on the hammock, and then emerge confused. Then I started banging on the glass door and waving. In all the laughter, I forgot to lock the front door so they couldn't get back in. Next time.

It is only going to get colder and you can guess where I'll be in the nights to come.

FreeTheWeasel

**Take-a-knee** · 10-25-2007, 14:01

Weasel, congrats on completing your UQ, I look forward to the photos. I'm guessing your might have been losing a lot of heat from your head with just a watch cap. If I used a top quilt instead of Wallcreeper/Rock Wren I'd buy on of those polarguard balaclavas that Backpacking Light sells.

**Cannibal** · 10-25-2007, 14:17

Originally Posted by FreeTheWeasel

The best part of the experiment was the morning. I came into the house through the basement to use the toilet and realized that the front door and garage door were open. This piqued my curiosity and then I saw my wife and daughter, wearing winter coats, run around the house to the backyard carrying a broom and a Teddy bear. So, I went to the dining room door to watch them sneak up on my hammock, duck under the tarp, bang on the hammock, and then emerge confused. Then I started banging on the glass door and waving. In all the laughter, I forgot to lock the front door so they couldn't get back in. Next time.

That is funny!

Nice report and I gotta agree with Take-a-knee, my money says with some form of insulated headwear you probably wouldn't have even noticed the cold. Amazing how much heat is released thru the head. Especially when you've got a hairline like mine; glaciers move slower.

**Rapt** · 10-25-2007, 14:23

Sounds like FUN to me!!!!

Wish I slept out last night... Still no UQ to keep me warm, but yours sounds toasty.

Another thing you can try is sleeping in a hoodie. Especially a fleece one. (I won't wear a balaclava because I hate how they feel on my face. So I wear hoods of various sorts.)

**nogods** · 10-25-2007, 21:44

walmart has 100% polyester hooded pullover sweatshirts for $15 - I bought one for me and my son - we used them in the Adirondacks last weekend - very warm.

**mataharihiker** · 10-28-2007, 07:42

Originally Posted by FreeTheWeasel

At one point I realized that my nose was cold (it sticks out kinda far),

might I humbly suggest you make the very attractive nose cozy as I did?

**Just Jeff** · 10-28-2007, 21:36

Congrats on a successful hang!!

You lose a lot of heat from your face and neck, too - that's why I got the neofleece facemask. I can't really sleep with something covering my face, but the Serius facemasks don't cover the nostrils and have little holes over the mouth so I don't get the suffocating feeling.

But I must admit that it's nowhere near as cool as the nose cozy. You should get a patent on that thing...

**FreeTheWeasel** · 10-29-2007, 07:55

Originally Posted by mataharihiker

might I humbly suggest you make the very attractive nose cozy as I did?

I was thinking of using my red clown bulb nose, but I like your solution better. Lower profile but not necessarily any less conspicuous

Does that have holes for breathing? I'm not sure it would make a difference in my case since my nose is really only good for announcing my arrival several minutes before the rest of me. It doesn't work well as a snorkel.

I've tried commercial neoprene ski masks before with little luck because they just don't fit. Despite my (hopefully) good natured jesting, I just may have to build one.

Thanks.

FreeTheWeasel