Last night was supposed to get down to 24 so I figured it was a perfect opportunity to test out my new 3 Season Crowsnest in preparation for the Dec NJ/PA hang and the Jersey winter hang.
Unfortunately I didn't think to get pics of my setup before I took it down. I used my GT Ultralight hammock with the 3S Crowsnest (900fp) and my JRB Sierra Sniveler for a TQ. Under my feet I use a Thermarest Lite Seat in the footbox of the quilt. No tarp (I haven't figured out how to rig one on my patio yet). For clothes, I had on warm-up pants, a wool t-shirt, and long-sleeved fleece. I also had a hat, scarf and thick wool socks.
Weather report says low of 24°, but my thermometer recorded a low of 19° for the night (a second other thermometer that caps out at 20 also read 20°). Verdict was mixed. I slept OK... not toasty warm or waking up sweating, but I suspect I need some tuning.
The good:
* Hot water bottle - added this about 5am after I got up for a bathroom break and slept like a rock until the neighbor's dog woke me up
* Crowsnest was easier to keep snugged up against the hammock at the ends, so less cold air gusts
* Feet got a little cold, but my legs were ok with the 3/4 UQ. I was worried about that and happy to see it doesn't seem to be a problem.
The bad:
* I ended up with a bunch of frost on the quilts - tarp would have helped a lot and possibly removed this problem altogether.
* persistent Cold Butt Syndrome - I noticed there was a sizable gap of air between the bottom of the hammock and the quilt, though the ends were snug to the hammock. It seemed like it was holding in some cold. I ended up tucking the scarf under me and that helped a lot.
* when I use the Lite Seat it likes to find the "ridge" of fabric under my legs and wedge itself, making the ridge very pronounced.
I managed down to 19-20° or so which is right near the temp rating on the 3S Crowsnest, but I think I could have been a lot warmer. The gap between hammock and quilt, and the leg ridge problem both could be from not having the sag on the hammock right. I don't have a ridgeline on the GT UL, and the hammock stand I have is low to the ground so makes it hard to get the sag right. My gut feeling is I can get this setup to go lower if it's rigged up right, but I need more practice. I may add a ridgeline this week and try again on Fri when it's supposed to hit 22°.
-Jay
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