So my last campout saw 8*F temps overnight. Normally, in cold temps I pitch my tarp low and toss a poncho liner over the top for an overcover to help boost my insulation. I also have a cheap but descent 0* sleeping bag as a TQ.
After a few hours of sleep, I woke up to my poncho liner raining on me because of the condensation build of from my breath. I tried venting it considerably, but it only got worse. So I just tossed it off completely. Then, my tarp started to build up some condensation but not nearly as bad. However, now my hammock material closest to my face started to build up some ice and the top of my sleeping bag essentially turned into a very thin layer of frost.
I tossed the bag over my face. I did not build up any condensation inside the bag and the rest of my setup maintained whatever it had already built up.
I've had this happen 1 other time and it was also when I dipped into the single digit temps (coincidentally at 8*F as well). I should note, I was near a river and roughly 50yds from a hotsprings so the moisture in the air was probably contributing as well. However, my fellow tent campers didn't have nearly as much condensations issues as I did.
So 1st question:
Obviously, I can't do the poncho liner in such cold temps because it's not breathing enough?! Which sucks because it really adds a nice boost normally. Possibly, it would be OK if I vented ALOT more to begin with? Would appreciate anyone's input on this. I know a lot of people use an insulated overcover so it's gotta be a common issue.
2nd question:
When you guys pitch the tent low and tight to trap in heat, how low and tight do you go? Mine was nearly (but not quite) touching the hammock top so, on it's own, acting much like an overcover. Do I need to pitch a bit higher for more venting?
3rd question:
This is my biggest concern. Luckily, I had a synthetic TQ so a little moisture on it was OK and it still managed to keep me warm. I currently have some 850fp down and am gearing up to start making a new TQ. I've seen some references to people using DWR layers on the top/bottom layer for various reasons. What's the standard here to protect the down from condensation build up on a TQ? It makes sense to have dwr on bottom to prevent sweat from rising into the down.
However, if I had the down TQ with this campout, it would have been real bad when I had so much frost/moisture on top. So, it also makes sense to have dwr on top to prevent moisture from 'dripping'/building up on top and getting into the down. However, I see having dwr on top and bottom as being bad for trapping moisture? Obviously, I'm a bit confused on what the best method should be and after this debacle, I'm really concerned about moisture buildup in the deep cold.
4th related question:
It was nice to be able to toss the bag over my head which helped me stay warmer and prevented the moisture build up from getting worse. If I have dwr material on the bottom of the TQ, will I be able to do the same? If not, what about sewing on a flap of say fleece or something that hangs off the top of the bag long enough to toss over the face? Might seem like a goofy question, but I often sleep with the bag over my face w/ a portion vented to allow for fresh air so it's a valid concern for me.
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