Improvise underquilts, please help...

[ricktreks]

Hello hangers,

I need to produce 7 inexpensive underquilts or equivalent hammock insulation in the next 30 days. I don't have the budget to buy state of the art UQs, and this is a one-time event, so probably I won't be using those very often in the future.

I have read some threads here on vapor barriers, insensible perspiration and so on, but honestly, I'm having a hard time concentrating on all the small details, so this is the idea I have, and I'd love it if some of you could offer your opinion and if possible a way to improve the idea:

I've thought about making 7 UQs out of tablecloth fabric, and fitting inside each of them a space blanket as the insulation/heat reflector material. I suspect I won't encounter temperatures lower than 60ºF.

So that's it in terms of my question. If you want to know the details of this predicament, read on:

Our company runs trekking expeditions in the tropics. In the steamy jungle environment, a hammock, a 2/3 pad and a tarp is all you really need.

However in about a month we have a group of 7 trekkers. Everything is working fine with the trip preparation, except that now the clients want to climb and camp up on a mountain that was previously not part of the trip. Originally we were going to camp at the base and then climb up a side ridge as a day hike to look for snakes, but now they're worried that climbing up and down on the same day is going to burn them out, so they now prefer to extend the trip and camp one night up on the mountain.

This poses a problem for us because the temperatures are going to be much lower up there (60ºF as opposed to 75ºF down at the base) and we don't have enough insulation for 7 hammocks aside from the foam pads they'll be using at the base. And like I said above, we don't have the budget or enough time to order 7 underquilts. So, this requires a creative approach.

The clients are bringing their own sleeping bags, and I've thought about just simply using full length pads, but I'm worried about the fact that they only protect the back, not the sides of the user. Also, these clients are not used to hammock camping, and perhaps you all can relate to how frustrating it is wrestling with a sleeping bag and a pad for the first time, especially if you need to get out in the middle of the night to pee. So, I'd prefer to spare them that frustration, and just go with the UQs.

If you folks have any ideas, or have experimented with the space blankets, let me know your thoughts.

Cheers,

R

[nuttysquirrel]

undercovers made from 2 yds. (8$) 1.1 ripstop 2nds and 5' reflectix (5$)

[anvil440]

You're already taking pads? Why not just use those?

[Rolloff]

Closed Cell Foam(CCF) alone, will easily get them below 60 degrees.

Sounds like you are looking for a one time piece of supplemental gear. Polycro could be your friend. Fragile, but easy to work with. Cheap, and practically disposable after a few trips. I still think the CCF would be the ticket for me. Especially if you already have it as part of your outfitter set up.

A more durable and probably better undercover is the No Sew PLUQ> Poncho Liner Under Quilt. That way the next time a client wanted to go up on the mountain, you'd be set, and cost is still minimal.

[ricktreks]

Thank you folks for your quick replies.
Yes, we already have torso length CCF pads, and we can get full length ones easily. But my concerns are:
1- that they don't wrap around the arms, and therefore, that sides might get cold. Unless you tell me that you never get cold on the sides of your arms when using a pad, and

2- they take several attempts/nights of twisting and turning inside the sleeping bag to find a comfortable position. With these clients we've had quite a discussion convincing them that hammocks are better than tents in the tropical jungle, and now we want their hammock set-ups to be as comfortable as possible, and eliminate all levels of difficulty, otherwise they could come back saying that they had rather sleep in tents up on that ridge.

I'll look into the Polycro today, the poncho liner is out our budget judging from the prices I found on Amazon.com. Thanks so much for the help everybody.

R

[inspectorguy]

Might help to know which hammocks you are using.

[dammfast]

You may want to check out Fleabay and look for a lot of liners I have seen lots of 10 to 15 of them go for under $100.

[IRONFISH45]

I scrounged a couple of mattress protectors, they were about a half an inch thick, water restive, from IKEA, $3.00 for the twin bed size $5.00 USD for the king size. I ran some grosgrain ribbon to make channels around the sides of the twin cover, I left openings and a flap on each end. Ran my elastic through the channels. I stitched some rip-stop nylon to the bottom of the mattress pad. I tested it out a couple of weeks ago, it worked great. I did not have a thermometer, however, we camped in the tree line, on the side of Mt. Hood, Oregon. Dry and cold when we set up camp, snow in the morning. My Mickey Mouse insulation worked great, it looked okay to the uninitiated. I did not have a moisture problem. However, I only used them for two nights in a row. Maybe a longer trip there would have been a problem with the material retaining moisture. Under $12.00 USD for all the supplies, I have 4 covers now. The nylon I added to the bottom was just to make it look nicer, it really was not needed except for looks, I probably could have dyed the mattress protector some sort of green or brown.

[gargoyle]

Pads at 60* should be fine. Since time and materials are tricky for you...


Supplement your single pad with a few extra strips of pad. By making 'wings' for your pad you'll get the side and arm coverage needed. Build a s.p.e. (segmented pad extender) A pillowcase, of sorts, for the pad and additional side/wing sections. Any light fabric can work.
Just Jeff's diy s.p.e. plans


Turning a full width pad 90* can work also. I took a standard ccf pad (24" x 72" iirc.) and cut it into two sections of 24 x 36. Place the sections to form a "T", wide section at the shoulders, narrow section for the remaining torso.

Double layer hammocks work best for pads.
Introducing hammocks to a new (paying) crowd..I would make sure your system performs flawlessly.

[OutandBack]

So you have talked them into trying hammocks for the first time.
And you want them to be comfortable.
And you want their repeat business.

IMO, wrestling with a pad is going to be a major turn off for first timer.

I would look into IX material (think the stuff computers, TV are wrapped in)
2 layers should be fine for 60F. Make a simple ripstop stuffsack 70"long by 45" wide.
Use 2 pieces of shockcord (U shaped) attached at the ends for the suspension.

Some may still freakout or get claustrophobic so have a backup plan to go to ground.

hth