Hiking the AT with JRB Quilts

[fallkniven]

I'm heading South on the A.T. in July. I'm bringing my JRB BMB Hammock and the Mt. Wash. 4. I figure the MW4 would suffice for the length of the trip, but I'm not sure what to expect (temp. range wise) with the top quilt. I'm debating amongst JRB's top quilts. Would just one of their TQ's be adequate for the length on the trail? Heading South, your hiking into winter months, but at the same time your moving into warmer climate. I also was thinking about my Wiggy's Flexible Temperature Range Sleep System (FTRSS) http://wiggys.com/category.cfm?category=6 . It's 2 sleeping bags, one's for warmer weather, the second is for colder weather. Then when it gets real bitter out, you can zip them together, creating one warm-*** bag. I was conteplating carrying 2 TQ's to mimick the same thing. The added weight wouldn't be the issue, but if it's realistic carrying a UQ & 2 TQ's. Anyone here hike SOBO with JRB's quilts? Or a hammock and quilts of similar nature?

[kayak karl]

i was south in august and used my 40 degree jrb stealth. by sept at some point you will need 20 degree (used my go-lit 20 quilt)

[dakotaross]

Since quilts are much more "ventable", if you were going to need to 20 degree anyway, wouldn't it make sense to go with that the entire trip?

[fallkniven]

Since quilts are much more "ventable", if you were going to need to 20 degree anyway, wouldn't it make sense to go with that the entire trip?

That's what I'm getting at. I only just switched to a hammock this past fall, and winter here this year was fall weather, never getting cold so I haven't been able to try it out. Are the quilts really that ventable? Can you use the High Sierra Sniveller the whole trip, just opening it up in cooler weather?

[Big Papi]

if it was me, i would just use a 20 set and vent if needed. if it gets bitter cold, wear all your clothes to bed.

[Black Wolf]

I've pushed the JRB below 20*F with the addition of a S2S bag liner .. and wearing down leggings and a down jacket .. I'm an advocate of layering my sleep system as well as my clothing system .. You can also bounce box a 20* and 40* ..

[fallkniven]

I do have a Superfly that gives me great coverage. I just don't want to be shipping quilts back and forth. Also, what if it's warm so I have the lighter tq, but ended up on higher elevation, where it's much colder. So the 20* should be sufficient for the length of the sobo trip?

[fallkniven]

What about the 0* High Sierra Sniveller? Would that be comfortable in warmer weather? Say it's 40*-50*, would just wearing your boxers and opening up the quilt work, that way I could have that heavy quilt for when it's really needed? I could even leave the UQ in my pack that night if it's too warm no?

[Black Wolf]

my experience has shown that a warm U/Q is more beneficial then a warm T/Q .. it's easier to keep warm with less on top then less on the bottom .. YMMV ..

[kayak karl]

i thing we meant 40 as your low. you will see 85 nites also. the first half you could do with 40 and drop to 0 later on. you say you don't want A mail drop. are you leaving Me with winter clothing also?
i only sleep in boxers even at o degrees.
what is you pack weight?

[fallkniven]

It's not the mail drop that I don't want, it's that I don't want to be caught in the cold with a 40* TQ. I'm leaving Maine in July which would be warm, until I start climbing, where there is still snow on the ground. So I guess the 20* SS would be better, bundle up in the cold, and strip down when it's warm.....

[sunshower]

I have hiked a lot in the Whites and MA and even in the Summer if it's raining/windy it can get pretty cold- 35-45 at night.

[RichardD]

My experience last Summer was that my 32 degree Nest did not add significantly to how hot I felt in my hammock on warm to hot Summer nights.
I used a Mt Washington 4 from Springer to Pearisburg and Hanover to Katahdin, Nest the rest of the way.
My experience is that too much under insulation does not seem to add to discomfort on hot nights so I would think the zero underquilt should work for the entire hike.

[RichardD]

I just reread the OP and see its a question on top quilts not underquilts so my last post is off subject.
I would carry the top quilt that keeps you warm in the lowest expected temperature for your hike.
I used a 20 deg WM bag from Springer to Pearisburg and Hanover to Katahdin and with my MW4 I was always warm at night.
I used a Hammock Specialties 32 deg top quilt the rest of the way, most of the time it was by my feet and pulled over me in the early hours of the morning.