Hanging in Boundary waters July need a underquilt??

[eightweight]

days are to be average in the 70's night could get as low as 40's but estimate 50 , do I need an underquilt? I will be using a Clark NX250 for the trip and a sea to summit mat insulated to R5 its one of the new ones . should I bring a light down sleeping bag?
Will this be enough??
Thanks in advance
Bill

[pgibson]

Most folks feel they need under insulation at any temps below 70°F. Convective cooling...aka air flow will pull any heat you generate away with the lightest bit of air moment...even just you swaying in the hammock will cool you down. The same is true on top side but not as bad. Also keep in mind that your pad's rating is based off of you on the ground not in the air. Some folks are good with a pad, most of us hate them. Test your gear close to home where you can bail should things go south on your comfort or sleep.

[Floridahanger]

Shug and Wandering Fool were just there this past week and they had their quilts.

Next month? If the temps are usually what you state, the answer is yes, use the quilts for the expected temps. Hypothermia is nothing to sneeze at and if your sweaty from the hike and didn't bring your quilts, it's going to be a rough night. Even in the tropics, you can get Hypothermia from storms and the resulting cold from wet skin.

[Rex Clifton]

The NX250 and a pad should do fine with a light top Quilt. The mornings will be chilly and damp, however. One thing I like to do is camp on the west side of the lake, this way you get the morning sun on your hammock.

[Dux]

Hypothermia is nothing to sneeze at and if your sweaty from the hike and didn't bring your quilts, it's going to be a rough night. Even in the tropics, you can get Hypothermia from storms and the resulting cold from wet skin.

Little known fact is more people have issues with hypothermia between 40-50F. When snow and frost are on the ground, we are expecting it. In those temps most of us aren't.

Anecdote:
Sunny day in the upper 60sF, hiking in a new area with only cotton t-shirt and shorts, water bottle, pocket knife and car keys. Clouds are forming. Ignored them. Clouds are getting darker and it is getting a lil cooler. Ignored it. Cold front rolls in, cold heavy rain begins, temp drops into the 40s. Realize I am many miles from the vehicle in heavy brush with no trails other than game trails. Realize that having a rain coat, map and compass would have been a good idea. Thought about hunkering down under a fallen tree or such but remembered almost dying from hypothermia several times before thus was driven to make it back to the vehicle at all costs. By the time I got back to the vehicle was shivering so bad I couldn't walk in a straight line nor get the key in the door. Clamped the key in one hand, clamped that hand to my thigh with the other hand, leaned against the door and scratched the heck out of that door trying to get the key in. Took forever. The uncontrollable shivering was so violent I bent the key, almost snapping it in two.

Began the hike hot and sweating. Ended it cold and miserable.

A rain coat or even a large garbage bag would have made this an uneventful hike. I wonder, if I had not been able to get that door open and the vehicle started, would I be typing this right now?

My rules these days? Always bring a lil extra water, warmth and rain protection.


Anyhow, I have done multi day canoe trips in the BWCA a couple times. Loved it! You will too.

[LuvmyBonnet]

40* quilt sound fine for that trip. 40* down sleeping won't cut it because you are laying on the down, compressing it. That takes away all loft and insulating qualities.

[goetzc]

I've experienced some upper 30s to low 40s in July and August in the bwca with only a poncho liner under me and synthetic top quilt in my Clark. However I always(even in the summer) use sleepwear(merino hoody, pants and socks). The weather shield makes a big difference for me.

[Canoefor2]

Since you are canoeing the added weight of the UQ is not enough to leave home. If needed it allows the trip to be great versus not having it and a bad one.

[Shug]

I'd bring a UQ or pad. You will want something up there..
Have a fine trip.
Shug

[obxh2o]

Yes. You'll be glad you have it if/when you need it.