I'd like to preface this by saying that I am a relative newbie at winter camping, having done a little 30 years ago in scouts, and once on the ground (snow) with my wife which was pretty miserable. Part of the reason I've avoided cold weather is because I am a cold sleeper. I decided this year that I am tired of having to wait until spring to get outside, so I started acquiring new gear. Just got the final piece of gear I needed for cold weather this week--a GoLite 0 degree bag, and temps last night were predicted for 22 degrees, clear, with no wind. Perfect night for testing!
I set up in 26 degree weather wearing my JRB down sleeves, down vest, and snow pants with only a light base layer underneath, powerstretch balaclava with wool beanie, and homemade wrist warmers. I was very comfortable the whole time.
I hung my hammock with my new Te-wa Winter Coat underneath, my bag on top with my feet/legs on a blue pad. No tarp as the weather was so nice. I used a poly-fill pillow for my head and used the vest under my knees. Inside the bag I only wore the light synthetic base layer, wool socks, balaclava, beanie, and wrist warmers, and drifted warmly off to sleep. The only issue was getting the UQ positioned just right--I think my shoulders are too wide for this quilt, but I'm still playing with it.
I woke up around midnight sweating, and had to figure out the best way to vent without freezing part of me. It was 21 degrees. Got it worked out and went back to sleep.
Woke up again around 3:30 feeling sick-ish (stomach), and spent some time inside the house (I'll spare the details). Got back in the hammock with the temps at 19 degrees. My feet were freezing, so I put the down sleeves over my feet. I cinched down the bag a bit more, and tried to go back to sleep. Between feeling bad, the cold feet, and trying to keep the UQ adjusted, I slept poorly for the next 3 hours. I just could not seem to get warmed back up. When I did finally get up at 6:30 because my feet were just starting to get numbish, the thermometer was reading 16 degrees!
I thought that was pretty good, considering there were some things I could have done to amp up the warmth a bit--things I would have had close to hand if I were actually camping--but I was concerned mostly about my feet. Maybe an extra pair of socks/clothing or a vapor barrier/space blanket? I probably should have used a tarp--things were pretty much covered in frost--and that would have helped, I'm sure. I'm also thinking about a DriDucks poncho UQ/over cover, but I've spent quite a lot so far. I'm also thinking that the illness was partly to blame, as my feet weren't too bad before that.
Any thoughts or ideas about this? Am I approaching this with the right plan? I'm hoping to make it to Mt. Rodgers if my schedule permits, but I'm thinking this may not be much of a safety margin...
Bookmarks