Great list of tips! I particularly liked #8 - simple and effective.
I've seen UQ protectors before, and #20 on this list made me reconsider them.
Can anyone who uses one comment on the usefulness / tradeoffs of using an UQ protector?
Great list of tips! I particularly liked #8 - simple and effective.
I've seen UQ protectors before, and #20 on this list made me reconsider them.
Can anyone who uses one comment on the usefulness / tradeoffs of using an UQ protector?
Thanks for your very thorough and helpful list.
As a fellow Charlottean, I also saw Florence first-hand and all the debris that rained down from the trees. Frankly, wind scares me a lot more than rain!
Most of my "UQP" use has been with the sil-nylon under cover that is part of the HH Super Shelter. It is not quite apples to apples comparing it to an UQP, but there are many similarities. The HH UC has extra function in that it's elastics keep the HH pad snug against my back without squeezing tightly enough to compress the open cell foam pad.
Also- I don't now how this compares with other UQPs, but it comes up well over the sides of the hammock thus providing some protection for the TQ as well, and can be rotated(if not using the side pull outs) high enough on one side(most likely the windward side) to contact- or be within an inch or so- of the tarp, supplying huge wind block on that side. If wind shifts, it can be rotated the other way. This provides huge extra protection IMO.
But, bottom line, it is an UQP. I find it invaluable for protection from splash up, wind chill and wind blown rain and snow. I find it more effective than using a larger tarp. After 12 years of on and off use, it remains one of my favorite pieces of gear. I'm sure I would also be fond of an UQP with my various UQs or Pea Pods, though I have never really done so. But I have been in an UQ under a large tarp when the wind shifted, and found myself wishing for an UQP. I have also had splash up get my UQ shell wet, under an 11X10 rectangular tarp. This would never hppen if using an UQP.
Of course a negative is more weight, bulk and cost, unless it is already part of your system like with the HHSS. But I would happily make up for some of that with a smaller tarp if the extra everything bugged me too much.
If it’s under 50*, I don’t even think about it anymore, the UQP is going in my pack. The only exception is if I know it will be dry and calm and I’m counting every gram due to high/fast miles.
Otherwise, it’s usefulness as n extra windbreaker is invaluable to me and the extra couple of ounces (I think mine is 3) are still low enough that for a weekend my pack is still pretty light. With the UQP, I feel more confident should I keep my tarp on porch mode and a rain shower should pop up during the night. As long as the wind doesn’t pick up, I don’t worry about any stray drops or splashes.
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I've been in some tremendous downpours and even with mild splashing, I'd rather have my UQP get dirty and wet than my UQ. Mine packs down to the size of my fist and it weights almost nothing.
It's also useful if there's wind because it will stop that from getting to your UQ and robbing you of warmth.
I love that quote!!!
Not only do I think about grabbing the wrong stakes or line, but the amount of line. With less line and the figure-9s I use, I can slide them all the way down about to the stake, so there's no line going back towards the tarp (at the max distance) other than a few inches to get it tight and into the hardware.
If the CRL is below the tarp does that mean the tarp is resting on the CRL?
In addition to dripping water as noted by the OP, it seems like it would also wear the tarp
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