Greetings,
I recently completed my first Red River Gorge quilt. It was designed with 3" baffles and stuffed with a little over 16 oz of 800 fill down. Aside from some cosmetic issues, it came out exceptionally well. I'm really pleased, especially since my extensive sewing experience comprised a total of exactly two stuff sacks. I'll post pictures later on another thread.
I couldn't wait to try it out and last night I did, hanging at Weasel Camp (my backyard). I used my 3" quilt underneath, my 2" No Sniveller as a top quilt and I was dressed in my standard lightweight REI thermal underwear, smartwool socks, and nylon watch cap. This is roughly what I wore in previous tests except for the last time in which I used a fleece balaclava.
As always, I started off too warm and gradually pulled the top quilt on as I cooled. Unlike previous tests, I felt no heat loss through the bottom which isn't much of a surprise. Toward morning, I did have a few moments in which i woke, thought to myself that it was a bit chilly, rolled over and went back to sleep. I'm not sure I was cold so much as I recognized that it was cold outside. At one point I realized that my nose was cold (it sticks out kinda far), I rolled, and went back to sleep. I recorded a minimum air temperature of 38 F. Here is an indication of my general level of discomfort: I overslept big time and was seriously late for work.
I must be a cold sleeper. I would have expected to be roasting the entire night. I have no doubt that I can go much colder by wearing a few more layers at night and I had them in the hammock with me in case. Still, all my troubles with the supershelter may be more related to my physiology than the equipment.
The best part of the experiment was the morning. I came into the house through the basement to use the toilet and realized that the front door and garage door were open. This piqued my curiosity and then I saw my wife and daughter, wearing winter coats, run around the house to the backyard carrying a broom and a Teddy bear. So, I went to the dining room door to watch them sneak up on my hammock, duck under the tarp, bang on the hammock, and then emerge confused. Then I started banging on the glass door and waving. In all the laughter, I forgot to lock the front door so they couldn't get back in. Next time.
It is only going to get colder and you can guess where I'll be in the nights to come.
FreeTheWeasel
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