Snake Skins and packing underquilts

**JoeHiker** · 10-25-2007, 11:58

This past weekend I was hiking the long trail with my HH UL BP Asym and a JRB Old Rag Mtn underquilt. It would have been very nice to be able to have some Snake Skins large enough to cover both instead of packing the quilt separately.

Whenever temps are warm enough for my Nest quilt, I can pack those in the Snake Skins #4 no problem. But Hennessey doesn't make a Snake Skin big enough to hold the ORM and hammock and despite my suggestion to them that they create Snake Skins #5, I am not holding my breath waiting for it to happen.

So what do you all do with your winter-weight quilts? Do you pack them separately? Do you make your own Snake Skins? Is there some alternative somewhere?

My problem is I have no sewing machine, no sewing skills and not enough time or energy to go through all the trial and error required to make my own.

**Cannibal** · 10-25-2007, 12:14

Originally Posted by JoeHiker

So what do you all do with your winter-weight quilts? Do you pack them separately? Do you make your own Snake Skins? Is there some alternative somewhere?

That's a silly question on this site.

No skills, no time, no energy; no problem. I hear bribes work on people with said skills, time, and energy. Find someone that needs something you have; the barter system still works.

**headchange4u** · 10-25-2007, 14:05

Snake skins are probably one of the easiest sewing projects out there and great for starters. A lot of people who need the larger skins make them.

**Take-a-knee** · 10-25-2007, 14:08

Black Bishop sack, just poke a small hole in a silnylon stuffsack and leave it on the foot rope. I can't see why anyone would bother with snake skins for a hammock with an attached underquilt.

**FanaticFringer** · 10-25-2007, 16:09

IMO too much compression is going on when you put the underquilt in a tight pair of skins. I just put mine in the JRB stuff sack and cover with a trash bag in my pack.

**hangnout** · 10-25-2007, 17:00

Snake skins are probably one of the easiest sewing projects out there and great for starters. A lot of people who need the larger skins make them.

He's right they are one of the easiest things to make.

http://www.jacksrbetter.com/index_files/DIY.htm

The JRB website has DIY instructions for python skins on the link above.

**stoikurt** · 10-25-2007, 18:18

A black bishop sack was mentioned. Since you don't have skills you could buy a stuff sack of appropriate size and make a BB Sack out of it.

**wallace** · 10-26-2007, 08:11

After cutting a hole in a stuff sack to make the BB bag, do you need to sew the edges or other wise seal them?

**angrysparrow** · 10-26-2007, 08:14

Originally Posted by wallace

After cutting a hole in a stuff sack to make the BB bag, do you need to sew the edges or other wise seal them?

Instead of cutting the hole, you could melt it. That should seal the edges while making the hole. I've heard of it being done with something like a heated nail, but I've never actually done that. Just an idea.

**stoikurt** · 10-26-2007, 08:16

All you would need to do is burn a tiny hole in the end of the bag to run your suspension rope or cord through. If you have an HH with stock suspension just run the rope thru it. If you've modified to rings or buckles you'll have to untie one end so you can put the bag between the hammock and the rings or buckle with the smaller cord going thru the bag. No change on the draw string side of the bag.