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  1. #1
    Member ame's Avatar
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    Planning a test hang in freezing weather

    Hi,

    I am hoping someone will talk me out of this, but I'm going to have to try one time. Next week I am going to an education centre in the mountains. I will be working during the day, but I want to use my hammock overnight. I will be permitted to camp in the grounds of the centre, which is essentially surrounded by pine forests. There is some snow on the ground, and some snow is forecast. Temperatures are around -12°C (10°F) overnight here in the town, and may be colder in the hills.

    I have a Claytor hammock, an Exped 7 DLX DownMat and a MontBell UL SS#2 down sleeping bag. The sleeping bag is 'comfort rated' to -4°C (25°F). It is 'survival rated' to a lower temperature. I shall be wearing merino long johns, long-sleeved top and watchcap, and woollen socks. I will probably carry a water bottle filled with hot water.

    I am unlikely to want to camp in such a low temperature 'for real', but I am curious as to whether it is possible with the gear I have.

    If it gets too cold I can skulk back into the main building, but my main concern is if I am likely to fail to detect hypothermia and be unable to wake up in the morning. What are the chances of that? Do humans tend to wake up feeling cold and then be able to do something about it before succumbing to hypothermia?

    Comments and advice are welcome.

    Thank you,

    A

  2. #2
    Senior Member Bradley's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ame View Post
    Hi,

    I am hoping someone will talk me out of this, . . . but my main concern is if I am likely to fail to detect hypothermia and be unable to wake up in the morning. What are the chances of that? Do humans tend to wake up feeling cold and then be able to do something about it before succumbing to hypothermia?
    Comments and advice are welcome.
    Thank you,
    A
    You'll be just fine if you work the numbers
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    Bradley SaintJohn
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  3. #3
    Senior Member Dudorino's Avatar
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    I was tested my winter gear on 12/26 and it got down to 10 degrees.

    I think you're going to be a bit cold with that setup. I recommend a winter rated under quilt for starters and some additional top covering too. A 25 degree sleeping bag may only be good down to about 35 in a hammock. At ~10 degrees, you should consider a top cover like a burrito oven and a tarp to keep any wind/breeze away. You'll also want some really warm mittens or gloves and a face mask. Oh, and something to keep your feet warm.

    Hope that helps.
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  4. #4
    Senior Member Joey's Avatar
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    Suggestion: as you are close to a building... you may be able to carry/add a nice wool blanket, or something to that effect, to add an additional top layer.

    I'm unsure about the down mat. If you don't have access to an underquilt, maybe a second mat for extra insulation may help. At least to have on standby to toss in if needed.

    As for hypothermia...you'll shiver and be miserable first. If you get that cold, just go inside and make note of how well your set up did, and think on what could be done to improve it. Don't just lay there cold! It's great that you have an option to get warm when testing this out. Best way to do it, IMO!

  5. #5
    Senior Member Bradley's Avatar
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    The down bag will compress . . . so if that is all you have . . .

    the rating will be lost.

    Put it into a second bag if you can . . . and it will help loads.

    Sleeping on down does not work.

    Synth bags are best for in hammocks. IMO

    Bradley SaintJohn
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    and Curing Ground-In-somnia.

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  6. #6
    Senior Member tbone's Avatar
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    You could use the search function and possibly consider the Garlinton Taco, doesn`t seem to get mentioned much with all the quilts now out there but it seems like it would be a cheap quick easy fix.

  7. #7
    Senior Member jeremesh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bradley View Post
    The down bag will compress . . . so if that is all you have . . .

    the rating will be lost.

    Put it into a second bag if you can . . . and it will help loads.

    Sleeping on down does not work.

    Synth bags are best for in hammocks. IMO

    Sleeping on down works if you have something else under you to provide the bottom insulation. In this case his Exped down mat. Sleeping on this down works because it is tucked away inside the inflatable mat so doesnt get compressed. I think with the exped and the the bag you will get chilly at 10 degrees. Wear extra layers and use the hot water bottle. You have your bailout plan if necessary.

  8. #8
    Member ame's Avatar
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    Hi,

    Thanks for the pointers so far. It sounds like I won't die*, but I might be cold. Since I am unlikely to die* then I will try it. With a thermometer I will be able to know what temperature is uncomfortable/not possible, then I can try again in February or March when it is a little warmer.

    I understand about the down of the sleeping bag becoming compressed beneath me and becoming useless. The Exped DownMat is an inflatable mat filled with down. It does not compress much when you lie on it, and the down inside insulates. It is intended for sleeping on top of snow or ice or freezing ground. This would be my first test of the DownMat.

    A

    * 'on that night', not 'in general'.

  9. #9
    Senior Member Bradley's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jeremesh View Post
    Sleeping on down works if you have something else under you to provide the bottom insulation. .
    COOL
    Quote Originally Posted by ame View Post
    Hi,
    The Exped DownMat is an inflatable mat filled with down. It does not compress much when you lie on it, and the down inside insulates. It is intended for sleeping on top of snow or ice or freezing ground. .
    COOL
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    and Curing Ground-In-somnia.

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  10. #10
    Member ame's Avatar
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    Hi all,

    I am heading out tomorrow (Monday) but last night it was -16°C here (about 3°F) so I might die after all.

    I will take all my gear, but it might be too cold to try.

    A

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