Hot Weather Question

**FLRider** · 06-29-2012, 12:29

I'm actually headed out to the Foothills Trail to thru-hike it this coming Sunday to Tuesday (though we may extend that to Wednesday if I find I can't keep the pace needed), and I'm leaving my underquilt at home. It's looking like forecasted mid-70s for the nightly lows, which means that I can get away with shoving my pack under my torso if I need extra bottom insulation (I assume that the forecast is up to 10 F off). Note, though, that I use a synthetic top quilt (which retains some insulative value tucked under my shoulders and hips compared to a down quilt) and am a very hot sleeper.

If worse comes to absolute worst (say, it drops to 55 F and rains), I can take my poncho and suspend it underneath as a makeshift underquilt with forest duff shoved into it and then lay on top of my space blanket in the hammock to prevent evaporative heat loss in that direction.

Anyway, I think that--as long as temperatures stay above 65 F--you'll be fine just shoving your pack under your torso if you sleep warm. If not, 70 is probably the cutoff.

YMMV, though.

**Doc B** · 06-30-2012, 16:02

The southeast is humid as you know. I would take a cotton sheet as an "over quilt" to wick away the perspiration. This time of year a sheet is all most need providing you have synthetic clothing to wear if you should get cold and wet. If you have access to a coolmax sheet, that is REALLY the way to go in the humid south in summertime.

Cheers,
Doc

**toygun** · 06-30-2012, 17:33

**pumkinpete** · 06-30-2012, 18:57

i use poncho under quilt,plus top quilt in the warm weather, works for me.

**scryan** · 06-30-2012, 20:10

If it is really hot, you will be fine.
If it cools of at night, you will want something.

I findt that even by mid 60s Ill definitely want something. Low 70s is even enough to notice the cooling effect you get from the hammock, though its tollerable.

I recently made the PL underquilt, and it was awesome though the 50 something night. A tiny bit heavier then the foam pad, but packs so much better and is much more comfortable. The no sew one is incredibly easy, no reason not to do it.