AT: Underquilt & Sleeping Pad

[cmich]

Has anyone thru hiked the AT using only an underquilt and wished they would have brought along a sleeping pad? Considering adding a 9 oz neoair short to my pack for times when going to the ground is more appealing and for the smokies and whites. Might even cut it down shorter and save a few more ounces...

[Cannibal]

A small sit pad is pretty important, but I never once longed for a sleeping pad.

[lazy river road]

I have not thru hiked but when ever I go for multi day trips I always bring a 4 to 6 section Z-Rest which is used for insulating my feet, my pack frame and sit pad and when all else fails and I cant hang, my ground sleeping pad.

[scottpash]

I Did a 12 Day section Hike this year and I slept in a shelter just for the experience of it
I used my DIY insulbrite UQ as a pad and it was OK but no way near as comfortable as my Hammock

[Dos]

I thru hiked the AT this year.

In GA, I used an UQ and sock , although I had trouble using the sock. (I ditched that after several tries.)

After I got half way through NC, I sent my UQ home and used a Z lite.
this was a really great set up until I got into VT and NH.
The Z lite hung up on trees and rocks and it felt like I was being pushed from behind. NOT FUN!! -esp with those climbs.
So I switched to a Neo Air Trekker thru VT, NH and Maine.
It was the best set up ever, esp with a couple of downpours that I either had to take a break at a shelter or sleep in the shelter due to so much rain.
It was only a couple of times though.

you can get a better idea of my day to day happenings, if you are so inclined at:
www.trailjournals.com/twoisles

feel free to PM if you have any more questions.

[Cannibal]

or sleep in the shelter due to so much rain.

OK, you've got me curious.
How, or why, was there too much rain to sleep in your hammock? I get the lazy-factor for wanting a quick nap without setting up a tarp and using the shelter, but too much rain? I saw monster storms in 08, but can't remember a time there was too much rain to setup. In fact, the bigger the storm, the less desire to be anywhere near a shelter because they filled instantly. Never a better time on the AT to have a hammock.

[Dos]

There were 2 instances where when I got to the shelter for the evening, the second I stepped my foot IN the shelter just for a sit after a long day, there was a DELUGE.
Had I gone out and hung my hammock, I would have been drenched.

Having hiked in the Smokies with rain water up to my shins,
I now CHOOSE if I get wet or not.

Once I hung my hammock inside a shelter.
that was pretty cool as well.

I was in a "bubble" for much of the way, except on the Long Trail (which the weather was very nice for) so I did not have to worry about being inundated at the shelters. I don't fancy people much in these situations. Just enough to chat about the before or after climbs or what to expect as far as water or hitching rides.

[Miguel]

I thru hiked the AT this year.

In GA, I used an UQ and sock , although I had trouble using the sock. (I ditched that after several tries.)

After I got half way through NC, I sent my UQ home and used a Z lite.
this was a really great set up until I got into VT and NH.
The Z lite hung up on trees and rocks and it felt like I was being pushed from behind. NOT FUN!! -esp with those climbs.
So I switched to a Neo Air Trekker thru VT, NH and Maine.
It was the best set up ever, esp with a couple of downpours that I either had to take a break at a shelter or sleep in the shelter due to so much rain.
It was only a couple of times though.

you can get a better idea of my day to day happenings, if you are so inclined at:
www.trailjournals.com/twoisles

feel free to PM if you have any more questions.

Curious...did you find it necessary to use wings with your NeoAir? My upper arms and shoulders become cold without wings. I see people use pads/mattresses in their hammocks and they seem to be OK. Maybe they are side sleepers which would make a difference I suppose. I'm always flat on my back with my arms usually pressed up against the side of the hammock.

Thanks, Miguel

[Dos]

Curious...did you find it necessary to use wings with your NeoAir? My upper arms and shoulders become cold without wings. I see people use pads/mattresses in their hammocks and they seem to be OK. Maybe they are side sleepers which would make a difference I suppose. I'm always flat on my back with my arms usually pressed up against the side of the hammock.

Thanks, Miguel

Miguel-

I used a Neo Air, inflated it fully, then let a bit of air out so the mattress wasn't chock full. It did not slide near as much.
Also, being female, I am a little narrower than the Neo Air Trekker.
If I did roll on my sides, I would have to center myself on the mat. Not a big deal.

I know some people on the AT this year that had problems with their air tube.
But they also had first runs or versions of their models.
Mine was the second run and also not near as crinkly, sound-wise.

Dos

[OneThing]

I thru hiked the AT this year.

In GA, I used an UQ and sock , although I had trouble using the sock. (I ditched that after several tries.)

What was the main problem you had with the sock? I'm thinking about using one myself in 2014. Was yours a DIY? Also, what type of hammock did you use?

Thanks