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  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Tucson, Arizona
    Hammock
    DIY gathered end
    Tarp
    DIY ray way kit
    Insulation
    JRB TQ / Te Wa UQ
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    Whoopee + straps
    Posts
    167

    Cold first night out

    Sewed up my first hammock (double layer, gathered end) earlier this week, and have been testing it in the garage, sleeping in it happily at 60-65 degrees. This weekend was the first night out in the great outdoors.

    My son and I hiked to the top of a peak near Tucson. 7200 feet and plenty of trees.
    Temperatures at night dropped to about 45 degrees, almost no wind.

    On top I had my trusty JRB High Sierra Sniveler quilt, which has been part of my ultralight backpacking setup for a couple of years. Between layers went a 39x59 by 1/4 inch "thinlight" pad I bought from Gossamer Gear for hammock use. Quickly it was clear that that pad was not sufficient for the conditions (though I think the quilt is fine). I would have shivered all night - so I got up and pulled the pad out, folded it in half so it was 29x59 and now 1/2 inch thick. This was definitely better, but cold along the edges. I could sleep, but was not snug and happy (and had to take care to lay in just the right place).

    I tend to sleep cold. I don't want to carry a bunch of gear backpacking (I have bought into the ultralight thing heavily, and love it). So I am pondering what to carry on the next trip. As soon as it is clear that there is no turning back, I expect to invest in an under quilt, but for now what I am thinking is that I will need to take two pads. The already mentioned 1/4 inch pad along with a torso length thermarest I have. I will spread out the 1/4 in pad fully to get insulation on the edges and put the thermarest dead center under me where most of my weight presses down, so both pads will insulate me there (I have tested this in the garage and it is not lumpy and weird). A real cold weather test will come later this week or next weekend.

    But you veterans may have wise advice! ....

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Tucson, Arizona
    Hammock
    DIY gathered end
    Tarp
    DIY ray way kit
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    JRB TQ / Te Wa UQ
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    Posts
    167

    The rig in action

    Suspended between a pine and an oak on an Arizona mountaintop.
    My son demonstrating just before we finished packing up this morning.

    kimball.jpg

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Eagle River, WI
    Hammock
    Jacks-R-better bridge
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    200
    Get a piece of Reflectix. You can buy it at your local building supply store, or you can buy a couple of windshield reflectors and cut them up. Make sure you add wings where your shoulders hit the pad so the Reflectix wraps around your shoulders. You can tape the Reflectix together with duct tape.This, combined with either of your pads will help greatly, however, it is no substitute for a good under quilt.

    Pee before bed, drink some water, preferably a hot cup of tea or chocolate, and wear long underwear and a sweater or coat on top, along with a hat.

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Tucson, Arizona
    Hammock
    DIY gathered end
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    167

    Reflectrix, eh?

    I'll look into the reflectrix, as long as it isn't too bulky to add to the pack.

    I am with you on the clothes, was wearing thermal pants, a fleece hoodie (and hat),
    and a down vest -- but it is all about heat loss from below, particularly at pressure
    spots. Not something I have had to deal with ground sleeping with a decent pad.

    At some point I will be asking for recomendations for underquilts.

  5. #5
    New Member ewmccraw's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Roanoke, VA
    Hammock
    Hennessy Explorer Deluxe Zip
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    Hennessy Hex Tarp
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    AHE New River UQ
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    Whoopies!
    Posts
    3
    You can get a 30* New River UQ from Arrowhead Equip. for about $155.00. Well worth the money. I have one and love it. It took me down to 27* comfortably.

  6. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Midwest
    Posts
    2,423
    Great reviews out of all the gear makers here, can't go wrong with whatever down quilt you buy though I've only ever dealt with hammock gear.

    The reflectix is the way to go and is remarkably warm. Downside is bulk. I roll mine pretty night and strap it to my pack. So light, I dont' feel it.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Fish's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
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    WB Blackbird 1.1 dbl
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    WB Mamajamba
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    202
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    4
    I know the Nalgene bottles don't typically qualify for the UL crowd, but I hear that keeping one with boiling water in it will work wonders to keep you warm at night.

    Hope that helps!
    Coffee?

  8. #8
    fishbait's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Jamesburg, NJ
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    DIY by Raiffnuke
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    2,668
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    8
    I picked up a Emergency Reflective Blanket for winter camping. Works great and packs small. Price is right too.

    "Any night in a hammock, is a good night."

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  9. #9
    Senior Member jhunt87's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Runnemede, NJ
    Hammock
    WBBB DBL 1.7 / HH ULBA / GT Nano 7
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    Another thing to consider is unless you are shorter than me (and I'm pretty short) a 59" pad is not much to work with to insulate your entire body.

    I imagine that left your feet hanging off the pad and pretty cold as well.

    YMMV but I imagine adding a torso length thermarest would still leave your feet lacking insulation.

    If you are trying to do more testing without buying an UQ, I would get a cheap full length CCF pad and supplement with the GG pad under your torso.
    _______________________________________________
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  10. #10
    Senior Member gcy24's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Moose, Wyoming
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    DH Darien, DIY, ENO
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    195
    What does CCF stand for? I'm in the same boat here, trying to find the right pad combo for moderate temps. I have a military issue pad, not sure the thickness but I know it's not a lot of insulation for ground sleeping...
    Grant

    Getting lost is not a waste of time.

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