New Hanger

[Anonymark]

I just posted over in the Intro Thread, thought I would say Hi here too.

I just bit the bullet on a Camo Superfly (The solid color was out of stock, but I really wanted camo anyway!) and a Blackbird 1.1 double.

After spending a cold wet day hiking out from a trip last week, I decided it was time to stop lurking and start hanging. I have back issues and metal arms (ok, not all metal, just a lot) from a bad car accident, so I'm looking forward to getting off the ground, staying dry, and having a nice Superfly porch to hang out in. My son is getting my lightweight tent, but I just have this feeling that he is going to get a blackbird too after he tries it out.

My one question. I'm going to do a pad first, probably as wide as I can find, where are some good (read cheap) places to get a wide, over 25" CCF pad? And does it need to be as long as me? I'm 6'00", 170, mostly shoulders....

[dragon360]

You may want to look into a SPE (Speer pad extender of some such) and see about constructing one or picking one up. It is built similar to a T or cross and many use the walmart ccf pads which are relatively cheap. Nice way to keep you warm.

[weaver2469]

I think Eno makes their own version of an SPE now. The Hot Spot? I think that is what it is called. If not, I found a waffle patterned 25" pad at Walmart, but not one near my house. I know only some Walmarts carry them, and they are not on the website.

[Anonymark]

Thanks! I'll take a look at walmart and maybe cobble together a DIY waffle pad SPE.... I mean it's not like hammocker's like to tinker, right?

[breyman]

Congrats on the new gear! The Superfly/BB combo is VERY tough to beat.

Cobbling them together - or using a pad extender - are good ways to go. The wide Gossamer Gear pad is also a really good choice:
http://gossamergear.com/sleeping/1-4-wide.html

Depending on what temp you need to go down to, you could even get this and use it either alone or in conjunction with a Walmart blue pad.

[Anonymark]

Breyman...Thanks! I decided to sell off some tenting gear (No looking back now!) and get an Arrowhead Equipment New River Under Quilt . I'm pairing it with my Kelty Cosmic Down 20 bag as a top quilt... I'm going to supplement it with my old theramarest ridgeline when it
's really cold.

Just have to wait now, patiently wait.......

[breyman]

Breyman...Thanks! I decided to sell off some tenting gear (No looking back now!) and get an Arrowhead Equipment New River Under Quilt . I'm pairing it with my Kelty Cosmic Down 20 bag as a top quilt... I'm going to supplement it with my old theramarest ridgeline when it
's really cold.

Just have to wait now, patiently wait.......

Sure thing.

Good choice - an UQ really is the way to go . The AHE New River is nice. Also, the Kelty Cosmic Down 20 is my pick for best value sleeping bag. Just make sure you use it like a top quilt - zip it most of the way down, slide your feet in and drape it over top/tuck it under your sides like a quilt/blanket.

You should be warm and comfy!

[Bubba]

Good gear choices. If you haven't fiddled yet, setting up with the foot end higher than the head end seems to make things more comfortable for many BB owners. How much higher depends on you and requires some trial and error. I usually have my foot end about 4 to 6 inches higher than the head.

[iStCrow]

I really enjoyed the low cost of a sleeping pad, but thats about it...
I was so happy when I finally got my underquilt! No more waking up to cold spots or dealing with the pad folding, good choice!

[Anonymark]

I have a problem now. Is there a 12 step program? I bought a slightly used WBBB 1.1 in the for sale section for my son, to go with the one I ordered from Brandon. My buddy has already claimed it for our trip in May...... I hope the new one gets here in time.

Now I just need a tarp too