Cold Weather Scenario....

[Morning Glory]

O.K., I'm almost sold on the hammock thing...even though I've never even tried one yet, i'm seriously considering the Hennessy Explorer Asym.
Anyway, my last concern is warmth. I would be carrying a 20 degree synthetic sleeping bag. I don't think I've ever spent a night out that was cooler than 25F and I really don't see in my future staying out on a night much colder than that. Do ya'll think that my current sleeping bag would be warm enough? Also, on the colder trips, how much would a Z-rest pad help out? I really don't want to have to buy another sleeping bag or a quilt. I've got about $300 to spend on both a new tent or hammock and a new pack, so I can't even look at all of the extras to go with the hammock, if I go that route. So, should I be warm enough with what I've got?

[orangebug]

A lot depends on your level of comfort/tolerance of cold. Personally, I wouldn't use a synthetic bag with a hammock due to the extra bulk of the bag. In dealing with cold in hammock hiking, you have to deal with weight and bulk issues. Your sleeping bag will compress, leaving the need for some sort of underquilt.

I use a Speer Hammock (have a spare HH original), use a Peapod, the wide Target blue pad, and will use a sleeping bag for additional warmth. The WM PUMA bag I have now is 0F, and is overkill. I have slept well into the 20's.

Bill....

[Youngblood]

O.K., I'm almost sold on the hammock thing...even though I've never even tried one yet...
You missed a real good opportunety this last weekend to see and maybe try out some of this 'hammock stuff' for yourself at Hot Springs, NC.

[Morning Glory]

You missed a real good opportunety this last weekend to see and maybe try out some of this 'hammock stuff' for yourself at Hot Springs, NC.
I know, I know! Just too much other stuff going on.

[Just Jeff]

I'd definitely recommend some type of additional bottom-side insulation.

If you're saving money, check out the SPE with a CCF pad. If you can spend a little extra, check out the JRB underquilts or a Speer PeaPod.

Several other ideas, too:
http://www.geocities.com/jwj32542/HammockCampingWarm.html

[Morning Glory]

From the replies I've received so far, I'm beginning to second guess my plan to go to a hammock. Honestly, I'm not really up to spending a lot of big bucks on trying to stay warm in 25F weather. I'm also kinda concerned about weight issues. I wouldn't consider myself an ultra-lighter, but I'm hoping to get keep the total weight of my pack, sleeping bag/quilt/whatever, and tent/tarptent/hammock to around 10lbs while hiking in temperatures that get no lower than 20F at night. I've already got a 3 lb., 20F sleeping bag that I really don't want to have to get anything else. So, let me try asking this question in another way. I'm willing to spend around $200 on some sort of shelter to keep me dry, whether it be a hammock, tarptent or hammock with the necessary accesories. Also, I want to keep my sleeping components (sleeping bag/quilt/underquilt +tent/hammock) weight to 7 lb.s or under. Am I outta luck trying to accomplish this with a hammock? Sorry for all the questions.

[flyfisher]

I'm willing to spend around $200 on some sort of shelter to keep me dry, whether it be a hammock, tarptent or hammock with the necessary accesories. Also, I want to keep my sleeping components (sleeping bag/quilt/underquilt +tent/hammock) weight to 7 lb.s or under. Am I outta luck trying to accomplish this with a hammock? Sorry for all the questions.
You willing to sew Bearfoot?

Quilt: 2 in polarguard and 1.1 oz nylon: $60 1.5 lb
WarmHammock with 2 in integral insulation: $70 1.5 lb
5x10 foot tarp (silnylon) $40 0.5 lb

Total: $170 3.5 lb

[tlbj6142]

5x10 foot tarp (silnylon) $40 0.5 lbIs 5x10 wide enough? I know you are going to say "yes", but it seems odd to me that folks complian about the HH fly being too small, but yet you can get by with a 5' wide fly.

Do you have to hang it close to your face for full protection?

[flyfisher]

Is 5x10 wide enough? I know you are going to say "yes", but it seems odd to me that folks complian about the HH fly being too small, but yet you can get by with a 5' wide fly.

Do you have to hang it close to your face for full protection?
The problem I have with the HH fly is that it is diamond shaped, so it is only inches wide at the ends. My tarp is a full 5 feet wide past the end of the hammock.

I have been in 50 mph thunderstorms with it, pitched very close I must admit, and it kept me completely dry. Even very close, the fly is still about 18 inches above my head in the hammock. For regular camping, I usually pitch it so that it is high enough for me to sit in the hammock and the fly just brushes my head.

Here is a picture of the fly set up high for a nice weather night:

http://www.imrisk.com/atsouth/P5180024_web.JPG

And here is the set-up for the thunderstorm (with one side of the fly opened for access) That is the spot and the set-up where the thunderstorm hit our camp.

http://www.imrisk.com/bwca03/bw0317.jpg

[tlbj6142]

Good point about the diamond shape. Hadn't thought about that.

Regarding your 5'x10' tarp, I see you don't have any side tie-outs. Doesn't it flap/hum a bit in wind? Also, I assume you don't have a seam in the fly. Its just a 60"x120" piece of silnylon with rolled edges and 6 tie-outs, correct?