HH UL Backpacker and Undernest

[mmendell]

I just came home from my first real test of this set-up. In addition to the UL Backpacker, Nest, and No Sniveler, I am also using the MacCat Delux tarp.

All went very well. Sleeping has never been better...not even close. The MacCat is worth the extra money, IMHO, and the No Sniveler is great. I've found there is a learning curve about the Nest set-up, however, and this is where I have a question for you Nest users out there.

I was in the southern Mosquito range, just south of Leadville, Co. I didn't have a thermometer with me, but projected lows in Leadville during this time were in the 42 degree range. Leadville is at 10K feet, and we were camping between 11K and 12K the whole time, so I suspect our lows were 40 degrees or so, give or take.

Although I slept well, I still found that I was waking with a cold rear-end or right side of my back. I was sleeping in silkweight thermals, wool socks, and a balaclava. I made adjustments to the hang of the hammock, and the openings on either end, and seemed only to move the cold spot around.

Do others find that 40 degrees or so is the bottom end in this set-up? If so, what have you found that is cost and weight effective to get comfortable in the upper 30's, lower 40's? I'm considering adding the Weather Shield, but would like some feedback from this great forum before proceeding.

Thanks!

[Just Jeff]

Upper 30s is the comfort limit for me with the Nest.

Some stuff here if you're interested:
http://www.tothewoods.net/ColdWeatherTenLakes.html
http://www.tothewoods.net/JRB.html

[mmendell]

Good info there, Jeff. Thanks. I've used your experience a great deal in getting myself setup.

I read your review of the Weather Shield, and it seemed a bit mixed. You suggested some improvements...a bit longer, better suspension, etc. Have these changes been made? Do you think the shield significantly adds to the warmth of the system? I would imagine it would help in windy conditions, but what about cold and calm?

Thanks again!

Mark

[Just Jeff]

I think they're making it a bit longer so it doesn't cause the sagging Nest problem I had. Using a half-hitch over the HH knots, as pictured on the JRB page I linked to above, should solve the suspension problem, too. Pan and Smee post here often - I'm sure they'll chime in soon.

You're probably right about it adding to the warmth - it probably has a bigger affect in windy conditions than in cool conditions, but I haven't tested enough to really say for sure. Plenty of people use the WS with their Nests and say it makes a difference, though.

Personally, I'll take it...
1 - If I know I'm going to a very foggy area...I just moved from the Atlantic to the Pacific and both coasts have foggy seasons.
2 - If I don't expect temps to be below 65-70F, I may take the WS instead of the Nest and save ~13 oz. I haven't had any trips like this yet, though.

If I just want a bit of insurance against an unexpected drop in temps, I'll take a 6-7 oz torso pad instead of the 9 oz Weather Shield. More bulk, but it doubles as a sit pad.

If I know it's gonna be lower than mid-30s, I'll just bring more insulation...like putting the Nest/NS on bottom and another bag inside or using the JRB set with a PeaPod on a Speer-type.

Bottom Line - the WS excels at what it was designed for - keeping the underquilt dry. A side benefit is some added warmth. The fact that it's so breathable makes it preferable to a silnylon undercover, too.

All just IMO, of course.

[peter_pan]

Currently the Weather Shield is still the same length as a Nest UQ and two inches wider to allow full loft of the UQ...the short length That just Jeff refers to is approx 1/2 inch or so on the ends...actually they are the same length and curvature causes the WS, as the outer most item to be marginally shorter....it does not affect performance....

Pan