View Full Version : Hanging on Iron Mountain
stickman
10-26-2006, 18:19
I just completed the section from Kincora to Damascus. Equipment included an HH, JRB underquilt, one-quater inch CCF pad that is 30 inches wide for plenty of protection for shoulders and arms, and a WM bag rated at 10 degrees. My first night out, at Watauga Lake Shelter, I was cozy. The morning temperature was about 38 degrees.
The second day, the temperature fell dramatically and there was a constant high wind. I tried hanging at Iron Mountain Shelter, but just couldn't make it and went to the ground (actually, the shelter floor) after a couple of hours. The temperature the next morning registered 20 degrees. I have slept out in my backyard with my gear at that temperature and was OK, but my yard is sheltered from wind. The wind on Iron Mountain was a real killer.
I love my HH, my JRB, and my WM, but don't think I would try to rely on that system for a cold season hike unless there is a really foolproof way to absolutley block the wind.
Any ideas?
Stickman
How low did you have your tarp?
hammock engineer
10-26-2006, 18:25
Nice report. Site selection could help with the wind. Finding a place that the mountain or trees block the wind.
Are you using the stock HH tarp? A bigger tarp would help. The McCat Deluxe that I use completly blocks the wind from hitting any part of the hammock.
stickman
10-26-2006, 18:54
I was using a JRB 8x8 tarp. Its a little bigger than the stock Hennessey but maybe not as big as the MacCat. Brian is apparantly off at school and not selling his tarps for a while, but if I can run across one, maybe I'll give it a try. I have to say, though, that this was pretty serious wind - I'd guess it was steady at about 30 mph and gusting higher, lots of blowdown, etc. - and I think a lot of air would be moving under the hammock regardless of the tarp. While I was l shivering up there, I was thinking about trying to make something out of Tyvek.
Thanks for your replies!
Stickman
nchiker467
10-26-2006, 19:30
maybe you could use a sil nylon hammock sock.
when the temps are in that range I use a DAM - Exped Downmat 9 plus a CCF pad on top of the DAM to ease the warm up time - also dang comfortable if you need to go to the ground
I've just got in from testing out my blue wmart 24 inch wide pad(it looks like 3/8 thick) in hammock with nest underneath it is 27 out . i used a western mountain bad 20 degree as quilt. i was on my front porch no wind, i did not have the tarp up. i was very comfortable with light pants, fleese, smart wool socks, and thin balaca.i'm sure things would change if it was windy out. my goal is to get comfortable to 20 degrees. i'm starting my thru end of march hoping to not run into temps on too many nights below that. if i do i'll go to the ground those nights. thanks for the report!
FanaticFringer
10-26-2006, 23:14
I was using a JRB 8x8 tarp. Its a little bigger than the stock Hennessey but maybe not as big as the MacCat. Brian is apparantly off at school and not selling his tarps for a while, but if I can run across one, maybe I'll give it a try. I have to say, though, that this was pretty serious wind - I'd guess it was steady at about 30 mph and gusting higher, lots of blowdown, etc. - and I think a lot of air would be moving under the hammock regardless of the tarp. While I was l shivering up there, I was thinking about trying to make something out of Tyvek.
Thanks for your replies!
Stickman
I'd switch to a 3/8 pad and see if that helps.
peter_pan
10-26-2006, 23:19
When you have no wind block the tree orientation is critical....Normally two trees that lie N_S will let you peg down the west(normal prevailing wind) side and achieve a viable wind block.
Pan
Stickman,
Who's bag were you in? What degree?
stickman
10-31-2006, 20:12
Western Mountaineering Superlight, rated at 20 degrees. That was marginal, but I wore medium weight polypro long johns, a light weight balaclava, and wool socks to bed. As I said, I've slept out colder at home, but sheltered from the wind.
Stickman