View Full Version : Hanging in the cold.
I am planning to do a 2-3week hike in mid to late October. I plan to start just north of the Smokey Mountain park. I have stayed in my hammock down here in FL in mid to low 20's on the Suwannee river. I've even slept in it with my dog who was about 32lbs. back then. Those temps. were very cold even in a down bag with a prolite thermarest and lots of layers. What are the temps like on the NC/VA border in Oct.? From research, i've come up with an average of about 45. I dont know what altitude that is at tho so i cant be sure wut the temp on the trail will be. Would i be better off just bringing my tent? My dog will be with me but i plan on letting him sleep out. I put him in the hammock with me on the river cause he's gator bait. I'm not too worried about cougars on the AT.
fenderbenderfc
05-01-2012, 08:49
Get yourself a down under quilt. hammockgear.com
Tom Murphy
05-01-2012, 09:18
yup, underquilt is a good idea
I love my JRB quilts.
JaxHiker
05-01-2012, 11:07
I'd definitely look into a UQ and highly recommend hammockgear as well. I love my Incubator.
I just did a hammock presentation last month for the Trailblazers (http://www.meetup.com/NorthFloridaTrailBlazers/). One of the topics was staying warm.
CarolinaATMom
05-01-2012, 11:37
My son (Snakesession aka Loner, currently doing his 2012 AT thru-hike) camped in Georgia last year mid October and the temps went down to 20 degrees at night some nights and that's further south than where you will hike.
With the underquilt, rain fly, hammock and all the cordage to string everything up it seems like going the hammock rout actually takes more room and weighs more than just tenting.
With the underquilt, rain fly, hammock and all the cordage to string everything up it seems like going the hammock rout actually takes more room and weighs more than just tenting.
It depends on the gear.
Buffalo Skipper
05-01-2012, 15:17
That depends on both your hammock setup and the tent setup you are comparing it to. My hammock/tarp/quilts weigh in at about just over 4 lbs 11 oz. My old tent was 5 lbs (and that did not include any sleeping bag or pad).
Just like tents/pad/sleeping bags, hammocks come in heavier and lighter setups. FWIW, getting a hammock/tarp/quilts to an extremely light weight may well cost more than a similar weight of tent/pad/bag.
I have a grand trunk SBpro and an ENO dry fly. I think i need to find a different fly cause the hammock is longer than the fly. I just got a Marmot Sawtooth 15 bag and i have a prolite thermarest. getting an underquilt would def. mean my hammock set up is way bulkier than my Eureka Solitair and i doubt it would be nearly as warm.
I've got a pretty comprehensive list of hammock gear manufacturers on my website. There are a lot of cottage dealers who make under quilts, JRB and HammockGear.com among the top rated.
> http://theultimatehang.com/hammock-manufacturers/
I think if you really push the limits of modern materials and insulation, you can get both a hanging and a ground-dwelling system to be very very light. The ground system might have a slight edge on weight (like a half pound, total) for a complete system (shelter, sleeping insulation) but the hammock may have the edge on comfort, depending on preferences. Hammocks can now be much lighter than even a few years ago. For example, an 8 oz hammock, 6.5 oz tarp with doors, and under and top quilts at a pound each bring a 20 degree hammock system in at under 3 pounds, not including a few more ounces for suspension and ti pegs. I might save a few ounces for a ground system, but that's all.
I think if you really push the limits of modern materials and insulation, you can get both a hanging and a ground-dwelling system to be very very light. The ground system might have a slight edge on weight (like a half pound, total) for a complete system (shelter, sleeping insulation) but the hammock may have the edge on comfort, depending on preferences. Hammocks can now be much lighter than even a few years ago. For example, an 8 oz hammock, 6.5 oz tarp with doors, and under and top quilts at a pound each bring a 20 degree hammock system in at under 3 pounds, not including a few more ounces for suspension and ti pegs. I might save a few ounces for a ground system, but that's all.
I agree with QiWiz, it takes some time and research, but with the modern technology and materials available today it is possible to have a lightweight,warm hammock set up. Mine is about 4 lbs. including an under quilt and tarp with doors.
kayak karl
05-03-2012, 18:31
the underquilt is the way to go.
i made a 12' 1.9 coated nylon (dog nails!) hammock (29 w/quilt and hammock suspensions) this is enough room for my 75#lab and me. 3/4 Tewa UQ zero degree 22 oz. High Sierra Sniveller TQ 30 oz. and Z-pack tarp w/stakes 9 oz.
not the lightest system i got, but with my dog still only 5.5 lb for down to zero (been to -10 with it)
One of the great things about hammocks are their modular nature. You can mix and match components (suspension / tarp / netting, etc) to fit your needs (comfort / weight / temperature, etc) and upgrade as you gain experience and funds. Whereas a tent is typically an all-or-nothing purchase. My tarp is huge, and heavier than necessary for summer (but great for winter). When I get more funds I will get a smaller, lighter tarp (Cuben, if I can afford it). I will eventually swap my webbing suspension for lighter woopie slings. I'd like to get a lighter, non-netted hammock for bug free cold weather.
I haven't bought a 1-man tent yet because there are a lot of different styles / prices to chose from and I want to make sure I get the best one for me. I haven't needed it yet, as I usually share a 2-man with my hiking buddy, so I'm not in a rush and I can research some more.
But, to your original question October can get pretty cold...or not. It really depends on the year. It'd be safer to cover a wider range of temps. For that a down UQ is ideal. You can snug it up for really cold nights or leave a little air gap for warmer ones.
gunner76
05-03-2012, 21:26
I'm not too worried about cougars on the AT
I don't think too many cougars will out on the trail looking, usally find them at the bars looking for younger guys. :)
Under, over, and through quilt (it's called a sleeping bag ;)).
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/2/5/0/2/dsc01457_thumb.jpg[/URL ([URL]http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=38616)]
My dog is cougar bait for both Sapien and Felis Catus.
WIAPilot
05-08-2012, 05:28
My son (Snakesession aka Loner, currently doing his 2012 AT thru-hike) camped in Georgia last year mid October and the temps went down to 20 degrees at night some nights and that's further south than where you will hike.
Carolina - I love your son's videos! :)
Has anyone tried using a space blanket like this one as a summer under layer for their hammock?
http://www.rei.com/product/407106/space-all-weather-blanket
I was thinking of trying it and was wondering if anyone else had experience with it or something similar. I'm looking for something quick, cheap and multipurpose for nights dipping down to 50-55F.
Buffalo Skipper
05-10-2012, 12:08
Has anyone tried using a space blanket like this one as a summer under layer for their hammock?
http://www.rei.com/product/407106/space-all-weather-blanket
I was thinking of trying it and was wondering if anyone else had experience with it or something similar. I'm looking for something quick, cheap and multipurpose for nights dipping down to 50-55F.
The main problem I see with this is that it is not "darted" to fit to the hammock. It will allow air gaps, and that will cool you off quickly. I recall some at the hammock fourms discussed this product just a few months ago.
Twice, before I had a proper under quilt, I used a regular mylar space blanket sandwiched between layers. It worked, ok, but again the bottom layer I was using was a darted underquilt made from an old summer sleeping bag. I would not view this as a practical solution, but you can try it. Your experience may be different than mine.
SouthMark
05-10-2012, 15:24
Slept on Roan High Knob along with twelve or so other hammock hangers down to 2º with about 35-40 mph winds and deep snow. I slept like a baby, warm and toasty.
Slept on Roan High Knob along with twelve or so other hammock hangers down to 2º with about 35-40 mph winds and deep snow. I slept like a baby, warm and toasty.
So what were all the components of your rig and where did you place the space blanket? As an under layer beneath the hammock, around just your sleeping bag or around the hammock and your sleeping bag- taco style?
With the underquilt, rain fly, hammock and all the cordage to string everything up it seems like going the hammock rout actually takes more room and weighs more than just tenting.
Most good tarps for hammocking weigh less and pack better than tent rain fly's, even solo ones. In general, the hammock itself with suspension should weigh about the same as the inner tent. With an underquilt, you can ditch your pad, and it means you can get by with less up top - meaning a lighter sleeping bag or top quilt - and its certainly less bulky than a pad. Cordage doesn't weigh much unless you're using thick stuff which isn't necessary and is bulky.
The fact is that tenting is simple. It "weighs" on the mind to think about hammocking because of the modular nature and different physics. Depending on your setup it can weigh as much or more than a tent, but typically not too much more. Once you figure out what you do and do not need, it can be less than a tent. For my experience, its a lot more fun and worth the endeavor to figure it out.
SouthMark
05-12-2012, 11:43
So what were all the components of your rig and where did you place the space blanket? As an under layer beneath the hammock, around just your sleeping bag or around the hammock and your sleeping bag- taco style?
Did not use a space blanket. May hammock was a Warbonnet Traveler with a Zpacks cuben tarp pitched with sides to the ground. Piled snow up along the edges. My top quilt was a Warbonnet Winter Mamba. Under quilt was a JRB No Sniveler combined with an Molly Mac IX under quilt. A hammock sock completed the set up. I slept in Mountain Hardware Power stretch long underwear, Black Rock down beanie, Power stretch balaclava, fleece gloves and a Montbell down inner jacket.
We had two members that had just come from Ely, MN where the had hung at -27º.
Charlie Oscar
05-23-2012, 17:13
I hiked from Deep Gap NC south to Blood mountain in Mid October and Early November last Year, I was very warm overall. Maybe 40 in the morning but 60-70 by mid morning. November was wet and windy but I was tent camping so stayed warm. When we got to deep gap there was snow on the ground for a few miles but not really cold. I am leaving this week to go to NC, and it looks like I'll be sweating my butt off. Good luck and have a grat hike C.O.
You could try a S.O.L. Thermal Bivy. I used one a few times just as an underpad but you could probably slide a mummy bag in it and it has velcro closures at the bottom and top. 80% heat retention, breathable unlike a mylar blanket but wind/water resistant and only 40 bones.
WILLIAM HAYES
06-06-2012, 20:39
JRB Underquilt is what I use been down to 15 degrees with a pad and a JRB down Overquilt check hammock forums website for some good info on winter hanging in a hammock look at shugs videos they are very informative
kayak karl
06-06-2012, 21:00
i got the JRB "mt washington 4" down to zero and below at spring mt and also brown fork.
gunner76
06-07-2012, 20:46
Attend a group hammock hang (check hammockforums.net) to check out a varity of different hammock setups.