Hammock and 15° low Report

[blgoode]

Quick trip report.
Walk in around 34 degrees. Wind gusts.
By the time up top dropped to about 25 winds picked up big time.
Setting up camp temps dropped to 18 degrees.

Set the hammock up and superfly into storm mode and closed 3 doors on the tarp. One left open to walk in and out. Set top quilts in after fluffing down and layering my 30 degree into my 20 degree.
Set up 0 degree UQ Incubator and closed off gaps.





Hands had to be warmed from time to time to get everything done. Used 2 military wool liners layered together. Worked well. But I'd like some sort of over mitten I think.

The layering of quilts worked well. My 20 degree is a massive 58" wide from when I was a ground sleeper. It layering my 30 degree under it this was an advantage.

The low for the night was 16 but hit 15 before we went to bed

 

[blgoode]

Tried white gas stove due to these temps. Was a big advantage.





I stayed toasty warm and had zero issues at all.

Second night it warmed considerably but started off still right at 20 degrees. I already had the 30 degree inside my 20 so I left it all as is. At about 3:00am I went to pee and was warm and it was about 25 degrees. At about 7:00 it really warmed up and I moved on top of the 30 degree and used just the 20 degree and was much cooler when it hit 38 degrees.


It was a wild range of temps and really gave me confidence in my options with only 1 lb penalty by taking both top quilts.



The total miles hiked was way less than most trips. The extreme low temp for our experiences meant leaving 3 hrs for that evening to collect wood to use as a heat source as well as cooking coals. We had more wood than needed and that was time well spent.








Things that worked.
Having 4 total head layers
1 very breathable merino wool in combination with stretchy acrylic UArmor stocking cap. 1 polartec watch cap under a down hat for sleeping.
2 neck gaitor - 1 pulled up around face.

Top layers 2 150 wt merino
1 100 wt fleece
1 puffy jacket
1 wind break vest but a little heavy still when on scale.

UV water purification was a must in these temps.

White gas stove was a big plus for the temps. Used fire to cook the second night.

Sleeping with water to keep from freezing was a must.

Having that additional layering of top quilts was a huge benefit. Worked same as layering clothing and that I had not predicted. If I had simply took s zero degree that would have made the second night too warm of an option as I was able to turn my virtual 0 layered option into a 20 option by kicking up out of the 30. Big benefit I hadn't thought about.

Shock cords on the side pull outs using trekking poles was a big plus! Thanks Brian Swink for the cord as well as the tip. Really meant I could have been in storm mode and use alcohol stove for my coffee from inside the last morning.

IMUSA pot worked great again. Not too large and zero sticking unlike my titanium pots. After this trip I'll be selling my evernew 900 for sure. I just don't be using it. Using this pot directly on coals and still no sticking. Gotta love it.

What didn't work
100 wt fleece is too tight fitting so adjusting layers was a task. Need to replace with a larger size full zip version.

Need lighter wind break vest but a durable option different than the UL type

Feet insulation around camp was basically non existent.

No way to store bulk water for the next day unless you wanted unusable water bottles that were blocks of ice in the morning.

My buddy broke my folding saw handle but it was still usable. Curious if it was him or the cold but will never know......

 

[MontanaMarine]

Thanks for sharing.

Regarding the water storage - I don't know if the ground was frozen or not, but if the ground wasn't frozen, you might be able to dig a hole, put the water containers in it, pack it wit some of those dry leaves, and cover it lightly. Might work especially if the water was warmed up a bit, or the hole was near your fire pit.




Shane

 

[blgoode]

Good tip ! We mentioned that option in a slightly different way but we chose our campsite because it was a couple hundred yards from a water source.

 

[gunsbeerbacon]

Excellent! I should have chosen the superfly because now I want to get into some cold-weather hanging and I've had the edge since last spring, still a great tarp though but I wish I got the bigger one.
A water idea and expanding on digging a hole: Put some rocks into your campfire and when you're ready to turn in- throw em in the hole, cover with a decent layer of dirt (enough that you don't melt your water bottles/bladders) and then put your water storage on top and maybe cover that w a weighted down mylar blanket. When I'm sterilizing water, I just throw hot rocks into it, they bring it to a boil pretty quick. Thanks for the report on winter clothing!

 

[blgoode]

I also have the edge tarp for warmer temps. I really like how small it is but still covers well.

 

[molliesmaster]

Looks like a good time.

Not gonna lie, the pic of the guy holding the little house dog kinda creeps me out a little. Haha

 

[MTBOWHUNTER542]

What hammock are you running?

 

[blgoode]

Warbonnet Blackbird single layer.

 

[blgoode]

I even used the netting in winter to cut back on the wind.