Any winter hammock campers here?

Macchina

Macchina

Joined
Apr 7, 2006
Messages
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I've converted from tents to hammocks over the last year and plan on using mine this winter during a winter backpackimg trip we're planning. I'm using a Warbonnet Blackbird DL 1.0 with a Hammock Gear Summer Incubator (900+ fill down overstuffed rated to 35F when used with a top quilt). I also hang my tarp low. This setup with a Snugpak Softie 9 sleeping bag kept me toastie in the high 30's, and the trip I'm planning could get down to 15F. So I'm looking for experiences you guys have had with cold temp hammocking. Does a bug netted hammock add anything to your temp rating? I have an 850 fill down Stoic Somnus 15 sleeping bag I'd like to use and I wonder if I should be adding any additional insulation (pads or reflective material) under me with the underquilt and sleeping bag. FWIW, a big fellow hammock camped on this trip last year with just a 10 degree sleeping bag and only complained about a cold butt.

Any experiences would be greatly appreciated.
 
I don't have any with my underquilt on, but here are a few from last summer:
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I started using a Hennessy Hammock last summer, but I am not set up for winter use. . . yet.
 
I have a Clarke Jungle hammock and love it for summer camping. I tried using it in Glacier Natoional Park in September and froze my butt off in it. My rule now is to stay on the ground in the winter. I am getting an Exped 900 sleeping pad for my winter camping. My last winter trip in Yellowstone I did a Big Agnes sleeping pad in an snow cave. Much preferable to a hammock.
 
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Sheltowee said:
I have a Clarke Jungle hammock and love it for summer camping. I tried using it in Glacier Natoional Park in September and froze my butt off in it. My rule now is to stay on the ground in the winter. I am getting an Exped 900 sleeping pad for my winter camping. My last winter trip in Yellowstone I did a Big Agnes sleeping pad in an snow cave. Much preferable to a hammock.
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Did you use an underquilt with your hammock when you froze?
 
I use a Hennessy hammock in the summer and fall and have used it in colder weather maybe ~20 degrees. I prefer a single walled tent for the winter. It keeps way more heat in and it's just down right warmer for me. Especially up here where it's easily single digits average in the winter. It definitely can be done but I feel the extra stuff your going to bring to stay warm negates the hammock being lighter than a good tent. Also I like a tent in the winter because I can bring my wet boots and gear in so they don't freeze overnight. Just what works for me, but I do love a hammock when it's warmer.
 
I would use a sleeping pad with the underquilt. The cheap blue closed cell foam kind. that should bump up your temp rating . Then I would save up for a winter incubator. Since your rolling a Blackbird I am guessing you know who "Shug" is he has some COLD hammock camping videos and he talks a lot about his gear. Lots of tips and tricks like the hot water bottle trick.

There is only one "Shug" lol http://www.youtube.com/user/shugemery
 
Michaelmcgo,
Did not have an under quilt. The Clarke has baffles under it that are supposed to help retain heat. I am a pretty cold sleeper anyway, but that cold air circulating around you, and the compressed fill of your sleeping bag under your back, just makes it cold for me. LOVE it for spring, summer and fall camping in moderate climates.
 
I am a Clark Jungle Hammock NX-250 owner, and I love sleeping in my hammock three seasons, but I don't yet have my winter set up purchased yet. I was comfortable with a sleeping pad (in the hammock to put some space between my compressed bag and the cold fabric) and a 15 degree marmot bag down at about 38 degrees. My feet and underside were getting a little cold, but and underquilt would have helped. It gets tricky sleeping in cold weather in a hammock because the convection of the air moving around you, as others said. If you want a great resource, go to hammock forums and look for anything by a guy named Shug. He's an oddball, but his information and input is sound and very resourceful. He has videos of him hammock set ups that leave him warm and toasty and below zero. It starts to look like quite a contraption at that point, but it can be done.
 
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