[at-l] Temperature range mid-April thru May

[askowronek at mindspring.com (amy)]

>
> On Feb 28, 2006, at 11:39 PM, Trail Walker wrote:
>
>>   I plan to use a Hennessy ULTRALITE BACKPACKER A-SYM Hammock and  
>> a 20-degree down bag.  Still need to experiment with a pad  
>> suitable for inside the hammock.
>

My experience is that in May you can expect at least a couple of  
nights at or below freezing in North Carolina.

I use my Hennessey year round.  I've tried a wide variety of pads and  
insulation.  What works best for me in cold weather is a JacksRBetter  
underquilt outside the hammock, a thermarest under me inside the  
hammock, and a 20 degree down quilt over me.  In really nasty weather  
I add a JacksRBetter Weather Shield outside around the underquilt and  
one inside laid over my topquilt.

About pads inside the hammock:  in the beginning I heard from a lot  
of people how it was important that you not have a slippery pad so it  
wouldn't go all over in the hammock.  I didn't even try one.  Then  
after years of hammocking I tried my thermarest and found out I  
really liked it - it let me turn over much more easily because I  
didn't stick to the pad.

Also about pads:  I sweat, and on uncovered foam pads the sweat is  
held right up against me.  For some reason my thermarest doesn't seem  
to do that.  If you want to use an uncovered foam pad, one with  
dimples or ridges might be best (so they collect the water and you  
won't get damp and cold.)  I used a Z-rest for years but it always  
wanted to buckle at the folds and I didn't like that.

Besides being warm and comfy, I like that my current setup translates  
well to being in a shelter if necessary.  In sincerely cold weather  
(the kind where your coffee freezes to your cup while you're drinking  
it, and don't even think about trying to use toothpaste) I can set up  
in a shelter with both the quilts over me and be really toasty.  For  
me the thermarest is much more comfortable on a shelter floor than a  
z-rest.

Oh, and I use a Z-rest sit-pad under my feet in the hammock.  Maybe  
it's a female circulation thing, but my feet always seem to get cold  
without insulation under them.  Having a separate pad for my feet  
(tucked into the foot of my quilt) means I can move around quite a  
bit and stay warm without falling off the pad.

-amy