If, like me, you’re going to spend another winter tree-dwelling I might have a couple of solutions to that four letter word that might otherwise spoil a great time in the woods… c-o-l-d!
Obviously, we know we must have good insulation under the hammock. No problem. Some use a hammock underblanket but I use a Thermarest. I find an underblanket is a little too bulky and it’s really like lugging a second sleeping bag around with you. But each to their own and if it provides a good nights rest, then go for it.
The second is a darned good sleeping bag. In winter, I revert to the 58 pattern British Army sleeping bag (the old Green Maggot). Designed in 1958, when there was no such thing word as Ultra-light, it’s huge, bulky and heavy but it certainly does the trick with an alleged rating of down to -12C. It’s also got a centre zip as well.
I’ve been to -5C; I sleep cold and this is the only bag I’ve had no issues with. I am, however, on the lookout for a lighter, slimmer version.
I’ve also seen a couple of people lay down a thin sheet of silver foil under the sleeping bag. Something like a fold-up emergency blanket. I’m going to try this too. Not sure of the theory behind it, but must be something to do with the insulation.
The next item is a must! I tried it out last weekend when the temperature went down to 4C and it works a treat. A simple balaclava. Yes it looks scary in the cold light of day (did I say that “C”- word again?) But when it’s dark – no-one can hear you scream laugh at you.
I don’t particularly like my head covered by a sleeping bag hood and a hat more often than not falls off during the night. But this is not a problem with a balaclava. You can cover the nose and mouth if required (it’s not a good idea to breathe into a sleeping bag as it causes moisture in the bag) or just have the balaclava around the neck, chin and head.
You can even use it as just a neck covering during the day or pull it over your head to protect the ear ‘oles if the wind gets up. I think we know that the head and neck are major areas for heat loss and in extreme cases a bit of frost nip will target the end of your nose and ears.
My choice of balaclava was a WoolPower (Ullfrotte) version from Ray Mears’ site at £12-00. The best £12-00 I’ve spent this year!
Thanks for visiting,
Pablo.
Welcome.
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Pablo I have one of those army sleeping bags and I got it for the cold weather,however I seldom use it as it takes up most of the room in my pack.Do you strap it to the outside of your bag or just take less kit.Andy.
Andy – I can only strap on the outside bottom of the bag and use krabs to hitch it up to the middle outside of the rucksack. This is one of the reasons why I’m on the lookout for a new one. It will be hard to beat for warmth though. All the best mate.
Hi Mr P
I still have my 58 and I agree with all your comments on weight and bulk etc!! I expect thats why MoD have moved over to the snugpac type of bag! My findings are these, if you want warmth and light you will have to save up for a down job, I know they cost an arm and a leg and if they get wet they are a real problem, but they are worth their weight in gold. I had one some years ago weighing in at around 500gm it kept me warm and snug from the rocky mountains in autumn to a snow hole in the Cairngorms, although for that I also wore an extra wool jumper over my thermals!! Have a look at Alpkit.com for some very good and dare I say cheap down bags and other great lightweight gear.
Regards
Hey Pablo!
Nice post! The theory behind the emergency blanket is that it reflects back “radiant” heat. It does if it touches the skin as the material of these “blankets” will actually conduct more heat away than the “radiant’ gives back. I have not used one for a while but when I did I tried it lashed to the bottom of my Hennessy Hammock on the outside and although it did stop the wind a bit I did not notice much of a difference. When I tried it on top of my sleeping pad I noticed the difference but I also noticed more moisture trapped between me and it when the night got coldest!
I would suggest you give it a try anyway and see what you think. Think I may just try it again myself this winter!
Thanks for the great post!
Decado
Hey Pablo, I’ve have found that I am more comfortable using a fleece hoodie instead of the wool, and the foil with the build in air pockets between two layers of foil, instead of the a space blanket. I find that the foil sends back heat to me after about 20 minutes or so, and I do not need as thick a sleeping bag.
Thanks for all the comments. Yes. Alpkit is looking good for a down bag.
Hi Pablo,
I have often compared down bags that I have borrowed with synthetic bags I have owned on the basis of warmth weight and bulk. In late spring/summer early autumn I use a Snugpack phase 3 made by Softy. In the winter I use a Mountain Hardware Lamina 20 which is supposed to be good down to -7c. It is true that whilst the synthetic bags do not pack down so small they do still keep you warm in the damp. And given our climate its a major pluss for me.
Recently I bought a Sabre 45 pack the Laminar 20 when in its stuffsack will fit incide on its side along the bottom of the pack the softy and thermarest take the same space in the summer.
As I am not a tree dweller yet and still on the ground the bag and mat go inside a Rab stormbivi which should give you an extra 1-2 deg C protection. A silk bag liner will add
2-3 deg C to that.
To keep my head and neck warm in winter I wear a baggy flece balaclava which comes well down my neck the only problem here is waking in the morning in a panick thinking I have gone blind because it has twisted round in my sleep.
On a final note the bags wont generate heat only insulate against heat loss so there is something to be said for running round the camp like a loon and getting hot just before you jump in the bag.
hi pablo
another place look for a decent sleeping bag (altho may be abit pricey) is the fishing ones i have a decent one that had for a few year cost £40 and been down way into the minus in it with a fleeced bivy bed cover
woke up in the morning with the over wrap frozen solid an i mean solid and didnt move for ages as i was only in boxers an t-shirt toasty warm
dave
Cheers Chris – Good thoughts there. You’re right about the heat insulation. I usually generate this heat wriggling about getting comfy in the hammock.
David – I might just check out stuff from the fishing line. Cheers.
i use polypro long johns for addional warmth..in really cold temp i use a inner set of silk long johns beneith my polypros..this and a set of baklava and good wool socks..my usual bag is rated to 20F ..but i have stayed warm in a HH down to the low teens with this set up…i truly enjoy reading of ur adventures..keep up the good works…safe journey
Hi Pablo as an extra layer that packs “fairly” small try a U.S. Army poncho liner they seem to be made similar to the old British Army green waistcoat seemingly not enough material BUT amazingly warm for its thickness
Hi Pablo,
i use the same make of balaclava, and likewise found it an excellent bit of kit. I use the Snugpack Hammock underblanket purchased from DD Hammocks, found out how to fit it correctly by searching the internet, fits into my old sea to summit 13l size stuffsack and fits onto the outside of my pack. boy is warm!!!!!!
Pablo,
The silver foil thing that you mentioned i have seen something similar used.
A silver foil “mat” basically what it is – the material you put behind radiators to reflect heat.
They come in a roll about 12 ft long i belive (could be bigger or smaller) and weigh practically nothing.
Hope that helps
Pablo – Was in Black’s in Brighton on Friday and if you are still looking for a bag I suggest you give you local one a look.
It seems that now the sun is out and the festivals are on all their winter sleeping bags are at massive knock down prices.
I picked up a Mountain Hardware Enta or Fuji bag ( think its been dicontiuned), rated to -5 comfort, great features and well made for £35.99 reduced from £99.99! BARGIN!