2024 FBC: HANG #1
10.24.2024 : FRONT YARD, 32F COMFORT: 4/5
Last night was my first entry for the FBS challenge and the first time using my new hammock.
It was a quick setup after work as the temps were due to get down to 35F for that day alone. I had never set it up before and it took 40 minutes to do so.
I immediately realized that the spacing on the trees I normally hung my previous 9ft hammock on were at the very minimum distance to keep my 12’ SLD hammock off the ground and while it placed it at a poor angle to sleep in I rolled with it anyway.
The SLD is so wide that I was still able to lay fairly flat on the diagonal even though it was at a sharp Vee instead of a nice 30deg setup. The ridge-line was used at what it came set at, usually a starting point is 83% of the 12ft length and Jared (maker) may have set it there, but as of this morning after the hang, I have not measured it or adjusted it yet.
More explanation of the initial SLD setup and compensation for mistakes made on the maiden setup are shown on the SIMPLY LIGHT DESIGNS: VOYAGEUR - MAIDEN VOYAGE post if you are interested.
This post is going to be short and sweet with some quick observations for the comfort level and corrections to be made for future hangs. The goal at this point in the challenge is to find a “toasty warm” system that will got to 32F without problem.
I want my sleep to be good, not survivable. Freezing all night does not leave you refreshed and recharged for another days marching on a 50 mile trek to get home.
This kit is for my 50 MILE GHB not just camping out. The goal is refreshing sleep.
LESSON #1: SLEEP ORIENTATION
Using the inflatable pad in the SLD double layer hammock worked as expected. Once it was in place it did not move even with a lot of shifting in the hammock in the middle of the night because I was trying to cover up in the sleeping bag.
I did decide that laying with my head on the LEFT side (laying in hammock looking at feet) and angling my feet to the right would be more comfortable for me, but I was not willing to get out in the middle of the night to reposition the pad and sleeping the opposite direction was not the end of the world. When I tried to orientate on the LEFT, I was off the pad some and found a cold spot pretty quick.
LESSON #2: SLEEPING BAG AS TOP QUILT
I started at 2030hrs at 42F and was toasty using the bag/bivy as a foot box and top quilt with just the pad below me. At 2300hrs I woke with a bit of CBS and got out of the hammock and stood in the bag/bivy then laid back down in the hammock.
This gave me coverage underneath, but my MSS bag bivy are just too short for my 6’-3” frame and will only provide a subjective comfort level of 4/5 down to 32F or a “Feels Like” 28F in this case.
My next 32F or below hang will be using my old 17F mummy bag (which I hate, but is longer) to see how it fairs.
Besides the minor CBS at 2300, my right hand had been outside the bag for several hours and even with the light cold weather running glove, was really cold when I woke. Having the gloves on while I sleep is likely going to be a new standard for me. I’m not one who can keep their arms folded inside of a bag and not move, having some coverage allowed me to keep them outside of the bag for a time and not have crippled hands from being folded under my armpits in the bag all night.
LESSON #3: HAVING A DUMMY CORDED PILLOW
The SLD pillow was awesome! Even though the material is slick, it did not scoot out from under my face like I was concerned it would. I did have the elastic cord too tight and when I rolled over it did pull it out of the hammock because I hooked it at the gathering loop up high. I was able to retrieve it from my sleeping position but it was a stretch to reach and will be attaching it to another point (upper tie-out by head) that makes it easy to find if it falls out in the future. Just knowing where it has to be and following the elastic cord down to it outside of the hammock is gold! It’s a very comfortable pillow also.
LESSON #4: KNOW YOUR DISTANCES
Because the new hammock is 3ft longer, my ridge-line for the tarp is a bit short. I will be cutting a longer length of 550 cord today and establishing a pace distance for min/max between anchors. Knowing that you need at least 5 paces and no more than 8 for example, makes it much easier to select a pair of anchors BEFORE you start to setup.
EQUIPMENT USED
BASELINE EQUIPMENT LIST:
GI MSS Gore-Tex Bivy
GI MSS Patrol Bag
BASELINE CLOTHING LIST:
Merino Wool socks w/ ACORN wool sock slippers over top
Merino Wool long sleeve shirt
Merino Wool watchman’s cap
Fleece Running Gloves
COSTCO cheap synthetic puffy jacket
Glad to hear the first night was relatively successful. ETA for my voyager is Monday now.
Love the idea of the dummy corded pillow, brilliant! I will be implementing this.