Hello all. First post here on BWCA - I am taking a week long trip to the BW in Mid-August and one of my trip-mates turned me on to this site. I've read most of the threads - thanks for your advice.

This is my first hammock trip and, unfortunately, I did not wise up until late spring. And I live in Austin, Texas. So I've been unable to test my set up in conditions even close to what I'll experience in the BW.

Here is what I have:

WBBB
WB Edge Tarp
32 Degree Ozark Trails Down Sleeping Bag
30 Degree Synthetic Sleeping Bag

I'm a warm sleeper and am 6 foot 1, 190. I'm inclined to leave the synthetic bag at home based purely on its size (about 3x the size of the down bag). I also need to decide on bottom insulation. I'm currently leaning towards the AHE Jarbidge based on its low cost and because I camp mostly in the South other than this dream trip to the BW. Would I be too hot or too cold with this set-up in the BW? Can I get by without a footpad at this time of the year?

Can you think of any other considerations that I am not thinking about given my inability to test conditions before the trip? I've slept in the hammock a few nights, but have not yet experienced a rain or wind storm. I do plan to spend one night hanging near our outfitter the night before we set out.

Thanks in advance.

I've done a couple of mid-August ten/eleven day trips to the BWCA/Q in recent years. You can expect a few nights with temps in the high 60's and a few nights with temps in the thirties. I've never seen August snow but I have seen August frost.

Do you have the double layer WBBB? If so, you could get by with a cheap yoga pad for bottom insulation (possibly augmented with spare clothes on the coldest nights).

You are wise to go with the down top insulation.

Good luck! Have a blast!

Last year I did my solo the first week of August. I ranged in temps from 38 - 85 if that helps.

I have double layer blackbird /Superfly and use 20 deg top and under quilt from hammock gear.

Welcome to the site.

I have a Jarbridge and love it. I used to have a WBBB DL and did the yoga mat trick. It sucks, and you'll wake up to it bunched up and you cold. Just splurge on the UQ and be happy and comfy.

I agree that an UQ would be a good idea.
You could use it in the shoulder seasons in TX.
Get a UQ that is rated to 20F. Then if you are too warm you can vent it. Remember, you can get cooler if the UQ is too warm, but you can't go the other way.
Hammock Gear,JacksRbetter, Underground quilts and more make excellent products. Check out hammockforums.net and peruse the forum for Bottom Insulation

Well said, +1

quote jcavenagh: "I agree that an UQ would be a good idea.
You could use it in the shoulder seasons in TX.
Get a UQ that is rated to 20F. Then if you are too warm you can vent it. Remember, you can get cooler if the UQ is too warm, but you can't go the other way.
Hammock Gear,JacksRbetter, Underground quilts and more make excellent products. Check out hammockforums.net and peruse the forum for Bottom Insulation "

Thanks, all. I'll go with an underquilt.

I'll check back in after my August trip with a report.

Also...the UQ should be SNUG right up to your butt. At first I thought I had it too tight, but when I loosened it I got cold in the middle of the night.
Your body temp actually goes down during the night, so keep that UQ tight.

Mine has shock cord on all four sides to also ensure there is not a draft coming in. I think it's affectionately referred to as Cold Butt Syndrome.

Update - My trip starts Saturday and I wanted to get a few more opinions. I went with an underquilt (AHE Jarbidge). I also have the 32 Degree Down Walmart Sleeping bag. Will I be too warm with both? The weather next week looks wet, with highs in the high 70s and lows around 55.

If it is too warm, what would you recommend swapping the sleeping bag with?

Just back from my first trip in hammock.

Since like me you don't have much time to test, is my advice...

Buy a cheap $2 mylar space blanket. If you are chilled, place it under the hammock over the UQ. A lifesaver!

Before going to sleep, change into 100% dry clothes. Socks, shirt etc. bring long johns.


In my case the weather plunged overnight half way through the trip and went from toasty hot to having to pull on long johns about 2 am one night.

If you are a warm sleeper you will be fine with that setup. The sleeping bag will add almost no insulation below you, the underquilt will be required. For my footpad I brought an inflatable sit pad I got at REI, it worked great. My trip this year was wet, last week in July, I was fine with jarbidge DIY top quilt and my little sit pad for feet. The main thing is to keep your down dry! You should be dry when you go to bed and if things are damp and you can hang them up to dry out whenever you can. The Mylar blanket does add some warmth and is great to have in you pack regardless. Every night above ground is a good night. With the rain we had this year us hammock hangers were much drier than the tent sleepers. Another thing to think about is where to put your pack. This year I used my alite chair each night to keep my pack off the ground. It worked great, put pack in chair cover pack and chair with pack cover, every morning pack and chair are dry. Hope everything works for you.