ultralite sleep system?

[angrysparrow]

Yeah - that would a great setup for most of the trail. You think it would get him thru the smokies in winter though?

Could always augment with a 1/2" CCF pad just for a few weeks, though. Would be much cheaper than the systems I listed, too.

That's what I was thinking. Especially if there was already a partial pad or sit pad in the mix from a pack's framesheet. I think it could be made to work through the early spring, especially supplemented with any already carried clothing.

[Just Jeff]

SpinnTex is pretty promising. Some folks are saying Cuben Fiber is turning out to be not quite strong enough for a tarp...too susceptible to falling branches poking holes. Others seem to be happy with it...your call.

JRB 8x8 tarp and MacCat Micro are the two I'd look at. Or ask Brian at www.outdoorequipmentsupplier.com if he's still making the 5x8 ones...it's a little better coverage than the stock Hennessy.

But keep in mind that one some rainy days you may be spending a lot of time under these tarps. And March nights are still pretty long...that's not gonna be the most comfortable thing under a tiny tarp.

[Diamond Diggs]

Yeah - You think it would get him thru the smokies in winter though?

Diamond D. is a her not a him (if your were speaking of me, that is).

Seems like a wind proof sock is a pretty clever, potentially warmer way to go in the winter season being that you would have a complete 360d barrier?

[Hooch]

Diamond D. is a her not a him.

I was gonna say the same thing.

Seems like a wind proof sock is a pretty clever, potentially warmer way to go in the winter season being that you would have a complete 360d barrier?

I've got a hammock sock, courtesy of an HF member. It worked very well last year at our annual winter hang at Mt. Rogers and on a section hike when it got pretty cold and we ended up with several inches of snow.

One down side to hammock socks is that they're very prone to condensation. But they'll give you an extra 7-10 degrees in your hammock.

[gnome]

one has to consider cuben fiber if you are really serious about weight. tarp, hammock, pack,(pack can be water almost proof, eliminating pac covers etc.) stuff sacks. Cuben and down can get below some scary numbers! gnome

[ikemouser]

Check out nunatak quilts, crazy light as well, jrbs are good. I am in your exact situation too. I am looking to thru AT but need tq/uq too. I recommend you get a warbonnet hammock, just my 2 cents. I am thinking about JRBs or nunataks for my quilt options, i already have a yeti for my summer stuff, and a big agnes pitch pine 40 bag for summer as well.

Are you getting 2 tq/uqs, one for warm part, one for cold part of the trail? I mean are you gonna ship out your warm gear for cold gear when you hit the right area?

[Just Jeff]

Diamond D. is a her not a him (if your were speaking of me, that is).

DOH!! Couldn't quite tell from your avatar... Apologies.

I like hammock socks and usually have one in winter. Or at least Joker (my 10-y/o son) usually has mine.

[Doctari]

I love my hammock sock, adds easily 15 degrees to any set up you have! Mine is a little heavy at 15.5 Oz, but as it adds so much to the temp rating, & I count it as adding 7.75 Oz to my top insulation & 7.75 Oz to the bottom. Well worth the weight cost IMHO. PLUS, if you go with a smaller tarp, it adds just a little weather protection at minimal weight cost.
Mine is mostly ripstop nylon, if/when I make a new one I'll be making the bottom of sil, I figure to save at least 1 or 2 Oz.

[Diamond Diggs]

Awesome! This has given me a few really good ideas for a potentially awesome ultralite winter sleep kit. Im gonna do a little more research on some of the suggestions you all have mentioned and get back with you on it for your opinions.

Any more ideas? Let em' roll!

Thanks Bunches.

[Wentworth]

I think the insulated down hammock idea that JustJeff, Risk and I have made would have to be just about the lightest thing out there.