Am I going to freeze?

**Corinna** · 08-25-2016, 21:13

Hey there!
So, I have a 20 degree full under quilt, but no top quilt. We are going to the Smokies next week and it looks to be about 58-60 degrees at night. Am I going to freeze with out any top layer. It will be our first time using the under quilt. We have only camped out in the hot sticky weather where anything other than clothes, (Ok, who am I kidding. I would have slept without those, too) would have been like the surface of the sun. I am just trying to decide if I need to bring heavy clothes for sleeping.

**Kroma** · 08-25-2016, 21:18

You will probably be a little chilly on top. Do you not have any top insulation at all?

**deuce656** · 08-25-2016, 21:21

I would definitely bring something for top insulation, especially since the temperatures forecast in the smokies can vary pretty drastically depending on where you camp.

**TrailSlug** · 08-25-2016, 21:21

If it's really going to reach those temps you will want/need something on top of you. Do you have a sleeping bag, down throw or even a wool throw? If it were to be windy you will get even cooler.

**SilvrSurfr** · 08-25-2016, 21:25

You'll definitely need top insulation, a fleece blanket or something. Don't even think about just using clothing.

A couple of years ago we had a Thanksgiving hang with the overnight low about 18* F. We had a noob in the group who had just bought an HG 0* Incubator UQ. Around 4 or 5 am I woke up to water the bushes, and the noob was sitting by the campfire, visibly shivering. I asked him how he had slept and he said he almost froze to death.

"How could you freeze to death with a 0* UQ?" I asked. Then he explained to me that he did not bring a topquilt. He figured he didn't need it, that he could just wrap the UQ around him. Obviously, that didn't work out too well!

**pgibson** · 08-25-2016, 21:28

I would absolutely hunt up something to use on top. Temps in the mountains can vary drastically from the prediction....just a little air flow can put a good chill on you. Being near water or in a gully where the air will be drawn down into the low areas could mean 10 or more degrees. A blanket, old sleeping bag, cheap walmart bag even would be better than having nothing.

**njsurfer** · 08-25-2016, 23:09

Short answer, yes you will be cold. Wont die, but certainly wont enjoy your night and probably wont sleep much. Get or borrow a cheap 40° sleeping bag and youll be good to go. As others noted, dont depend on forecasted temperatures in the wilderness, always be prepared for at least 10° colder than forecast. Have a fun trip.

**johnspenn** · 08-26-2016, 05:38

Take something for top insulation. Many good ideas above. Have fun, enjoy your trip, and don't be miserable all night because you can't stay warm.

**bamudd** · 08-26-2016, 06:17

Yeah you'll be cold. Cheap short term solution, go pick up a couple Costco down throws for $20 each

**Us5Camp** · 08-26-2016, 08:37

Originally Posted by Corinna

Hey there!
So, I have a 20 degree full under quilt, but no top quilt. We are going to the Smokies next week and it looks to be about 58-60 degrees at night. Am I going to freeze with out any top layer. It will be our first time using the under quilt. We have only camped out in the hot sticky weather where anything other than clothes, (Ok, who am I kidding. I would have slept without those, too) would have been like the surface of the sun. I am just trying to decide if I need to bring heavy clothes for sleeping.

take a sleeping bag, leave it partially unzipped and use it as a faux-top-quilt