VIDEO: Winter test in frigid, windy conditions and new low temp PR

**Rhody Seth** · 02-06-2023, 09:50

New England got a real taste of frigid conditions on Friday/Saturday as an artic cold front came and went, bringing with it subzero temps for the first time in some time here in Rhode Island. Seemed like a good excuse to set up the hammock, test my gear and see if I could set a new cold camping PR for myself.

Admittingly, it's sort of easy mode when you can set up your camp, return to your warm house and then head out at bedtime. And I was able to use a heavy synthetic bag with a claimed -40F value in the hammock in addition to two underquilts. Still the wind was fierce all night with some powerful gusts so I was happy to err on the side of caution.

I certainly was not cold this night - the bag and quilts kept me toasty. But the howling wind and popping of trees kept sleep at bay at times. I was happy with my tarp pitch was deadened the effects of the wind but my side tieouts loosened as the night went on. It's time to invest in a better system for those side ties - I'm thinking individual shock cord for each one. Having one long line for each side was my initial experiment but it's time to improve.

The biggest issue I had was that in the middle of the night I attempted to get up to pee and my calves seized up. I ended up dangling out of the hammock, legs locked up in a frozen, painful position. I sort of swung my frozen legs back into the hammock and abandoned the attempt. They were twitchy the rest of the night.

Anyone have any idea of the cramp issue? It happened to me in NH a few months back but I chalked it up to dehydration and the hard exertion of the day. I don't think I was sleeping with my legs elevated on this trip but maybe dehydration is still the culprit?

**iceman857** · 02-06-2023, 09:56

Ouch. Been there, experienced that. For me, I chalk it up to loss of electrolytes, which help with nerve conductance and are usually the cause of cramping for me. I used to be a runner, and always got debilitating cramps after mile 20 or so when running marathons. I'd recommend trying to consume some extra salts (my go-to happens to be LMNT).

-4 is my PR in a hammock, so -7 must have been brutal! Especially with the wind. Thanks for the video!

**psyculman** · 02-07-2023, 05:33

Thanks for putting up your video, I was hoping you would. I would have gotten my hot tent set up, but I had to go to work at 6am. It was -22 at my place with moderate wind. No glory.

**Rhody Seth** · 02-07-2023, 09:56

Originally Posted by iceman857

Ouch. Been there, experienced that. For me, I chalk it up to loss of electrolytes, which help with nerve conductance and are usually the cause of cramping for me. I used to be a runner, and always got debilitating cramps after mile 20 or so when running marathons. I'd recommend trying to consume some extra salts (my go-to happens to be LMNT).

-4 is my PR in a hammock, so -7 must have been brutal! Especially with the wind. Thanks for the video!

Several people have recommended more electrolyte so that's something I'll definitely try to increase on my next trip. The temp was not an issue at all, incredibly. The wind kept me up but even the huge gusts that rocked my hammock didn't seem to affect my warmth. Certainly the bag did most of the work but I have to think that stacking the under quilts really kept the wind at bay.

Originally Posted by psyculman

Thanks for putting up your video, I was hoping you would. I would have gotten my hot tent set up, but I had to go to work at 6am. It was -22 at my place with moderate wind. No glory.

Oof, -22° is a whole 'nother ballgame. But this test went well enough that in the right situation I could see myself giving those temps a shot!