Winter camping in a hammock requires some pre-thought in several arenas...water freezing being the one you've mentioned. Along with that one is the concern about other items you need to protect from freezing or maybe just keep somewhat warm. Items like your toothpaste, first aid ointment, camera and extra battery, alcohol fuel (makes a difference when trying to light it off in the morning), other battery operated devices...Steripen, mp3 player, digital thermometer or NOAA weather radio, etc. What about items you just want to keep close to you when your in the hammock? Items like your flashlight, gun if you carry, or wallet. These and other concerns may lead you in the direction I went....a Ribz pack. All this stuff, plus two 16 oz Nalgene bottles of near boiling water all fit in it. That's usually more water than I need for b-fast the next morning or throughout the night to keep me hydrated.
As others have mentioned, the warm bottles keep you warm and guarantee unfrozen water in the morning, and if you have to get up for some reason to visit the outhouse, the Ribz pack goes with you, with all the personal items at your fingertips. I wear my Ribz pack under my jacket throughout the day to keep the stuff warm and keep track of all the little stuff that otherwise finds its way to the bottom of my pack. Just a thought.
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