Heating in hammocks

[big_swede]

During the short but nice outing this weekend I did my first wilderness hammocking. On the train down to the town where Micheal (zie cumbrian) were supposed to pick me up I realised I had forgotten some key items, namely my wool shirt (things got a bit colder than anticipated) and my stretcher bag (which is basically a rectangular version of a sleeping bag, very similar to a underblanket, thing could hence get even colder).

Anyway, after I had ben assured that sleeping bag and sleeping mat would be fine for the around zero temps I was sitting by the fire. And suddently I got a struck by a good idea, this happens more and more seldom so I was impressed myself. Sitting by the fire, as I said, I thought that my old trick of using stones from the fire in the sleeping bag could provide some nice warmth if the temperatures plummeted. I have used this trick a lot, either with really hot stones under a raised bed or more moderately warm stones stuffed in woolen socks and tucked closed to the body under a blanket. After presenting my idea to micheal he also assured me that it was not only possible to get a nice warmth, it was also possible to get a few nice holes in my new hammock! :o

I wouldn't that remark get me down so a few tens of minutes before we were getting in bed I pulled out a few stones out of the fire, damn werw they hot! I settled for four stones, and had to come up with some ways of protecting my delicate skin from becoming loose from my flesh and my flesh full of blisters. My thick outer socks (knitted by my dear mother) proved to be very good stone insulators, so good that the sooty and ashy stones refused to come out in the morning. For the remaining two stones I used my gaiters. Not as good as the thicker socks, although I suspect they weren't as damaged by the stones as my woolen footwear.

As a first time hammocker I had feared that getting in to the sleeping bag, in the bivvy, in the hammock would be a challenge. As I am no stranger to challenges I decided that I would increase the stakes by not only introducing hot stones into the equation but also a slight alcohol influence and a compact darkness. Keeping two hot stones, now somewhat protected by my gaiters, in the foot end of sleeping bag, placed in inclination inside a hammock while desperately trying to crawl into the sleeping bag seemed to be quite manageable. After the initial crawling and worming around I could easily lift the sock stones of the ground and place them were I wanted them. Victory! Or so I thought.

After I had messed about and constantly moving the stones around inside my sleeping bag I found that one stone at my feet, one at my bum, and two around my torso would seem optimal. I couldn't be more precise than my torso due to the fact that those two stones were b****y hot and had to be moved constantly for the first 20 minutes. After the initial 30 minutes testing I realised that I was heat panicing in the bag and I had to open it up to get some air. After some more rearranging of clothing and stones I could close it and fell into a comfortable sleep. It was not until the early morning when three of the four stones had went cold that I awoke, and that was probably mainly due to the difference in temperature because a hour later I fell asleep again without any problems with the colder temperatures in my sleeping bag.

So if you're thinking about a way of raising the temperature in the hammock or lowering your comfort zone for hammocking I could recommend using hot stones inside your setup. Sort of at least.

[Shewie]

I'll stick to my platypus thanks BS but thanks for the giggle anyway :)

How did you find the sleeping in the hammock then ?

[Toddy]

:lmao: :D

What a great way to find out :cool:
I have visions of you writhing in a hammock trying to get everything settled, trying not to get burnt and not fall out too.

Not very bushcrafty I know, but I use the little clicker heat pads when it's bitter cold when I'm camping. Bring them to a boil the next morning and they reset themselves :) One in each sock, and cuddle round a couple and it makes a tremendous difference.
Not hot stones mind you :D

cheers,
Toddy

[redandshane]

Hot stones in a hammock? lol Not for me

[Dangerous Dan]

Thanks for the post. I wonder if wrapping the rocks aluminium foil might help reduce heat loss? Firstly to make them a bit more comfortable to handle and secondly maybe let them heat for longer. I don't know but I'll give a go this coming week.

[The Cumbrian]

Taking a couple of burlap sacks might save your socks from singeing. I thought that you were wriggling about trying to get comfortable, not to prevent burns.

Cheers, Michael.

[big_swede]

I should have sacrificied my wrap to the log man. That way it would probably worked out easier.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2713/4183726147_c125f1b377_o.jpg

[scubapauly]

OMG I have enough trouble wriggling around in the sleeping bag, in the hammock without worrying about bivvi AND hot rocks lol.

To be honest even in November I was quite warm enough laying on the thermarest with the sleeping bag completely unzipped and wrapped round me. Maybe its all my natural padding keeping me warm ;)

[Graham_S]

I've used the clicker pads in extreme conditions (for the uk that is, -10 or so)
If I'm out on really cold weather, I always change into fresh dry thermals before going to bed, and arrange the clothes I was wearing around me to dry them out overnight.

[Toddy]

Sorry, just had a thought.............was BigSwede a, *hanging hangi* ,then ? :D:D

cheers,
M

[big_swede]

Sorry, just had a thought.............was BigSwede a, *hanging hangi* ,then ? :D:D

cheers,
M

LOL, well, I could have been.. :D

[Melonfish]

nice post big_swede!
must admit for heat i use those hand warmers (clicker pads?) 3 of them strategically placed can keep you warm for a long time and as Toddy says, boil em up again in the morning and you not only have a hand warmer (unactivated) for a while but they're ready to use at night too.
saves juggling hot rocks ;)

[big_swede]

nice post big_swede!
must admit for heat i use those hand warmers (clicker pads?) 3 of them strategically placed can keep you warm for a long time and as Toddy says, boil em up again in the morning and you not only have a hand warmer (unactivated) for a while but they're ready to use at night too.
saves juggling hot rocks ;)


I've used the clicker pads in extreme conditions (for the uk that is, -10 or so)
If I'm out on really cold weather, I always change into fresh dry thermals before going to bed, and arrange the clothes I was wearing around me to dry them out overnight.

My experiences with the heating pads are quite limited but those I have used have gone cold in less than an hour. The stones lasted for around 6-7 hours. It all depends on your needs though. I rather use the rather fail proof rocks than anything I will have to carry and make sure doesn't go bust.

I have seen some hand warmer utilising smoldering coal rods, that could probably work in a hammock, I think they provide warmth for a bit longer than the clicker pads. Although it's still a few more other items to keep in line. Hopefully I will be able to use my stretcher bag as an underblanket, although I might settle for ground dwelling, so I can use a fire, if it gets a lot colder.

[Shewie]

I have seen some hand warmer utilising smoldering coal rods, that could probably work in a hammock, I think they provide warmth for a bit longer than the clicker pads. Although it's still a few more other items to keep in line. Hopefully I will be able to use my stretcher bag as an underblanket, although I might settle for ground dwelling, so I can use a fire, if it gets a lot colder.

I've had one of the charcoal ones since I was a kid, they're pretty good and the fuel rods are cheap enough. I usually get about 3 to 4 hours warmth from them but less when it's really cold. They should do well in a hammock though, I'll have to give it a go sometime.

[gsfgaz]

i take my electric blanket plugged in to the genny.... haa haaa

[dougoutcanoe]

The coal stick type handwarmers give off enough CO "carbon monoxide" to be dangerous to your health. :yikes:

My wife used one and nearly passed out while driving an unheated car one winter.

You may not wake up!!!!!!:hammock::angel:

Dougoutcanoe

[Spikey DaPikey]

I really think it'll be hard to die of CO2 in a hammock, or even a car for that matter from one little handwarmer :werd:

[Thijzzz]

The charcoal ones never worked for me, I had them in my pockets when fishing and they always went out - maybe because of too little air getting to them.

I'd use the clicker pads, since the charcoal ones can open up if you don't put them in the little bag they come in. And that little bag prevents oxygen getting to them. But I'd hate to think of what an open charcoals heater would do to your bag and hammock.....and flesh! :tapedshut

The stones are a nice idea though, tricky but clever. I guess you'd have to lay still and not move around too much.

"Hanging hangi" ? I think that's the difference between being toasTY and toastED. :D:D:D

[Sleepy Weasel]

My mate has his dog in with him to keep him warm in his hammock, he gets in then holds the door open and calls her and she jumps right in and stretches out with him.

I swear by having a 1 litre Nalgene bottle fulll of hot water with me. This has the added advantage of having some warm water in the morning to cut down on the time taken to get a brew on.

[Native Nathan]

I use my water bottle, filled with HOT water.

It has two advantages, it keeps me warm all night and it stops the water in my 58patt water bottle from freezing.
:hammock::campfire:

[Miyagi]

I've never used a hammock but have read all the hamock related posts with interest. Might be something I'll convert to.

Couldn't hot stones be placed on the ground below the hammock allowing their heat to rise from underneath?

Just a thought.

[Native Nathan]

The heat given off by radiation through the air, is cooled too quickly by the air to be of any benifit when it reaches the Hammock,

It alos depends on how high you like your Hammock / Tarp off the ground.

[Miyagi]

The heat given off by radiation through the air, is cooled too quickly by the air to be of any benifit when it reaches the Hammock,

It alos depends on how high you like your Hammock / Tarp off the ground.

I should have realised that. :)

Doh!!!..

cheers anyway

[Ogri the trog]

I think the trick to hammocking is to mimimise the heat loss, rather than be able to generate heat through artificial means.
A hammock is a whole different set of issues to a tent or bivi, a number of issues are as follows:
1, in sleeping in the bottom of a "U" shaped bag, you place youself at the lowest point of a "cold well".
2, in order to gain ventilation, an opening above your face is necessary - though this soon becomes a chimney for all the warm air within your sleeping space.
3, even small holes created at the ends of the hammock/insulation/support points can cause a recycling of warm air out / cold air in convection or draught.
4, the balance between sufficient insulation and the risk of condensation or overheating is very delicate - the ability to adjust the insulation frm within the hammock itself is a great advantage.

I can't say that what works for me will work for other folk, but its like treating the whole thing as a scientific experiment, with constant little adjustments to see if things change, keeping the bits that make the most difference and discarding those that have negative effects.

That said, I'm keeping the hot stone trick in mind for when conditions dictate!

Have fun experimenting!

Ogri the trog

[drewdunnrespect]

guys warmth for me is a simple solution that consists (and it might not work for every one) of a hammock, underblanket, foam roll mat, silk sleeping bag liner, snugpack antarctic RE with genuine issue bivi bag round that. now thats toasty

now then if it got deathly cold what i would do is heat some water in my 58 pat water bottle and then put that in my bag and be toasty again

but will definatly keep the hot rocks in mind

drew

[shovel reccy]

hi all every one is going on about layers, hot rocks/ and so on why not just lower the set up drop one side of your tarp then have a fire with a reflector. works well try it.

[Native Nathan]

guys warmth for me is a simple solution that consists (and it might not work for every one) of a hammock, underblanket, foam roll mat, silk sleeping bag liner, snugpack antarctic RE with genuine issue bivi bag round that. now thats toasty

now then if it got deathly cold what i would do is heat some water in my 58 pat water bottle and then put that in my bag and be toasty again

but will definatly keep the hot rocks in mind

drew


You mean its actually possible to get cold with that set up............lol:)

[Ratbag]

When winter camping I often fill my Nalgene bottles (usually 2 of them) with hot water, screw the tops on tight and use them as hot water bottles in the sleeping bag - one for the torso and one for the feet. Of course, you can wrap them up in a jumper or sock if they are too hot initially. They stay warm for a good long while and, as a bonus, make sure that you've got drinkable water for a brew first thing. This can be real handy if you're somewhere really cold and your water would otherwise freeze.
Cheers
Rat

[sticks65]

When winter camping I often fill my Nalgene bottles (usually 2 of them) with hot water, screw the tops on tight and use them as hot water bottles in the sleeping bag - one for the torso and one for the feet. Of course, you can wrap them up in a jumper or sock if they are too hot initially. They stay warm for a good long while and, as a bonus, make sure that you've got drinkable water for a brew first thing. This can be real handy if you're somewhere really cold and your water would otherwise freeze.
Cheers
Rat
I do the same but wrap mine in my shemagh.:)

As you have said good for drinking water in the morning and stops it freezing too.

[mitch66]

hi,i use a s-boston hand warmer it run's on lighter fluid or panel wipe ( i use a primus multi fuel stove, so i already have the fuel) one fill will last 24 hours at 75c. about £26 but worth it. later carl

[The Cumbrian]

As I'm now the proud owner of a pair of Big Swede's handmade socks, I'll comment on his method of warming a hammock after my first good night's sleep, or visit to casualty...

Cheers, Michael.

[ged]

When winter camping I often fill my Nalgene bottles (usually 2 of them) with hot water, screw the tops on tight and use them as hot water bottles in the sleeping bag - one for the torso and one for the feet. Of course, you can wrap them up in a jumper or sock if they are too hot initially. They stay warm for a good long while and, as a bonus, make sure that you've got drinkable water for a brew first thing.

The one thing that worries me about that is the lid coming off in the night while I'm asleep. If the water is very hot you could be badly burned and at best you'd have wet bedding. But my main reason for chipping in is to say that speaking scientifically, water does have a lot going for it. The heat capacity of water per unit mass is way bigger than anything else you're likely to have so for a given amount of 'stuff', water will keep you hotter for longer. For example, water has a heat capacity about eight times greater than steel, five times higher than granite and three times more than clay. Those comparisons refer to weight, and probably in this application volume is a fairer comparison since you're unlikely to be lugging a sack of nails or stones around with you. Water isn't so dense, but by volume it still wins by a factor of more than two over granite and about 50% over clay. It's about the same as steel by volume although you can't drink the steel in the morning and you probably won't be able to find a convenient lump lying on the ground. Water can get dangerously hot, but nothing like as hot as metals and and rocks can - as we've heard.

The upshot of all this is that I take a couple of hot water bottles with me when I camp in cold weather. My SO made them nice tailored jackets and I stay toasty warm all night. :) Without jackets or some other insulation around them, in a sleeping bag you're much too hot at first and they're nearly cold by morning, when I find I a bit of a lift before I crawl out of bed very welcome. Getting technical again, I think I need ten watts or so if the conditions aren't too bad. You can easily get that out of a hot water bottle. For comparison I have a heated jacket for the bike and it gives about 40 watts flat out, which in my winter bike gear (its insulation performance is similar to that of a sleeping bag) is too hot at freezing point with a 100mph wind chill. A human at rest gives off about 80 watts.

Apart from lugging it to the camp site (which doesn't bother me, I travel by motorcycle for most of the camping I do) the only trouble with a proper hot water bottle is that you can't drink the water in the morning. If you want to do that you could use say a 2 litre bottle like the ones they sell water in, but the water wouldn't have to be too hot when you fill it or the bottle would go all wriggly.

Finally a hot water bottle is great for airing damp clothes. Just wrap the damp clothes (or sleeping bag or whatever) around it.