my first night out with all my new gear in 20 degree weather
between thanksgiving and christmas i racked up on some new gear. i got a long New River Under Quilt (i was wrong about the incubator, its what i really wanted and the name stuck with me) and a superfly tarp and a bunch of amsteel and zingit to tie it all together. i already had a 20 degree long sleeping bag.
for new years i went up to kentucky to help my friend's family move. we planned to camp out for a few nights on their land. things got busy in the move and we only had 1 night to camp but we made the most of it. we hiked out across the field, crossed a frigid stream, and went deep into the woods to get to a good spot to set up camp. we chose this path so it wouldn't be easy to run back to the house if it got too cold. listening to the sound of a stream while sleeping sure beats the sound of a highway at my local camping spot.
http://imgur.com/vlnnJ
http://imgur.com/xQofL
it was the first time i had even unpacked the tarp, but that thing is well made and turned out to be easy to set up. my only issue was that while setting it up i forgot how to properly tie a knot and my hands were cold. it made me understand the value of a dutch hook (or whatever its called). but i just need more practice.
you can see my friend's setup in the background. he was using my extra hammock gear and the tarp from his tent. no rain in the forecast, but gotta block the wind. for warmth he used his sleeping bag and thermarest pad, he is mainly a tent camper but is coming to the hanging side too.
http://imgur.com/Cvz0P
i was using the yukon hammock with the incubator underquilt. its a bit longer than the eno double nest so it fits me a bit better at 6'4". my friend was using the eno.
we both had a good night sleep and stayed warm throughout the night.
i also went down to the rei store in nashville tn, to look at backpacks. those guys are so helpful and nice. they helped me for over an hour trying on different many backpacks trying to find the right fit for my tall slender frame. i ended up getting a larger and more expencive backpack than i wanted but walked out totally happy with my purchases. i had to give a good word for them. i wish we had an rei in mississippi.
this forum has helped me so much with my setup, so i wanted to say thanks to everyone here. i'm totally hooked and looking forward to my next outing.
EDIT: i also had a dream that night that i wanted to share:
so i'm in the back seat of a car. i'm not sure who was driving and no one was in the passenger seat. we are stopped somewhere and all the sudden david blaine comes to the passenger window and starts scratching around the border of the window. i pick up an ice pick from the floor and tell him if he comes in the car i am going to stab him. well he continues picking at the window then all the sudden POOF he is in the front seat of the car without opening the door. so i stab him in the neck with the ice pick. after that he says "ok now watch this trick" and picks up an unopened can of coke. he puts the bottom of it on my chest over my heart and opens the can of coke and blasts a hole through my chest. then i wake up and had to pee really bad.
