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I don’t know if this is as effective, but I will go for a dip in the creek to lower my overall body temp when it is that hot. Plus, the evaporative effect continues cooling me as I go to sleep.

I recalled a forum member making a video about hammock length versus comfort. I found it way back in my YouTube history:

https://youtu.be/SuSOIWd1Gfw

I remember it because I used it with great success! Back then, there was a cottage vendor that sold underquilt shells.

I found an old Thaw (later became North Face) sleeping bag with a faded...

Good job summarizing your project. You make it very understandable... I have a bipod stand that I made, but plan to build one like yours in the near future.

I think it will work well if I go car...

I found the original thread. I can attest that Drifter’s methods work...


Working Down
...

I recall a thread on Hammock Forums where a guy built a PVC “T” device using a sink T that has a divert split inside. I built one.

Then you blow a vacuum exhaust across the T that lets you vacuum...

I haven’t saved much on Tarps, but have created other gear on a budget.

Back when they were available, I purchased two underquilt shells for about $50 each (I think).

I found an old sleeping...

While trying to learn and balance with my attempt at the stand, I snapped one of the aluminum sections in 1/2. Time to study a little more to ensure I have the correct setup and amount of finesse.

Greetings from the Rocket City (Huntsville)! There are some nice folks around here.

But keep your 20 degree. It is perfect for Alabama winters and early spring/fall!

I also recall it is a short hike to reach water if you camp at Sawmill. It was a spring gushing forth from the rocks, and it was at least .25 miles? We had a gravity filter bag so I filled it and...

My friend texted me last night and said let’s go hang, the low will only be 37F.

I have about 10 acres on a mountain overlooking my city. We loaded up some winter gear and drove up to my property...

That owned me.... LOL!

My Rhodesian Ridgeback loves to go. She also carries her backpack with food, a bowl, and a small sleeping mat. At 60 pounds, she sleeps on the ground and is happy to do so.
It is cool to see her...

With the sound off (at work) the video still made me smile. Looks like y'all had a great time.
Thanks for sharing and for introducing me to a new trail system near my area. I will have to check it...

Love this!

In regards to spending a lot of money on solutions... I spent money on supplies to make my own gear at a significant reduction.

This. Owned. Me.

ROFLMAO!

Your iPhone compass also has a level that you can use to determine the slope of our hammock.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170712/dec89e71a4fa59ceb8f452deb14c6c84.jpg

...

Dutch, received my 10 yards of Wide Argon Sil an matching thread... it is better than Amazon Prime Day! :-)

Success! I had to order a slant shank adapter from eBay that is a plastic adapter, but it works. I was able to sew about 6 inches of a good looking rolled hem (I always used to freehand it).
...

This thread and Jellyfish's videos have been quite helpful. I picked up the set of rolled hem feet that JackM purchased, but discovered sewing machines come in three varieties: High Shank, Low Shank,...

It is totally doable in dry weather. We have crossed the bridge and hiked down Borden Creek to 209 and Fall Creek when the Borden level was way too high to cross.

The amount of mud when wet can...

Http://www.alapark.com/monte-sano-state-park

Overall Monte Sano is very convenient to Huntsville. It is the type of campground that has a bathhouse.

It is a pleasant site with good views and hiking trails.

Hot Hands for winter camping.

My top quilt is the Wally World down bag converted by removing the hood and zipper and adding some goose down. It is about a 25 degree quilt now...

Also, if you are hiking any distance, dehydration can make throat issues worse. I have even had my uvula swell up, which make it difficult to lay flat. I thought I had drank enough water, but I had...

Yup! Those rat snakes aren't the worry, but they are out so are the copperheads.

We did a day hike today leaving from the picnic area. There were probably only 6 vehicles in the parking lot.

We hiked to Borden creek, went up the creek a ways, the backtracked to hike to Fall...

As always, a great trip report! As much time that I have spent around Fall Creek Falls and up Fall Creek, I have never found the boundary marker. I will have to search for it...

I think I will want several sizes. For a hammock, I would estimate either 3/8 or 1/2 if I am adding a knotty mod (probably 3/8). 1/8 would be too small to fish the elastic through.

For a top quilt, I use a hybrid. I bought a cheap 32 degree down sleeping bag (Walmart when they used to sell them). I cut off the zipper and hood. Then I opened the seams and added more down.

It...

I was thinking it was about 35 of us. My son and I left Saturday, but others were just arriving!

I'm bringing a giant iced Halloween cookie and some chips from Sams. We can't risk going hungry [emoji39]

I will also bring a two burner propane stove. My alcohol backpacking stove it really small, but I always have it with me. I am sure everybody will share.

FYI, you are correct about the wood stove.

I have a question: Does Wolf Pens have a water spigot, or do I need to bring a container of water?

abatis: I doubt it... I wouldn't worry about it much....

Hey everybody! I know I am a late add. My son has a "mini Fall Break" and wants to camp. We talked about the group hang versus backpacking. Since it is so dry, we decided not the group hang. We plan...

It is one of the best pillows I have tried, but it is pretty big as mentioned above. My large pillow weighs about 9 ounces, and I use it often.

I also have a small DIY pillow that is only 3...

Just so I don't get anybody into trouble, here are the rules from the Alabama Forestry Website [emoji269].

A Drought Emergency can be declared when a Fire Alert fails to control a wildfire...

Ditto. It is way too dry to lift the ban. They had a sizable wildfire in Little River Canyon last weekend. Maybe take a BBQ grill?

I don't belong believe I have ever seen it that dry on Borden Creek, even in winter.

LOL I just couldn't let his use of the term pass without a quip...

Yup! I love sleeping naked in my hammock too... Oh, wait, you didn't mean THAT!
[emoji1]

I don't know about the weight of the hex kit, but I made the asym tarp in these plans. Using standard width silnylon, it weighs 7 ounces with the zing-it tie outs. It is definitely a fair weather...

I agree on the Thermarest. It is a bit older model, but I even take it for weekend rentals... Just in case the condo, etc. has bad pillows. It has great loft though! I weigh everything in my pack, so...

I used a medium Themarest pillow, which was very comfy but weighs 9 ounces. I made a DIY small pillow with leftover ripstop and synthetic pillow stuffing at 3 ounces total. A very small pillow is...

There is a creek nearby that feeds the waterfall, which in turn drops into the Sipsey River.

To state some of the same... If you are going to the East side of the forest, Borden Creek to Big Tree is about 5 miles one way. You need a good map, because there are a couple of trails to get...

Take some of those larger Hot Hands (body size I believe). Once you exceed the UQ rating it doesn't do anything to protect you. A blue foam pad will help if you can't upgrade your UQ. I would work in...

I picked up two at the Huntsville, AL Costco. My goal is to replace my JCP Puffer jacket quilt for those 50-60 degree F nights. I have a pretty good 20-25 degree top quilt from a Wally World sleeping...