Gear test via Kayak

[xtrm611]

Couldn't take it any more. Tired of hangn in the garage since the mountains around here are still full of snow. Decided to knock the dust off the kayak, threw the gear into a pack and went to the local river here. There are some islands in the river and what better way to get the new gear outside. Paddled up river to one of the islands, explored around a while since I hadn't been on this island before. Picked a spot and set up. Hung out a while tweaking and relaxing in the hammock. Was nice to get out and better yet, mess with the gear. Figured a few things out and going to change others. Was a nice outing!

[BigE94]

Sounds like a great day, I am envious. I used to paddle way back when, but haven't been out in a long time. Looks like you had a beautiful day. Great looking setup.

[johnspenn]

Looks like you had a great day! I find myself planning trips with built-in hammock time, just to be able to relax and nap!

[cougarmeat]

It looks like your TQ is hugging the hammock at the foot end. Do you rig it that way - sort of a semi-pod?

[xtrm611]

It looks like your TQ is hugging the hammock at the foot end. Do you rig it that way - sort of a semi-pod?

Kind of an optical illusion, that's the draft collar on the UQ. Inner shell of UQ is the same color as the outer shell of the TQ. A lot of gray and orange going on!

[drifter]

That is one fine looking location.

[xtrm611]

That is one fine looking location.

It's not to bad of spot, prefer the mountains tho.

[swoody126]

was this outing an excuse to get on the water, hang out a bit or sort the kit out a bit?

sw

[xtrm611]

was this outing an excuse to get on the water, hang out a bit or sort the kit out a bit?

sw

ALL OF THE ABOVE!

[cougarmeat]

My experience on the water - up in the San Juans, west of Bellingham WA - is I want at least a UQP if not a full sock. After carefully setting my tarp broadside to the wind (when possible), I've had the wind change direction. Usually Kayak campsite are closer to shore rather than inland and the wind picks up a chill flowing over the water. The UQP protects the UQ from any rain that makes it under the tarp and allows me to be a little sloppy in cinching up the UQ. I favored a sock because I didn't have a tarp with doors. Now I have doors so the UQ should be enough.

Also, if I don't know for absolutely sure there will be hammock trees, I carry a Plan B in case I have to go to ground. Sometimes there is just a shell beach or rocky shelf. The Plan B doesn't have to be a full tent. I could get by with the tarp (using collapsible poles for support) and a sleeping pad on a ground sheet. If there were skeeters, I could use the hammock as a bivi bag and suspend the bug net like I do the tarp.

For a long time I wondered how to carry the bulky pad (I use a UQ with the hammock). I found, after pushing the air out and closing the valve, I could put it on the kayak floor under my heels, or (again, once all the air is out) fold it in half length-wise, then roll it. Folds to a cylinder that is easy to stow.