The TQ GrizzBeak gets my applause. If you remember I beta tested Griz's prototypes on a 150 mile section hike on the AT in October. My only complaint to Griz was that I only had one. I didn't know that the beak could be improved but TQ/ZQ had done it by making it more material efficient, removing the unneeded tab to connect two beaks, and by the wrap around of the bottom of the beak and the corner of the tarp reinforcing them both. Here is a pic of the TQ GrizzBeakS in action:
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...hp?i=8430&c=14
I set up the tarp and the Grizbeaks to the ground, a tradeoff of more condensation (the amount which didn't bother me) for warmth; Sunday morning it was 16-17F in my tarp and 9.6F at the shelter!
Also seen in the same photo is another mod that abs. rules. I think I can thank Dutch, TQ and Griz for the evolution of this mod and Prof.Griz for making it reality..this mod is the center pole, and you'll notice that the mid-section of the tarp is not pushed in! The amount of room gained is like those fancy shower curtains in some hotels...it is very useful not only for storage but also in shedding snow much better than without. The pole used is a pole I use in a Hilleberg Akto and it's made by Fibraplex and weights 2.2 ounces.
My next favorite piece of gear on this trip was this:
water bottle
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...hp?i=8429&c=14
I've been winter camping for over 3 decades and never used this trick...fill the bottle, put in fire, get to roiling boil, put in sock, put in waterproof roll top bag, put in hammock and enjoy the heat all night! In the morning each day I had water that was still warm, purified and ready to drink. As a side note, inside the tarp I scraped out a small trench big enough for a 1 quart Mtn. Dew bottle, put a small ccf pad over it in the trench, then coverd it with 5-6 inches of snow...that bottle too was unfrozen the next morning...so I had 2 quarts of water readily available.
The next novel piece of gear used was the hammock sock from the angel Unsponsored, I've already posted a review of it but here is a pic for McIntyre:
hammocksock
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...hp?i=8428&c=14
The last piece of gear used that I abs. loved (sorry no pic) was the Neos long Overboots. As soon as I got my 'house' set up I switched to these. Inside of the Neos was a double fleece liner and in the bottom 1inch egg crate ccf--feet never got cold the entire time.
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