Things I learned at the spring MAHA

[tgreening]

I learned that I love my Clark for its all-in-one package. The storm shield is the shiz-nit and is like having a second tarp. It really helps to hold heat in. I also learned that the standard tarp on the standard North American is woefully inadequate for anything other than strictly keeping in the hammock dry. If it's raining, and especially windy and raining, don't try to get anything done under it and expect to stay dry.

I learned that a fair amount of my gear is not suitable for back pack camping. My old LL Bean sleeping bag, while good enough to keep me toasty down to at least 33 deg, is fairly heavy and packs down to the size of a small buffalo. The 95 litre Gregory pack I needed to have a snowballs chance of humping everything I "thought" I needed tips the scales at close to 7 lbs. I have a 60 litre that might do the trick once I manage to scale back the bulk and weight, but I really kind of liked the Aarn pack that WV was good enough to let me paw all over.

I learned that odds are I'm not going to need any sort of elaborate, read expensive, underquilt to keep me warm. I used a Big Agnes insulated inflatable under my bag and I NEVER felt cold on my bottom side. Once I receive the BA down bag that goes along with the pad I don't envision needing anything more than a closed cell in addition, or maybe a thin synthetic underquilt (thanks MacIntyre!). Both together will be several orders of magnitude cheaper than a good quality underquilt.

I learned that I will probably NEVER be convinced to switch to an alcohol stove. I don't think I can stand the smell. Man, those things reek! No offense to the aficionados but not for me, thanks. I was quite happy with my compact, convenient, and quite easy to use jetboil. A wood-burner for back-up maybe, but no alcohol.


I learned that at least "some" tent campers don't mind hanging their bear bag 20' away from your hammock. Maybe they thought I was a tree taco or something.

[MacEntyre]

(thanks MacIntyre!)

You are entyrely welcome!

I hope the down UQ makers don't read your post... I'll be in big trouble!

- MacEntyre

[WV]

Your observations are clear and insightful. They demonstrate how everyone - new posters and geezers alike - contribute to the sharing of knowledge on this forum. Every perspective is valuable. I look forward to hearing more from you. (Did everybody notice the absence of confusing acronyms in tgreening's post? )

[Hawk-eye]

.... (Did everybody notice the absence of confusing acronyms in tgreening's post? )

IMHO that's a good point!
Need to spend HT in my DIY ENO Clone or my HH MOD and recover from the thought

[Hawk-eye]

Sorry WV ... I ain't right ... I can't resist the urges or voices in my head sometimes

[HappyCamper]

At each hang I learn there are a lot of guys who sew better than I do.

[MedicineMan]

alcohol stove stink? seriously? why have i never noticed this? anyone else smell alcohol stoves in operation?

[HappyCamper]

What fuel have you tried, MM? I use denatured alcohol and can't complain. But then I usually sit back from my stove.

[Adia]

I learned a lot. I learned that for a little as i am and as roomy as my scout was, when you add 2 sleeping bags, a pad, and a down throw blanket....it is very tiny. I learned that i REALLY need a zipper mod (my scout is headed out for that soon). I also learned a lot from all the folks out there, but i think the most important thing i learned was that hammock folks are the best type of people....Helpful, and super nice...i couldn't have had a better weekend.

[Just Jeff]

I notice the smell of alcohol stoves...I'd call it "peculiar" rather than "too stinky to use" but I definitely notice it. Not any worse than smelling pits and feet on a two day hike!