I'm approaching 560 posts, and I've failed to ever properly introduce myself. Some of you know me through PM's, e-mails, and phone conversations, and the rest of you I probably just annoy. For anyone who I haven't covered...
My grandfather had about 40 acres of wooded land, 5 of which were a pond. My father used to take me camping in one of the clearings there, where he would setup one of those net hammocks. I haven't asked, but I'm sure he froze out there and I recall him spending most of the night by the fire.
So, when I started camping as a teenager, it was just natural to take a hammock with me or I slept under a tarp. Most of these trips were in warm weather, so I never really froze. But when my buddy from Junior High and I decided to try the Skokeys in October, I sincerely thought hypothermia would defeat me. That's when I started watching Shug's videos and learned all about pads and underquilts.
A month later, my daughter was born, and I signed up here with the sole intent to find out from Shug what kind of video camera he used. I never would have thought I'd break double-digit posts on a forum about one topic, especially such a simple one invented thousands of years ago. But, the atmosphere and personalities made me stay.
I spent some time as a pilot, and as a State Trooper, from which I derive my name. I'm now living in Southeast Michigan with my wife, daughter, and two German Shepherds. With work, family, and trying to restore a 1920's house, I don't get the opportunity to get away as much as I like. It is especially hard to justify leaving my warm bed and wife and daughter at home to sleep in the cold woods, but my backyard doesn't look like this:
Hopefully I'll get a chance to meet more of you in person. I can't remember who said it first, but I hike because I camp--I don't camp because I hike. So if you need someone to hang with in the Backcountry, feel free to send me a message.
~Trooper
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