Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Cincinnati, OH
    Hammock
    DIY gathered end
    Tarp
    Noah 9 so far
    Insulation
    30* bag as peapod
    Suspension
    Soon to be whoopie
    Posts
    66
    Images
    18

    Big South Fork Hang

    Pics below, but sorry, didn't get one of my hammock setup.

    Despite the doom that the weatherman predicted in this region for the weekend, we took off early Friday morning from Cincinnati and headed down to Big South Fork on the TN/KY border. We went to the TN side with reports it was nicer over there. 5 of us total, with me and my brother in law the only hangers (his first backpacking trip and first hammock experience). One of the guys didn't have a pack cover and improvised with a motorcycle cover on his already enormous external frame pack. Made for quite a few jokes, but the guy still hiked the legs off us, even with the cover acting like a sail against him.

    Got the park entrance visitor center about 11:00 and the sky's opened up with lightning and torrential downpours. Drove in on further to the Bandy Creek Visitor Center where we planned to leave from. Torrential rains gave us some time to chat up with the friendly ranger there. Very laid back park with just a $5 fee for our whole group to backpack the weekend.

    Got an opening in the weather and took off on the trail. Poor trail labeling combined with poor navigation on our part sent us down a gravel road for a few miles that we had to backtrack on before we got on the real trail and into some great hiking. Those from around the area who are familiar with the Red River Gorge would love this place as it is almost identical give or take a few elements, but with none of the people.

    We did not see a single person on the trails and we hiked 20+ in the weekend. Saw one camp up high by one of the overlooks with a hammock strung up, but didn't see anyone there.

    Found a great campsite that accommodated all 3 tents and 2 hammocks.

    I was trying a new setup this trip as I had used my HH in the past and wanted to use my DIY gathered in as it always felt more comfy. Sorry, no pics of my setup. Picked up an Eno Guardian net and have a Noah 9 for a tarp. Strung my suspension through my slumberjack 30 as it has a zip in the footbox and it worked great.

    The Noah 9 was great, although you can set up the HH with stock fly in some tight places where the Noah 9 needs a bit of room. Still worked awesome and sets up so much tighter.

    First night was steamy and had a bit of trouble cooling down as the slumberjack only zips halfway, but after midnight I slept great. Second night got cool from the get go and I conked out right away, but woke up about 4 with slightly cool feet. All in all I was more comfortable than the HH with pad, but will need to fine tune my temp controls a bit more.

    Weather turned out to be absolutely perfect. I like a little rain while out there as it just cleans everything up. We had everything under the sun, including some beautiful sunshine while out at the overlooks. The weather never got in the way, and provided great sleeping conditions except the first night being a little steamy.

    Awesome place, and if your around the area you have to go see it, especially if the frequent the Red River Gorge but loathe the crowds there.

    This was one of the first trips where I really didn't want to leave the woods. I usually am about ready to get home after 2 nights. I think it was due to a combo of my new setup, the great weather, and good people.

    Sitting here eating one of my leftover home made trail dinners wishing I was back in the woods.

    Andy











  2. #2
    Senior Member Bradley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    West Kootenay, BC
    Hammock
    NX-150 TX-150
    Tarp
    Vertex-Camo
    Insulation
    Z-Liner & DIY Pads
    Suspension
    Clark
    Posts
    1,557
    WoW . . .

    nice place, running creeks, cliffs, water falls, caves . . .

    and you even stopped to smell the flowers . . .

    VERY SWEET . . .

    Ooooohh boy, two of those packs look like a load and a half . . .

    Just makes me wishin I was there . . .

    Thanks for that.
    Bradley SaintJohn
    Flat Bottom Canoe
    Start A Biz

    The Transition from Ground Sleeping to Hammocks
    is the Conversion from Agony To Ecstasy,
    and Curing Ground-In-somnia.

    "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show you great and mighty things . . ." Jeremiah 33:3
    ΙΧΘΥΣ

  3. #3
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Cincinnati, OH
    Hammock
    DIY gathered end
    Tarp
    Noah 9 so far
    Insulation
    30* bag as peapod
    Suspension
    Soon to be whoopie
    Posts
    66
    Images
    18
    Yes, some folks were packing quite a load (had to be 50+ on some). I think I had 30 pounds (without water) and felt way over prepared. Got plenty of things to slim down on for next time.

    It truly is a gorgeous place.

  4. #4
    Herder of Cats OutandBack's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    8,761
    Images
    129
    Excellent report Great picts. Thanks for posting them.

  5. #5
    Senior Member mbiraman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    West Kootenays,BC,Canada
    Hammock
    Warbonnet BB DL 1.1 & Lite Owl
    Tarp
    Black MacCat Del.
    Insulation
    Yeti 3,4 & HRQ/HGB
    Suspension
    webbing/whoopie
    Posts
    4,244
    Images
    7
    great looking area,thanks for posting
    " The mind creates the abyss, the heart crosses it."

    “The measure of your life will not be in what you accumulate, but in what you give away.” ~Wayne Dyer

    www.birchsidecustomwoodwork.com

  6. #6
    Senior Member SkyPainter's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Stoneham, MA
    Hammock
    WBBB; WBRR; WBXLC;HH Exped
    Tarp
    Superfly; JRB Ulti
    Insulation
    HG TQ&UQ; AHE; WB
    Suspension
    Whoopies&Dutchware
    Posts
    3,660
    Images
    32
    SWEET trip and report! What a gorgeous area to hike in! Glad the weather cooperated for you guys. I just got back last night, and now I want to go back out again!
    Live Purposefully; Dare Greatly; Land Gently

    If you're going to do something wrong, go for it! - Beryl G.

    "Never knock on Death's door - just ring the bell and run. He hates that!"

  • + New Posts
  • Similar Threads

    1. Video: Big South Fork 2012 Reunion Hike-n-Hang
      By MedicineMan in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 38
      Last Post: 11-27-2012, 14:36
    2. Heading to hang Big South Fork NRRA
      By nfields260 in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 8
      Last Post: 03-22-2011, 16:34
    3. Big South Fork Hike & Hang Feb 2011
      By hangnout in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 8
      Last Post: 03-01-2011, 20:26
    4. Big South Fork TN/KY Hike Hang Feb 25 -?
      By hangnout in forum Hangouts, Campouts, and Trip Planning
      Replies: 4
      Last Post: 02-20-2011, 19:51
    5. Big South Fork Hike and Hang
      By rasputen in forum Hangouts, Campouts, and Trip Planning
      Replies: 62
      Last Post: 02-21-2008, 19:44

    Tags for this Thread

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •