VIDEO - Operation: My house is my trail head

[Doody]

This weekend I tried something new. There is a conservation area a few miles outside of town that has a couple "primitive" camping areas. There is a bike trail a few blocks from my house that links up with a river trail that runs into the conservation trail. This weekend I decided to lump all these trails together and have a hike that literally started at my doorstep. It turned out pretty nice. The weather was great, I didn't see a sole until my way back this morning. Night time low was 18F (-8C) and WINDY but my superfly, winter incubator and winter burrow, and a piece of reflectix under my but served me well.

[lubbockhammockguy]

Nice video and nice trip report

[OutandBack]

Really enjoyed that.
Thanks for the axe splitting tip.

[HamMike]

Hey Doody! Nice overnighter. How far from your doorstep to the campsite?

[nothermark]

Looked like fun! Nice to have a handy test site. ;-)

[Bruciehi5]

That was top notch! Like you said, it’s nice to be able to hike from home and leave the car at home. I noticed you were using a stick to hold what you were chopping. That’s an obvious and simple idea that I have never thought of. I’ll remember to use that trick, if I ever have a fire (not a big fire fan). Thanks for the video, Doody!

[Rabid Deer]

Great trip report! Isn't winter camping great? I love how you don't have to worry about bugs or poison ivy. Even better, you don't have to worry about other people because there's rarely anyone else camping. I live in MN and I think winter camping has become my favorite. Although, this is my first summer with a hammock, so we'll see.

[Buenos]

Great minds think a lie. I just finished a trip like yours, where I just left right from my house as well. It's good to take advantage of of what's at hand. Great report.

Camera batteries are a hassle in the cold. The pocket trick's a good one, tried and true!

[Doody]

Nice video and nice trip report

It was a nice way to spend the weekend. Thanks for watching!

Really enjoyed that.
Thanks for the axe splitting tip.

I'm no expert by any means, but my biggest piece of advice is to process all your small kindling and split pieces when building your first fire. Then the morning fire is going in a jiffy.

Hey Doody! Nice overnighter. How far from your doorstep to the campsite?

I'm not sure but I doubt more than 5 miles.

Looked like fun! Nice to have a handy test site. ;-)

I will definitely go back there.

That was top notch! Like you said, it’s nice to be able to hike from home and leave the car at home. I noticed you were using a stick to hold what you were chopping. That’s an obvious and simple idea that I have never thought of. I’ll remember to use that trick, if I ever have a fire (not a big fire fan). Thanks for the video, Doody!

Tap splitting is a quick, safe way to process wood. In warm weather I usually just gather branches and break them up for a small fire to keep the mossies down if I make one at all. In the winter, I want a warming fire. Split wood offers up more surface area and exposes the driest part of the wood, so you can get a good hot fire much faster. Once you have a good coal bed, you can throw rounds/damper stuff on.

Great trip report! Isn't winter camping great? I love how you don't have to worry about bugs or poison ivy. Even better, you don't have to worry about other people because there's rarely anyone else camping. I live in MN and I think winter camping has become my favorite. Although, this is my first summer with a hammock, so we'll see.

I do like the quiet, bug free woods

Great minds think a lie. I just finished a trip like yours, where I just left right from my house as well. It's good to take advantage of of what's at hand. Great report.

Camera batteries are a hassle in the cold. The pocket trick's a good one, tried and true!

I am fortunate to live right by the trail system that runs through town along the Winnebago River. Its a good thing my winter hiking pants have deep pockets. I had my phone, camera, lighter, and a 4 oz bottle of alcohol
in them keeping warm.

[Triggerhpy]

Thank for the report. I'll have to live vicariously through every ones trip reports for a while till the ribs heal.