Mt. Rogers Campout Posts!

**Grinder** · 01-29-2007, 08:56

My congratulations to those who survived the weekend campout.

This Florida boy got cold just looking at the pictures.

The part that would bother me is standing around waiting for bedtime. On Springer Mountain, during the rainy New Years Weekend, that was my problem. Should have gone for a hike I guess.

As an 8 hour sleeper, 12 hours of darkness would make for a long night.

But, again, more power to you. You do need to prctice to have the skill needed to survive cold on the trail.

Tom

**Ewker** · 01-29-2007, 08:59

I saw a few packs and they sure were over stuffed and gear hanging everywhere off of them. Curious as to what your packs weighed for such a short hike in.

**stoikurt** · 01-29-2007, 09:17

I'm so jealous. Looks like you guys had a great time and I wish I could have been there. All the pictures were great. It would be nice to have a little more descriptions included with them but I know you were anxious to get them loaded.

All was not lost this weekend. I finished my first 2-layer hammock and got some venison for the freezer!

I hope I can make one of the campouts some time.

**Bird Dog** · 01-29-2007, 10:09

To answer a few questions if I may:

It was a bunch of guys playing "Fort" (thats what my and Double B's wife calls it) as there were no females there.

My pack weighed 17 pounds. But, prior to going on this campout, Double B and I were not worried about counting grams because our objective of the hang was to try different combinations of insulation to determine what our comfort zones were. I didnt really see any very large packs.

Most of us stayed up at Wise shelter on Saturday night until at least 9pm just talking about gear and other things. Some went to thier hammocks and read after that. Some, stayed up at the shelter until 3am.

There were a few groups of hikers that came through while we were at the shelter on Saturday. One of those groups were from Florida!

BD

**NCPatrick** · 01-29-2007, 10:25

Yes, it was a great trip.

I really enjoyed meeting everyone, putting faces with names, getting tons of good advice and tips from everyone (especially Pan -- thanks!), and of course winning the JRB Stealth quilt, which is and will be greatly appreciated! Seems like everyone won something, which was great to see.

I learned how to tie a taut-line hitch, how to keep your shoes dry and/or dry them when they're wet, and I learned a lot from seeing everybody's hammock setup (but only saw blackbishop's from afar -- thanks for the pictures).

I learned not to stand upright in the back of Wise shelter (bong!), and I finally saw one of the famous (or infamous) shelter mice.

I'm still assimilating all of the many lessons learned.

PS. Bird Dog, the difference in our lines was due to mine being an Explorer Deluxe, not Ultralight.

**Ewker** · 01-29-2007, 10:31

this is a large pack with gear hanging off

...no offense Tim

**blackbishop351** · 01-29-2007, 10:49

Originally Posted by Ewker

this is a large pack with gear hanging off

...no offense Tim

In Tim's defense, he's one of the most constantly innovative hikers I've ever met - not to mention hammockers. Tim spends most of his time at home thinking up and fabricating great new ideas, so when he gets to get on the trail, he likes to bring a lot of his stuff to try out. As a result, he sometimes brings more than he might actually need, but we would all be worse off if he didn't! Incidentally, part of what's hanging off Tim's pack was the community trash bag, which he was nice enough to tote back to the parking lot...

And besides...I had a pretty bulky pack too, as did a lot of people - but bulk doesn't necessarily mean weight!

**neo** · 01-29-2007, 11:09

you guys are now the record holders for low temps you got the rest of us beat

neo

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=327

**headchange4u** · 01-29-2007, 13:40

Got home safe and sound, look a long, hot shower and then the wife and I went to Ryans and I torn up the buffet.

I had a absolute blast at the Mt Rogers outing. It was great to put faces with the members here at the forum.

I came away with a newfound respect for my hammock. Even in the low temps we experienced I stayed warm and very comfortable both nights. I was sweating Saturday night!

It was great to have veteran hammock campers like Pan and Smee there to help tweak my setup.

This was also the best learning experience I have ever had as far as hammock camping.

Big thanks to Doctari for the ride. You were a great travel companion.

Click to see photo gallery.

BTW,
Doctari and I almost got stuck on the way out but we were able to put all the gear I won at the raffle in the back of the van and the extra weigh was enough to get us out!