Usually I'm a backpacker, but I've seen a lot of kayak/camping trip stories lately, and it got me to thinking I should try it. I've never used a kayak for anything other than a couple hours of rec paddling. So this weekend I grabbed a buddy and we took a 2 day trip down the Conemaugh and Kiskimentas rivers. (Northeast of Pittsburgh) Water was fairly high after a tornado siting/storm east of the city Friday night, but we were undeterred. Attached a few pictures. My ENO singlenest can be seen in the foreground. Picture of the river is what I saw when the sun came over the peak and woke me up. After coming back from a trip 2 weeks ago where I came home with a tick in my shoulder, I picked up the ENO bugnet during the REI sale and this was it's first use. I know it's heavier than other options, but I must say, I was glad to have it hanging by the river - bugs were out in full force. Being new to hanging (this is only the 5th trip I've made with the hammock) - and being that I don't have the most expensive (i.e. lightweight) hammock gear just yet, I must say, having the kayak was awesome. Nice summer days on the water, and camping 20 ft from a swimming hole may quickly become my go to type of trip. Anyone have a suggestion on kayaks? (Apparently I need something else to blow money on)
We dropped in just below the Conemaugh **** and pulled out around the town of Leechburg, few miles away from the Allegheny. We covered about 25 miles (according to what the locals told us) - but did most of our paddling on day 1. We saw some white water, but only because of the storm the night before. Overall, nice easy paddling and some floating. Beautiful weather, 75 and sunny. Rain held off all weekend. Tried talking my camping mate into becoming a hanger, but he wasn't biting - Then we had to paddle about an hour longer than he wanted because on both side of us were nothing but hillsides and wilderness. He immediately saw the pros of hammock camping as we continually passed sites where I reminded him "We could camp there if you had a hammock" - he had a miserable nights sleep while I slept splendidly.
Going out again in 2 weeks if anyone is from the area and would like to join. Starting further up river this time.
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