Results 1 to 9 of 9

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    New Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Washington State
    Hammock
    ENO Doublenest
    Tarp
    ENO Dryfly
    Insulation
    Mamba TQ, Yeti UQ
    Suspension
    Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    6

    Warmer winter hanging spots on West(ish) side of US?

    I missed the best parts of the year being deploying, I really want to test out the new hammock setup but I'm really not a fan of being cold all night. I also have felt like taking a road trip for a while now, so it seems like the perfect opportunity for some fun. My first thought was Death Valley, been a few times as a kid but trees are not something I seem to remember very many of, are there any other warmer spots in this side of New Mexico that would make for an above freezing temp hang in the coming weeks?

    It'd be a car camp most likely but I'm not opposed to an overnight hike, Never done a solo though so nothing too complicated... Also have a great tent setup in case hanging somewhere warm is going to be impossible, so any and all suggestions are welcome, thanks in advance.

  2. #2
    Senior Member webhanger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Northern, Ut
    Hammock
    Handmade string & 1.1 dbl DIY
    Tarp
    Claytor diamond
    Insulation
    Wiggys FTRSS, pluq
    Suspension
    Webbing, whoopies
    Posts
    221
    Images
    12
    Southern Utah, California and Arizona are full of great places to hang. The National parks are great this time of year as the crowds are way down. Warmish may be relative to your thoughts and dependent upon your gear. Most of your deserts have wide temperature swings making nights unexpectedly colder than some might think. The lower altitudes the warmer as will be the further south you go. For those two reasons I imagine you think of death valley. Pick a place that interests you and do some research to see what the weather patterns are for the time you intend to visit.

    With some extra rope and some imagination you can hang pretty much anywhere. There are single anchor ideas and ways to use poles and stakes. If your car camping there are lots of good stand ideas out there for not much cost. You can typically scrounge around for things that will work, Turtledog, the Dangler (see his gallery) among many others. Also (very important this time of year) surf around here for ways to stay warm at night and have the backup plan easily available until your familiar and comfortable with the new gear.

    Soon you will be trying to drink from a fire-hose if you aren't already.

    Welcome aboard

  3. #3
    Member johmar's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    SEQ Australia
    Hammock
    DD Traveller
    Tarp
    DD Camo
    Insulation
    Jarbridge
    Suspension
    Whoopies
    Posts
    53
    Western U.S.A.
    Hawaii , of course. Nice and warm there
    The Australian will shut up now.

  4. #4
    Senior Member ibgary's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Colorado
    Hammock
    Dangerbird, (custom) thanks Papa
    Tarp
    10x10 DIY
    Insulation
    DIY insultex.
    Suspension
    Woopie, UCR
    Posts
    688
    Death Valley can be very cold in the winter. All the cold air from the mountains falls into the valley. I spent a lot of time in Joshua Tree during my climbing yrs. Not to cold, but not many places to hang either. Chino Hills state park is a great quiet place, but the new campground might not have large enough trees yet. Call and ask.

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Arizona
    Hammock
    WWM with Dynaglide whoopies
    Tarp
    8.5x10 Zpack
    Insulation
    down
    Suspension
    DreamHmck slng/tog
    Posts
    299

    foam pads

    Thanks for serving.

    Closed cell foam pads work as insulation. Open cell foam helps to avoid condensation.

    My winter car camping setup uses an ancient, cotton covered, open cell pad on top of two layers of cheap, generic closed cell foam. This is not an UL backpacker's rig, it is for car campers, but it is warm and comfortable.

    To have trees in the desert Southwest, you will have to go where the temps are near freezing in the night, this time of year. At 5000' in central Arizona, it is currently 25-30 degrees at night, 55-60 mid-afternoon. That temperature swing is common in arid areas.

    Look into a portable hammock stand (PHS) to carry in your car, then camp at lower elevations. Be a snowbird, Phoenix AZ, at 1200', is soon dropping into the 50s at night!!

  6. #6
    New Member EdD270's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    White Mountains of Arizona
    Hammock
    Grand Trunk Skeeter Beater Pro
    Tarp
    BushcraftUSA 10x10
    Insulation
    blue foam pad
    Suspension
    factory ropes
    Posts
    35
    Thank you for your service to our nation, and thanks to your family, too, who also sacrifice for us all.
    Arizona is full of places to camp, and hang, but warm is relative. Here in the White Mountains it is in the upper 30's during the day, mid-upper 20's at night, and we currently have about 5" of snow on the ground. Down in the desert it's ranging from the 50's to low 70's during the day and the 20's to 50's at night, depending on elevation and location. Yuma, and other places along the Colorado River, are warmest, but there are few trees to hang on. The hills around Phoenix and Tucson have lots of neat places to hang, but it's higher, and colder, too.
    You can be wet and miserable, or you can choose to just be wet.

  7. #7
    Senior Member body942's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Central Coast, Ca.
    Hammock
    TTTG SB1.9s / DreamHmk
    Tarp
    HG WinterKingdom
    Insulation
    HG M50 Superiority
    Suspension
    MakinWhoopies Bob.
    Posts
    754
    Had a great hang in Hualapai Mtn park this passed summer, (AZ). CA coast in winter is hard to beat though...
    -Bill

    "...the wolf shows up. Then the entire flock tries desperately to hide behind one lonely sheepdog."
    -LTC D. Grossman

  8. #8
    Senior Member Gary_R's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Ocean Shores, WA
    Hammock
    HH Explorer UL with Mod 4
    Tarp
    Gargoyle Custom
    Insulation
    Leigh'Lo/HG
    Suspension
    Adjustable Straps
    Posts
    1,453
    As a fellow NW hammocker.. only thing I can say is invest in good winter quilts..
    Ive been into the teens and still been very toasty warm.
    It has made me into a Winter Camping junky
    My DIY Pulk Project
    http://www.landofrath.com/?p=573

  9. #9
    Senior Member bgraybackpacker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Willamette valley Oregon
    Hammock
    The Kayak
    Tarp
    Exped scoutextreme
    Insulation
    HG UQ, Keltydownsb
    Suspension
    WHOOPIE & Tre Strp
    Posts
    390
    Try the oregon coast temps rarely fluctuate much.

  • + New Posts
  • Similar Threads

    1. New England hanging spots
      By bliksem in forum Northeast
      Replies: 11
      Last Post: 05-28-2014, 05:46
    2. Family Road Trip - Suggestions for hanging spots?
      By Hamper in forum Hangouts, Campouts, and Trip Planning
      Replies: 0
      Last Post: 08-28-2010, 11:44
    3. Winter: Will I stay warmer in hammock if I don't use tieouts?
      By HappyCamper in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 9
      Last Post: 12-30-2009, 20:13
    4. Insulated Air Mats – Is one side warmer?
      By HappyCamper in forum Pads
      Replies: 2
      Last Post: 02-25-2009, 16:13
    5. Anyone Going to the Winter Warmer this Weekend?
      By Coffee in forum Hangouts, Campouts, and Trip Planning
      Replies: 0
      Last Post: 02-24-2008, 20:18

    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
    •