new from minnesota

[hammocknoob]

hello everyone.
im alex. new to backpacking, and have never slept in a hammock.
a few months ago, i had a buddy tell me about a backpacking trip he went on. so i got interested in backpacking and started doing research on trils in mn on youtube i found a video that shug posted about hammocks,
and from that point on i couldnt stop looking up hammock camping, i just got my first hammock and cant wait to take it out for a couple of days!
and look forward to learning more about everything from you guys!

[brown4914]

Right on! Welcome Alex. Just joined a short while ago.

My favorite part of the forum aside from learning has been watching and reading about all the trips this community has brought forth. Really gets you motivated to learn quick and plan a trip or ten...

[hammocknoob]

man i think i watched every video that shug posted and over 100 that others have posted, and that makes me go and buy things way faster then i should be, not good lol

[brown4914]

Exactly how I felt, but once you get a basic hiking/hammocking set and figure out how it works best through use the temptation fades....slightly

[GrizzlyAdams]

welcome Alex! Saying "Minnesota" always gets my attention, as I hail from Bemidji, and lived and worked in Mpls until I was 24.

there's a bunch of Minnesotans joined up over the years. You have discovered the most famous of them already....

[Brute1100]

Welcome from south Texas...

[Poppabear]

Welcome to HF!

[Whiskeyjack]

Welcome from slightly North of you!

welcome Alex! Saying "Minnesota" always gets my attention, as I hail from Bemidji, and lived and worked in Mpls until I was 24.
:

I was in Bemidji a couple of years ago Grizzly. Nice little town.

[raiffnuke]

Welcome to HF from Mass.

[Rabid Deer]

Welcome, fellow Minnesotan! I was in your same shoes not long ago. I do have a few words of advice for you. Winter camping is awesome, and I like it more than Summer camping in many ways. However, if you are going to hang in the Winter in MN:
Try your gear out somewhere that you have a backup plan and can bail to get warm. Being cold sucks and you won't sleep.
Tarps with doors will keep the wind off you, and you'll have lest frost in the morning.
Bring hand warmer packs to use for emergency supplemental heat.
I highly recommend an under quilt. Top quilts can be made from sleeping bags, but there's no substitution for a good under quilt.
Hammock socks are a great idea, but MN gets colder than other places. If the sock is made out of nylon, it will start to frost up around 10-20 degrees or so. Canvas is the way to go, and Molly Mac Gear (MacEntyre) is supposed to make a good one. I'm trying to make my own and will post about that soon.

Have fun out there! Welcome aboard.