2014 Utah Hang - Flaming Gorge

**cataraftgirl** · 06-17-2014, 18:59

Here's a few pictures from the hang. It was fun to attend my first hang, and meet some HF folks. I made some new friends.....two-legged and four legged. Thanks to arczeneb for organizing the hang. The campground was perfect, with just the right amount of trees. We even had a small stream to enjoy. The weather was pretty good overall, with plenty of sun, some wind, and a little bit of rain. It had been awhile since I'd used my hammock gear, but everything worked beautifully, and I was comfy & cozy. I learned a few new things from Boothill & sodakgrrl to improve my set-up. We were a pretty diverse group, with hikers, fishermen, and paddlers. I got some paddling time in my new kayak, and explored some of the scenic canyons & coves at Flaming Gorge. Of course there was a potluck dinner with a ton of delicious food on Friday night, and some fun chats around the campfire every night. Thanks everyone for a great weekend!
arczeneb
Pgibson- I finally got to meet the guy who makes some of my gear!
Boothill
sodakgrrl
Murphy- the world's most mellow camp doggie
dman & scott
maddtom
2eez4life-who arrived just in time to say howdy

**sodakgrrl** · 06-17-2014, 20:07

Great shot of the bridge as you paddled that way...glad you got to get over there! (Nice action shot of Murphy, too...

)

Hope to run into you again down the road!

**OutandBack** · 06-18-2014, 12:06

Nice report great picts. How did you like the new boat?

**cataraftgirl** · 06-18-2014, 14:53

Originally Posted by OutandBack

Nice report great picts. How did you like the new boat?

I liked it a lot. Easy to get in & out of with my bum leg. It was kind of windy both days that I paddled, so it was a good test with head and side winds, and some small chop. The boat tracked well, with not a ton of corrective strokes, but I had to keep paddling at a steady pace. Stopping = drift. It's a little bit of a wet ride being a SOT, but not bad. The scupper valves work pretty well to keep water out, and still allow splash water to drain. The Wheeleez cart worked great to transport the boat from parking area to launch area. The next big test will be packing it for an overnight. Grand Teton in August.

The Rhino rack loading T-bar thingie works really well for the load assist. Unfortunately the Malone Seawings I got did not work. The boat kept sliding off to one side no matter what I did. I was loading in my driveway, which is level, so I don't know what the deal was? The shape of the hull just doesn't work with them. I need to return them to ACK. Pads on my factory cross bars seem to work just fine, so I'll just go "old school."

**OutandBack** · 06-18-2014, 15:28

Do you think you will put a rudder on it? I've heard those work well in wind. I've never had or used one.
Packing can be tricky. Need lots of small dry bags for using every inch of storage.
I color code mine to help me remember whats inside.

**cataraftgirl** · 06-18-2014, 18:40

Originally Posted by OutandBack

Do you think you will put a rudder on it? I've heard those work well in wind. I've never had or used one.
Packing can be tricky. Need lots of small dry bags for using every inch of storage.
I color code mine to help me remember whats inside.

No rudder for now. I think it handled pretty well without one, so I'll wait and see. I was surprised how much inside room this kayak has for a SOT. I had them add a small hatch in the stern, so with the large bow hatch and the tank well, it has room for overnight gear. I need to get my kayak overnight gear figured out, and do a test pack. The hammock/tarp system will work really well. Color coded dry bags sounds like a great idea. Someone said to attach line to the bags in case they migrate inside the kayak. I can totally see that happening, and it would be a bear to get them out. Right now I'm getting ready for a raft trip, but the Grand Teton trip (3day, 2 night) should be a good test for the overnight capabilities of this kayak.

**pgibson** · 06-18-2014, 18:51

Here is my quick video of the hang.

**arczeneb** · 06-18-2014, 20:07

Had a wonderful time meeting new folks. My adventures Sheep Bay paddle and hiking behind the campground. Walking along the river.
Let the pictures show the area in all its color.