View Full Version : 3 wks on AT in my hammock = great!
So I headed out April 17th with my Warbonnet Blackbird, my OES MacCat Spinnul Standard tarp, my landau pad (40x60), and my 20 degree WM bag. I used my hammock every night except when in town. Temps ranged from the 20s to the 80s. I had rain, snow, heat, and cold. All in all, the system worked very well. I had one night that I couldn't get the tarp tight enough to the hammock due to a huge rock blocking where my stakes should have been, so I got wet around the edges. But I learned my lesson and know that if it's wet, I need that tarp down tight. I was comfortable in all temps. When it was cold, I crawled into the bag. When it was warm, I used the bag as a quilt, or not at all. One night I spent in an RV campground and attracted a lot of attention since most people had not seen anything like my setup. The only change that I might consider is trimming the pad to the shape of the hammock, since it kind of "tacos" around me a bit. I have to say thanks to all who gave me advice on this forum. I owe you big time! I won't venture out on the AT again without my hammock! If you'd like to read details of my trip, I'm on www.trailjournals.com/Redhat (click on the 2009 journal)
That's great. Inspires me to get out there!
SmokeHouse
05-07-2009, 20:01
Sounds like a great time... I've been looking at the BB. do you have the single or double?
kayak karl
05-07-2009, 20:11
:D:D:D Glad to here it:D:D:D
KK
TinaLouise
05-07-2009, 22:19
I very much enjoyed reading your journal pages and looking at the pictures. It makes me want to do the .... Oh I Wish I Could Do That....
one day....
thanks for allowing us to share in your adventures
awesome man! i'm about to do the same thing here in a week! 3 weeks on the AT in a claytor and OES tarp
:)thats awesome,hammocks rock:cool:neo
Perkolady
05-09-2009, 18:28
Wow that's great you got to go! Man, you really had quite a range of weather and temps to test out!
Thanks for posting your journal. I really enjoy it!
Perkolady
trigger hurt
05-09-2009, 22:38
Good stuff.
About the pad trimming. I don't mind the taco factor that much. It's like being wrapped in a cocoon of soft, squishy foam. it means that the edges of my pad and sleeping bag overlap a bit. since I seem to roll around in my sleep, this is a good thing.
but now I have a top quilt and uq on the way. I'll be sad to have to cut my pad down to much smaller, but only for a minute or two.
UncleMJM
05-09-2009, 23:18
Great trip report - you've got me wanting to head to the mountains.
Sounds like a great time... I've been looking at the BB. do you have the single or double?
Originally I planned to get the single to save weight, but I ended up getting the double since I use a pad. The pad fits between the two layers and makes for much more comfortable sleeping.
Great trip report - you've got me wanting to head to the mountains.
Man, College Station is hotter than blazes! Nothing in Texas can compare with hiking the Appalachian Trail. I head over at least once a year to get my fix. Now, I'm a native Texan, and I love my state, but hiking here is near torture!
HappyCamper
05-10-2009, 17:40
Red Hat, thanks for the Trail Journal link. Loved reading about your trip.
Rehat ~ What section did you do?
Swoosh ~ What section are you going to do?
I'm going out for a week May 22nd. Planning to go from 19E to Grayson Highlands.
Looking forward to using my BB!
goodcaver
05-11-2009, 00:37
Does the pad between the layers cut down on sweat accumulation? I find my rear end getting sweaty when I use a landau foam pad...
FishBone
05-11-2009, 07:39
Great report, Red Hat. Been following your journals for the past few years.
Q: how do you pack your 40x60 pad in your Circuit? I've always had trouble compressing the pad enough to make things fit.
thanks.
TheRev: I did from VA42 at Ceres to Blue Ridge Parkway mile 51.7 (planned on to the Tye River, but got stormed out)
Goodcave: no sweat with it between the layers
Fishbone: I fold it in half (20x60) and roll it up, then use stretch cord around it and put it in a kitchen garbage bag and push it into the mesh outside part of my Circuit.
RedHat, it was awesome reading your trail journal. What an adventure. Sorry to hear about your friends son and I appreciate your son's sacrifice to our country as well.
Hey Redhat .... I am really enjoying your trail journal! Short, concise and well versed. Glad you are a hammock gal.
Stay Vigilant and secure!
Shug
PS .. I love bluegrass gospel music and loved to read about you listening to Elvis as you hiked in the piney woods...
Thanks for the link to your journal. Sounds like a great trip
TW