Video: Shug & Wander'nFool Do The North Country Trail
Finally got out for a two night quick and fast backpack trip on the North Country Trail. Joining me was an old friend and noobie backpacker Wander'nFool. He did wonderfully .... he studied here on HF and bought tons of new and terrific gear and practiced with it! That is the way to do it. He had a Warbonnet BlackBird hammock, a Warbonnet Yeti UnderQuilt, ULA Circuit pack, MacCat Tarp from OES, a JetBoil stove, Leki Hiking Poles and some SmartWool. Attachment 5620
Packed the Kelly Kettle wood-burning stove in the outside pocket of my ULA OHM backpack. Stripped it down to backpacker mode by removing the cork, putting on a lighter handle, leaving the base home and testing out a light-weight home brewed base I made from a pie tin and hardware cloth. Saved about 6 ounces overall.
Used the Dutch Clips for the first time in the woods on my hammock suspension. Flawless and ever-so light. Replace you biners and save some weight .... for food!
I brought my DIY hammock and since we passed one car on the hike at a shuttle point I traded out for the BlackBird the second night. Just testing comforts. Both get 5 stars but BB has a bugnet and on my DIY I left it off. Did get a skeeter or two buzzing me in the morning of camp one. Drats! Attachment 5622 Attachment 5621
One tiny issue with the BB hammock is the ridge line when you use it as a lounger at camp. It tends to droop in your face depending on your tree spread on the hang. As we sat lazing around I saw a solution to that ...... easy fix to a wonderful piece of gear. It is at 4:05 in the video...
We ate well ... the Kelly Kettle was a terrific and easy to use as long as you take time to make sure your initial fire is done right. As always .... I made my breakfast from the hammock with my Mini-Atomic Alcohol stove from MiniBullDesign. 3/4 oz of fuel and I am chowing on grits and having instant espresso! Man ... livin' right
The Jetboil is a rocket. The Dutch Clips are super fast. Our ULA packs rode like a dream.
Had coyotes both nights and one came into camp on the first night and howled his drunken warble. Wander'nFool had a small air horn his wife made him take along for bears aso he blasted that and the coyote was back with his pack in the woods in no time.
He had a Warbonnet BlackBird hammock, a Warbonnet Yeti UnderQuilt, ULA Circuit pack, MacCat Tarp from OES, a JetBoil stove, Leki Hiking Poles and some SmartWool.
Dang! That's a heck of a list for a newbie. Nothing like starting the game off on the right foot. :cool:
We've got coyotes bedding down in the back of our property. I elected to get an AirSoft sniper rifle to deal with them from the roof of the stable. But, an airhorn might be more fun for the neighbors. :lol:
09-16-2009, 10:26
angrysparrow
Great stuff! Thanks for sharing...
I like the custom trip music.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shug
We're not solving all of your problems...just most of them.
09-16-2009, 10:32
Hooch
Whooo buddy! Excellent vid as always, thanks for sharing. Looks like y'all had a great trip. :thumbup:
Hammocks rule, groud dwellers drool. :lol:
09-16-2009, 10:33
Roadtorque
Looks good. I thought we might see your new jrb quilt in this movie but I guess we will get to see that another time? Keep um' comin'
09-16-2009, 10:35
Optimus
Great video as always Shug. :) Love the openning song.
Dang! That's a heck of a list for a newbie. Nothing like starting the game off on the right foot. :cool:
We've got coyotes bedding down in the back of our property. I elected to get an AirSoft sniper rifle to deal with them from the roof of the stable. But, an airhorn might be more fun for the neighbors. :lol:
WF totally gave me a case of gear-envy.....
Airhorn was a brilliant idea!
Quote:
Originally Posted by angrysparrow
Great stuff! Thanks for sharing...
I like the custom trip music.
Sang it in one take .... made it up in the apre-hike jacuzzi!!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hooch
Whooo buddy! Excellent vid as always, thanks for sharing. Looks like y'all had a great trip. :thumbup:
Hammocks rule, groud dwellers drool. :lol:
Hammocks are cool and rule!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roadtorque
Looks good. I thought we might see your new jrb quilt in this movie but I guess we will get to see that another time? Keep um' comin'
It is in the post on it's way .... wish I had had it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slopes
Great video as always Shug. :) Love the openning song.
" Wooooo Budddy Yeaahhh , Hammocks Ruuule !!! " :D
We had a blast! The song just came to me in my post-hike daze.....
09-16-2009, 11:27
beep
Nice trip report! As usual, Shug, you made it entertaining and informative.:cool:
And gratz to Wandering Fool for his "conversion" to the world of hiking hammockers!
09-16-2009, 11:30
VegaMike
Great video, Shug, glad I watched all the way to the end. :laugh:
09-16-2009, 11:35
Perkolady
Entertaining and informative, as always! Thanks to the both of you!
Very cool ridgeline solution! I am really liking the looks of that Kelly Kettle....
09-16-2009, 11:38
SmokeHouse
Looks like tons of fun,,, thanks for sharing...
09-16-2009, 12:15
Wander'nFool
Hiking with Shug a trip report
Backpacking with Shug a trip report
I am a very fortunate to have had Shug as my trail guide and teacher with my first awesome adventure in the piney woods. We've known each other for years, and he has invited me to the trail in the past. The hammock is what made me finally accept his offer.
Been fiddling with my gear in my man cave for quite a while. Wow! What a difference when you get out in the field!
In Northern WI you never know what the night or next day will bring. We changed out our clothing at the trail head after Shug looked at the sky and smelled the air. You know he is part Cherokee. It was great to hear Shug reminisce along the trail about the spring HF Northern Hang on the NCT. The lookout tower Stormcrow and crew climbed, off the NCT, is waaaaaay higher in person than on video. The NCT colors are really starting to burst. I am sure next month on the SHT the colors will be awesome.
Really like my Leki poles. I have been practicing in the bluffs about my hometown. It took a bit to get used to the straps. I was good about checking that they remained tight along the trail. The cork handles were very comfortable.
The Blackbird and MacCat Deluxe together are great. Just as everyone on HF has professed. I found I really liked hanging low to the ground. Much easier to sit and cook this way. Shug's ridge line fix worked very well for keeping the BB ridge line out of my face. Working on lightening my suspension system on both. When are the Dutch Clips going to be available at the HF store?
I learned a lot from trailcooking.com and freezer bag boiled most of my meals with my Jetboil. When I practiced, I did not like holding the bag in my hand and eating out of it ... awkward. So, I drop the freezer bag into my empty Jetboil pot, fold the bag opening over the pot edges and dug in with my long REI spoon. No pot cleaning! A quart Ziplock freezer bag fits nicely in the Jetboil. Shug stressed the importance of finishing your food to lower your pack weight. He graciously finished my peanut butter oatmeal garnished with dried banana chips, apricots and cranberries. Shug, no need to mention my food weight :)
I can not say enough good things about the ULA Circuit. I picked it up new on ebay and it fit me perfectly ... uhhhhh, after Shug showed me how to make it fit perfect. A far cry from the exterior frame packs I used so many, many years ago in scouts.
Talk about gear envy ... Shug's ULA Amigo Pro, kept us easily and quickly hydrated. I look forward to getting mine after the first of December.
In closing, since June I have been living vicariously through all the HF trip reports. I had very high expectations for my first backpacking adventure and those expectations were far exceeded. I think it also might have had something to do with the company I travelled with.
Much appreciated,
Wander'nFool
PS -- Really, I think a coyote sniffed my butt.
PSS -- Shug is freaky when he whispers on the trail.
09-16-2009, 12:55
JerryW
Great trip report from both of you and another two-thumbs-up video from Shug! Can't wait for the Northern Hang, only three more weeks!
Wander'nFool - Will you be there? Didn't see your name on the list, but it was on the poll.
Here's to hangin' in the piney woods! :thumbup:
Jerry
09-16-2009, 13:01
Wander'nFool
October Northern Hang
Quote:
Wander'nFool - Will you be there? Didn't see your name on the list?
Man, I wish I could. I'm on the road working that weekend.
Wander'nFool
09-16-2009, 13:22
Bankheadboy
Super Great trip report! from both of you guys! Great gear makes for a Great trips! Plus Hanging out with Shug has to be a Trip! Cool
I do have to say: the video is funny, but not nearly as funny as his act is in person. If you ever get a chance to, you MUST see him live. It's not even just seeing him- you FEEL him in a room. Shug is one of those folks who have.....<drum roll>..... PRESENCE. And an amazingly quick improvisational wit. I'm glad he's a hiker/hanger- we all benefit! :D
(Sean: You can either send me cash or use PayPal for this promo. Sorry, but I don't accept personal checks from itinerant jugglers.) :lol:
09-16-2009, 13:34
JayS
Shug - great, as usual. Loved the action specific music and the cinematography.
Wander'nFool - welcome to the hangin' world. If you can spend two days in the woods with Shug, hammocking in general should be a breeze.
09-16-2009, 13:41
animalcontrol
Time spent with Sean is time well spent...
Time spent hangin with Shug...priceless!
09-16-2009, 14:04
Shug
Quote:
Originally Posted by Perkolady
Very cool ridgeline solution!
Thanks .... just shows that being "out there" in the woods sometimes lets on see..........
Quote:
Originally Posted by IhangnBankhead
Great gear makes for a Great trips!
Ain't that so true. Fun to ogle others gear!
Quote:
Originally Posted by ghandrick
One was his trip report, the other is part of his performances at the 2009 Minnesota State Fair. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmCw7...eature=channel
I do have to say: the video is funny, but not nearly as funny as his act is in person. If you ever get a chance to, you MUST see him live. It's not even just seeing him- you FEEL him in a room. Shug is one of those folks who have.....<drum roll>..... PRESENCE. And an amazingly quick improvisational wit. I'm glad he's a hiker/hanger- we all benefit! :D
(Sean: You can either send me cash or use PayPal for this promo. Sorry, but I don't accept personal checks from itinerant jugglers.) :lol:
Whooooooo ...... glad I am so poor. I will shovel your walk.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by JayS
Shug - great, as usual. Loved the action specific music and the cinematography.
Wander'nFool - welcome to the hangin' world. If you can spend two days in the woods with Shug, hammocking in general should be a breeze.
I appreciate the music part.......
WF is one brave soul.
Quote:
Originally Posted by animalcontrol
Time spent with Sean is time well spent...
Time spent hangin with Shug...priceless!
Right back atcha AndyControl
09-16-2009, 14:30
pgibson
Very nice guys, as always, great video Shug, WF welcome to the piney woods. Great gear choices to start off on the right foot. And thanks for sharing the Mystery Meat with us...really thanks. :)
Paul
09-16-2009, 14:36
gargoyle
Hiking with shug would be like cowboying with John Wayne. Excellent report fellas. Shug, one question...where do you pack the uni?
09-16-2009, 15:01
Hawk-eye
Now this makes waking up at 4 am worth while! Can't wait to see the video when I get back. Looks like a most excellent adventure Shug!
Did I mention the end of Oct is getting closer and closer? ;)
09-16-2009, 15:06
Dutch
Nice vid Shug. Something I like to do is dip my dutch clip in chocolate and roll it in chopped peanuts. That way I have a tastey treat when it is time to hang.
09-16-2009, 15:08
rigidpsycho
very nice video Shug.
09-16-2009, 16:16
Sweetpea
Great video Shug! Welcome WandernFool!:D
09-16-2009, 16:22
slowhike
HaHa... Thanks Shug:) Me part Cherokee too! How... white man marry Cherokee woman, have babies:D
Ya know, that coyote wasn't digestin to good. That screw still had one eye open:eek:
09-16-2009, 19:22
SoundWitness
Shug and WF;
Great trip report! Looks like you both had a blast. Hiking, and putting your gear into action is nothing but fun, fun, fun.
........oh and thanks for the biology lesson:scared:
09-16-2009, 21:25
April Fool
Very entertaining as always. And I always end up learning something from your videos too! :D Like - coyotes don't like heads and feet. :laugh:
09-16-2009, 21:28
turk
Always entertaining and informative! Looks like a blast !!
Great weather!
09-16-2009, 21:35
MedicineMan
in a way it makes me sick thinking back to what i was carrying 36 years ago...45-50 pound loads and far less warm/comfortable...glad your bud is starting at the top!
09-16-2009, 21:50
Doctari
Alright, that does it, I'm moving my b**t to Roseville, MN! JUST so maybe, I could one day, hike with Shug. :D
Anyway, good video as usual, great song. I also really liked the homemade bottom to the Kettle. Some day I'll get one of those too.
09-17-2009, 00:16
MacEntyre
Yet another great video, Shug!
- MacEntyre
09-17-2009, 01:54
Sailor
Saw the vid and credit-- all very nice, but I shed a tear seeing Kelly having fun without me. sailor
09-17-2009, 09:10
Triggerhpy
There he gose again. Making a vid. on how much fun he's having. Must be nice. Keep 'em coming.
09-17-2009, 11:13
HappyCamper
Ever notice how it's a better day whenever Shug puts out a new video?
09-17-2009, 11:45
Outer Island
Hey Shug, what else ya got?
09-17-2009, 11:55
Shug
Quote:
Originally Posted by pgibson
And thanks for sharing the Mystery Meat with us...really thanks. :)
Paul
Our pleasure!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by gargoyle
Shug, one question...where do you pack the uni?
Side pocket of OHM..... almost room.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawk-eye
Did I mention the end of Oct is getting closer and closer? ;)
Whooooo Linville Gorge!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dutch
Nice vid Shug. Something I like to do is dip my dutch clip in chocolate and roll it in chopped peanuts. That way I have a tastey treat when it is time to hang.
you ain't right Dutch .... crack me up!
Quote:
Originally Posted by rigidpsycho
very nice video Shug.
10-4!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sweetpea
Great video Shug! Welcome WandernFool!:D
Thankee
Quote:
Originally Posted by slowhike
Ya know, that coyote wasn't digestin to good. That screw still had one eye open:eek:
Could be he up-chucked it.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by SoundWitness
........oh and thanks for the biology lesson:scared:
Trail scat or re-gurge is interesting .... makes you know what is ahead ... or behind you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by April Fool
Very entertaining as always. And I always end up learning something from your videos too! :D Like - coyotes don't like heads and feet. :laugh:
They don't really chew their food ... slobs!
Quote:
Originally Posted by turk
Always entertaining and informative! Looks like a blast !!
Great weather!
It was warmer than we hoped for. Wanted 60º in the day .... 40's at night.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MedicineMan
in a way it makes me sick thinking back to what i was carrying 36 years ago...45-50 pound loads and far less warm/comfortable...glad your bud is starting at the top!
I am proud of WF and his gear choices.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doctari
Anyway, good video as usual, great song. I also really liked the homemade bottom to the Kettle. Some day I'll get one of those too.
The KK is fun and would do well on a long hike .... you get no soot or smudge on hands or pots!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sailor
Saw the vid and credit-- all very nice, but I shed a tear seeing Kelly having fun without me. sailor
It did ask about you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Triggerhpy
There he gose again. Making a vid. on how much fun he's having. Must be nice. Keep 'em coming.
Ha Ha .... fun we had .... big time!
Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyCamper
Ever notice how it's a better day whenever Shug puts out a new video?
That is very sweet and I wept......
Quote:
Originally Posted by Outer Island
Hey Shug, what else ya got?
Kelly Kettle video coming soon........
09-17-2009, 12:07
sc_rupiper
Looking forward to a Kelly Kettle video. I'm on the fence as far as purchasing one. You might push me over!
09-17-2009, 12:53
Bug-Bait
Shug...you really do sing like sugar!!!
09-17-2009, 17:21
keys?
Great video Shug! Thanks for sharing :D You're always willing to help an newbie out ;)
Welcome WF...I first met Shug on the NCT and lets just say we did a lot of tweaking to my setup:laugh:
09-17-2009, 18:33
gRaFFiX
Luckiest noob ever to have such a hiking partner on his maiden voyage.... I am NOT Envious..... well
09-17-2009, 18:39
Dutch
How many of had to tote noob gear for the first couple years or so. I wonder who has been giving him advice:rolleyes:
09-17-2009, 21:52
Shug
Quote:
Originally Posted by sc_rupiper
Looking forward to a Kelly Kettle video. I'm on the fence as far as purchasing one. You might push me over!
Coming soon......
I like it. May not come on every trip but .... no pot smudge. Cool.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bug-Bait
Shug...you really do sing like sugar!!!
For that I thankee. Started singing late in life but it does bring me joy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sarahgirl
Great video Shug! Thanks for sharing :D You're always willing to help an newbie out ;)
Welcome WF...I first met Shug on the NCT and lets just say we did a lot of tweaking to my setup:laugh:
Well .... I knew all those Northern Hang attendees would be watching you .... but all of us only want to help.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gRaFFiX
Luckiest noob ever to have such a hiking partner on his maiden voyage.... I am NOT Envious..... well
I put my pack on like everybody else!!!!:lol:
WF did a terrific job and he gets a grade A.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dutch
How many of had to tote noob gear for the first couple years or so. I wonder who has been giving him advice:rolleyes:
He e-mailed me constantly. He is self-admitted kinda anal about research. worked.
09-18-2009, 02:01
MrGreen
I've been some what absent to the forum recently due to work and what a great way to get the ol' hike-n-hang juices flowing but to see this ! Looking forward to a fireside stogie. :D
09-18-2009, 07:22
kayaknut01
my father a non hiker/hanger stops over alot and seems to always ask me if the funny red haired guy has any new videos, when this one came up we had to watch it, he just loves the shug vids, same sense of humor I think, glad to see wf had a great system his first time out, my first time out was the nct, northern hang really had no idea what I was doing or what was needed, successful, I thought so , but way way to heavy of a pack. when we meet again on the trail maybe we can tweak my pack some??? great vid as always nice to see the nct again..
09-18-2009, 17:01
pgibson
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shug
I put my pack on like everybody else!!!!:lol:
Of corse you do Shug, it's not that we all think you are supper man flying about the woods, but we all have so much fun sitting in on your adventures via YouTube for 5 minutes that we all think it would be a blast to just sit back and laugh our *** off on a hike with you. I am trying to figure out how to book your show for the Idaho Hang/Feast next fall. :) Every day needs a good laugh, Thanks for bringing so may of them to us all.
Paul
09-18-2009, 17:06
animalcontrol
Quote:
Originally Posted by pgibson
Of corse you do Shug, it's not that we all think you are supper man flying about the woods, but we all have so much fun sitting in on your adventures via YouTube for 5 minutes that we all think it would be a blast to just sit back and laugh our *** off on a hike with you. I am trying to figure out how to book your show for the Idaho Hang/Feast next fall. :) Every day needs a good laugh, Thanks for bringing so may of them to us all.
Paul
Shug is a blast to hang with...no doubt about it.
But I enjoyed my time with Sean just as much. (aint that right Sybil!) :lol::thumbup1:
09-18-2009, 19:05
east_stingray
Shug, if you ever want a tour of the Ozarks, give me a ring! Looks like hiking with you is always bound to be fun and exciting.
09-18-2009, 21:59
Javaman
I've been away from the Forum for awhile, just busy with work and biking. Shug's video is a great reminder of how much fun can be had here! Feels like old home week down at Shug's!
09-18-2009, 22:10
ikemouser
Sweet time, sweet vid, hope to hike some day with you shug as well. You fellers sure hang your hammocks low to the ground, have to try that next time im out.