AT Section Hike With My Hammock

Well folks I am getting ready to do a 100 mile section of the AT starting on May 7th. This will be my first extended trip using my hammock. I can't wait. One thing I am doing different is that i am not taking a pad with me I am going to use my sleeping bag as a pad if needed. I will also be taking my Nest and No Sniveler. I just need to get my hammock out and remove the stock tarp as I have the MacCat Deluxe. Whis me luck and you can keep up with me at my trailjournals page.

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=5719

Sounds like a great trip. What section are you doing?

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Originally Posted by hammock engineer

Sounds like a great trip. What section are you doing?

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I will be going from Harpers to Boiling Springs. Man I can't wait hehe

have fun. I ran into a thru-hiker this past week who is hammocking. No underquilt just a pad and sleeping bag as insulation. BTW it got down in the teens the 1st two nights I was out.

Enjoy! The MD section is great.

I've been reading Michelle's journal and now it will br Shakeylegs. Im really envious.

Shakeylegs.... enjoy your hike....

Pan

Im jealous. Good luck. Ill be reading along. BD

Major update here people; Today I received a threat on my Guest book at Trail Journals. I am going to reschedule my hike for safety. In the morning I will be contacting the authorities to have this person identified and prosecuted. I will let everyone know what happens but I will not release the date of my hike.

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Originally Posted by ShakeyLeggs

Major update here people; Today I received a threat on my Guest book at Trail Journals. I am going to reschedule my hike for safety. In the morning I will be contacting the authorities to have this person identified and prosecuted. I will let everyone know what happens but I will not release the date of my hike.

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wow, sorry to hear that.
the US is filled w/ wackos... more & more each day. i got into a scuffle w/ someone last week just trying to get a milk shake form the drive drive through at mc donalds.
i once dreamed while sleeping in my hammock near a road, that a bunch of red necks came driving through the woods to mess w/ my hiking partner & me, so i jumped up from my hammock & went running toward them w/ some kind of a war cry... in my dream.
then i woke up & wondered if my friend herd me holler:o

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Originally Posted by ShakeyLeggs

Major update here people; Today I received a threat on my Guest book at Trail Journals. I am going to reschedule my hike for safety. In the morning I will be contacting the authorities to have this person identified and prosecuted. I will let everyone know what happens but I will not release the date of my hike.

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WTF? Why do some people have to mess up the simple pleasures that make us happy? All the dude wants to do is section hike on the AT and someone has to come along and mess it up. How ridiculous is that? SL, I hope you are able to ID whomever did this to you and have them prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. There are 2 things that stupid people ALWAYS deserve: being made fun of and going to jail. I think we can get BD to agreee on at least the latter point. When it comes to your reschedule, enjoy and HYOH. Hope you have the best hike of your life to make up for this little wrench thrown in your gears.

Sorry to hear that - hopefully you'll be able to change locations and still make your hiking schedule?

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Originally Posted by Hooch

WTF? Why do some people have to mess up the simple pleasures that make us happy? All the dude wants to do is section hike on the AT and someone has to come along and mess it up. How ridiculous is that? SL, I hope you are able to ID whomever did this to you and have them prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. There are 2 things that stupid people ALWAYS deserve: being made fun of and going to jail. I think we can get BD to agreee on at least the latter point. When it comes to your reschedule, enjoy and HYOH. Hope you have the best hike of your life to make up for this little wrench thrown in your gears.

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Yes I agree. Actually, I agree with both of them. Thats one of the BIG reasons I backpack. The world is full of NUTS, and I see them everyday. While there are NUTS on the trail, most of them are crazy in other ways. Its nice to get away from them all.

On a professional note, its nice to hear that you are taking the threat serious. Recently, a few guys I work with were threatened. One dude followed one of my partners wives around and a few guys houses were broken into. WHACKOS can be bold. BD

Thats why I always say, "Speak loudly and carry a BIG maglite". Tim, I have an extra and am just up the road. Let me know. BD

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Originally Posted by Bird Dog

Thats why I always say, "Speak loudly and carry a BIG maglite". Tim, I have an extra and am just up the road. Let me know. BD

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thanks, i'll keep that in mind<g>.

Sorry to hear about that.

The area around campus in Cincinnati that I go to has more than it's share of crazy's. I have yet to see any in the woods that were half as bad.

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Originally Posted by Bird Dog

"Speak loudly and carry a BIG maglite"

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Does a 6 D cell work well? I was always partial to a 4 cell back in the "old days".

This is the one I use Maglight

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Originally Posted by ShakeyLeggs

This is the one I use Maglight

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Got to love a piece of gear that weighs in at 50oz before batteries.:eek:

But it would serve multiple needs. You could use it for a trekking pole. You could turn it into a disco light show for the nights you need to entertain from your hammock.

Although it would add add 25+% to my baseweight.:eek:

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Originally Posted by hammock engineer

Got to love a piece of gear that weighs in at 50oz before batteries.:eek:

But it would serve multiple needs. You could use it for a trekking pole. You could turn it into a disco light show for the nights you need to entertain from your hammock.

Although it would add add 25+% to my baseweight.:eek:

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I wouldn't EVEN consider carrying a monster like that myself. Last night, I was going through my goodies and deciding what is going with me on my AT section hike and what isn't. My headlamp is, without a doubt, an absolute must-have. If I'm car camping or staying at a commercial campground, I like to have a 2 AA cell Maglite with me that has several wraps of duct tape around it so I always have duct tape with me. As much as I hated to do it, it's staying behind. I'll have to find another place for duct tape. My trekking poles is what I'm thinking. Anyway, big heavy Maglite=BAD:mad: . Little light headlamp=GOOD:) . End of story.

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Originally Posted by Hooch

I wouldn't EVEN consider carrying a monster like that myself. Last night, I was going through my goodies and deciding what is going with me on my AT section hike and what isn't. My headlamp is, without a doubt, an absolute must-have. If I'm car camping or staying at a commercial campground, I like to have a 2 AA cell Maglite with me that has several wraps of duct tape around it so I always have duct tape with me. As much as I hated to do it, it's staying behind. I'll have to find another place for duct tape. My trekking poles is what I'm thinking. Anyway, big heavy Maglite=BAD:mad: . Little light headlamp=GOOD:) . End of story.

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That has me thinking of when I took my 2AA mini maglite to Philmont, NM in high school for Boy Scouts. It seemed like the logical thing to bring. Served me well. Funny how something that seemed great then I wouldn't want with me know. I also remember my group making fun of someone for using "ski poles". I vividly remember saying that I would never use those. I still say I don't, I use trekking poles.

If only I knew of hammocks then.:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by hammock engineer

If only I knew of hammocks then.:rolleyes:

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Amen, it would have made 4 years in the Marines a LOT more comfortable.

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Originally Posted by hammock engineer

That has me thinking of when I took my 2AA mini maglite to Philmont, NM in high school for Boy Scouts. It seemed like the logical thing to bring. Served me well. Funny how something that seemed great then I wouldn't want with me know. I also remember my group making fun of someone for using "ski poles". I vividly remember saying that I would never use those. I still say I don't, I use trekking poles.

If only I knew of hammocks then.:rolleyes:

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I took a crew there 3 years ago and some of my scouts are going there in June. But I don't think they will allow hammocks at Philmont, they'll cite "Bears" as being the reason and they're real strict on their Bear policies. I'd love to hammock camp there if they'd let you.

I still get funny comments like "Where's the snow?" and such using Trekking Poles here in the deep south. You kinda want to say "Here's your sign!", if you know what I mean.

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Originally Posted by Hooch

I wouldn't EVEN consider carrying a monster like that myself. Last night, I was going through my goodies and deciding what is going with me on my AT section hike and what isn't. My headlamp is, without a doubt, an absolute must-have. If I'm car camping or staying at a commercial campground, I like to have a 2 AA cell Maglite with me that has several wraps of duct tape around it so I always have duct tape with me. As much as I hated to do it, it's staying behind. I'll have to find another place for duct tape. My trekking poles is what I'm thinking. Anyway, big heavy Maglite=BAD:mad: . Little light headlamp=GOOD:) . End of story.

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I'd skip on putting your duct tape on your poles. That's extra weight your arms have to move. Two good options are to cut a pencil in half and wrap it around. Another is to cut in half a popsickle stick. That's what I do and it works great.

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Originally Posted by hammock engineer

That has me thinking of when I took my 2AA mini maglite to Philmont, NM in high school for Boy Scouts. It seemed like the logical thing to bring. Served me well. Funny how something that seemed great then I wouldn't want with me know. I also remember my group making fun of someone for using "ski poles". I vividly remember saying that I would never use those. I still say I don't, I use trekking poles.

If only I knew of hammocks then.:rolleyes:

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Hammocking at Philmont would have been an interesting exercise :p

I have a six ounce plactic juice bottle that I keep my stove alcohol in. I wrap duct tape around the bottle.

Hammocking Philmont would be an interesting thing. As I rememeber it the trek that I did had trees at most campsites. They really look badly on stealth camping so you would have to have ground options. Bugs weren't an issue though.

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Originally Posted by FanaticFringer

I'd skip on putting your duct tape on your poles. That's extra weight your arms have to move. Two good options are to cut a pencil in half and wrap it around. Another is to cut in half a popsickle stick. That's what I do and it works great.

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Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it. It's popsicle time around my place for my son, so that sounds like a plan.

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Originally Posted by Hooch

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it. It's popsicle time around my place for my son, so that sounds like a plan.

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I have the duct tape on mine and can't tell a difference, but go with what works for you.

I am thinking about putting measurement marks on mine. Maybe put a 12" ruler with marks every 1/4". That will help me if I have to make any adjustments or redo anything on my hammock. For some reason I can notice a big difference a couple inches in either direction. Especailly on the ridgeline.

For those "inquiring minds" that want to know, I carry a three cell rechargeable maglite. I love the idea of the six cell, but thats like swinging a telephone pole. The three cell works well for me. BTW, I put my duct tape on a small pill bottle that has some small things in it. BD