first real night out with Speer stuff near Mt Baker, WA 2/9-10/09

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02-11-2009, 22:24
hikingjer

first real night out with Speer stuff near Mt Baker, WA 2/9-10/09

Monday 2/9/09 I hiked and snowshoed up a road gated for wildlife on West Church Mountain north of Mt Baker and the hamlet of Glacier, Washington. This is on Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and in the North Cascade mountain range in northwest Washington state about 5-6 miles south of the US/Canada border.

I hiked up in Salomon XA-8 cross country (XC) ski boots that are a lot like hiking boots but with a hinge under the toe that clips into the ski binding. It was frustrating to have to take snowshoes on and off for intermittent snowpatches. Snow was more continuous about 3500 feet elevation or so in open areas near second growth forest. There was only about 1 foot of snow until 3900 feet and it was a crunchy hardpack with a little fluffy snow on top. This is why I brought snowshoes instead of XC skis.

There's a view south from a rock outcrop to the North Fork Nooksack valley, Glacier far below, up into the Glacier Creek valley with Skyline Divide and Mt Baker wrapped in clouds.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3450/...7b49c7.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1085/...4771d5.jpg?v=0

After about 4 miles in my left ankle got really sore from bumping against the outer heel cuff that provides support and rigidity for turning. West Church Mountain loomed above.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1053/...dbe4d4.jpg?v=0

The dogs and I climbed West Church in late May a few years ago with ice ax when we could drive closer. A lot of alder whips have grown in on the side of the road since then and there are new washouts. The last 1/2 mile of the road was a few inches of nice snow on top of the icy/crunchy hardpack so I really regretted not using my XC skis. I don't like snowshoeing. Snowshoeing is not comfortable. XC skiing is much better. There was a nice view of the North Fork Nooksack valley west towards the town of Maple Falls.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3528/...408eb2.jpg?v=0

The walkout felt long because of my sore left ankle which was painful at times. The whole trip was about 9 miles RT with about 1600 foot elevation gain. About half of the hike was on snowshoes. Temperature was in the upper 30s down low and below freezing up high with a little flurries. Partly cloudy all day. Nicer weather than normal although the snowpack is lower than average now. There were rabbit, deer, coyote and bobcat tracks in the snow. I heard a grouse flush from the side of the road on the way up.

That night I camped at a spur road near MP 1 on the Canyon Creek Road. It was a nice unofficial, undeveloped spot a little off the road. This was my first night with the Speer Winter hammock and Speer PeaPod III not in the backyard. The hammock was an ENO Doublenest. I put a light foil space blanket in between the hammock and the PeaPod and used a Sierra Designs synthetic Fastbag as a top quilt. Over the hammock and PeaPod went a homemade hammock sock. I slept in fleece pants made of "cookie monster hide" ;), a down jacket, with a fleece balaclava and down booties.

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...g_2_09_038.jpg

It dropped down to about 27 degrees F at night. Maybe colder? Relative humidity I estimate was about 80%. I do know it was 30 degrees F when I woke up at 7 am. I was too warm at about 1 am and had to open the PeaPod and take the down jacket off. The last hour before waking up I was not toasty, barely warm enough to sleep with the downcoat back on and buttoned up. :confused:

The overall setup and most of the night was ridiculously comfortable.

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...g_2_09_039.jpg

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...g_2_09_049.jpg

There was frozen droplets on the inside of the hammock sock and on the ends of the PeaPod. I should not have applied waterproofing spray on the ends of the hammock sock. I did that too keep the sock and PeaPod dry from rain near the side of the tarp. That was a mistake. Now, I have to make a sew a new hammock sock that is totally breathable.

Another problem was keeping the PeaPod from touching the ground while I put it on the hammock. The PeaPod is big and made of top notch down. The ground was near freezing so the PeaPod did not get wet. If the ground were wet like it normally is, the PeaPod would've gotten wet and wet down gear freaks me out.

The Speer Winter Tarp is great! It went up fast, has great coverage, lightweight and seems solid. I look forward to seeing what it has in more challenging conditions.

Another problem was the ENO getting all twisted up with the DIY ridgeline when I pull it out of the bag. This is a minor inconvenience but it annoying to realize the hammock is twisted up after you've already tied it into the treehuggers and it must be undone.

After breaking down the hammock and camp, I drove about 30 minutes up SR 542 closer to Mt Baker Ski Area and skied the snow-covered upper Salmon Ridge Road below White Salmon Lodge.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3021/...4588f5.jpg?v=0

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1276/...c29e3a.jpg?v=0

There was atleast 4 inches of fluffy snow on top of ice. This was good snow but my ankle was sore from the day before. I skied anyway, in pain, gimpy and favoring my left foot by not lifting the heel that much when striding. The boot was OK when skiing but not hiking. These boots did not do this before when there were arch supports that lifted the ankle higher. My ankle did not hurt much when going downhill, herringboning and skating.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3499/...e86ae1.jpg?v=0

The snow-covered old logging road goes past cool rocks and views of mountains.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1082/...13dd67.jpg?v=0

Mt Shuksan was mostly obscured by clouds but Mt Sefrit was briefly visible.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/...948d44.jpg?v=0

I managed to shuffle to the end of the road at the old logging landing about 2.5 miles in. Nice views of the North Fork Valley and some mountains.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1401/...e50d01.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/...a91aca.jpg?v=0

There wasn't much snow here. Maybe 2 feet at most and bare in some spots in the forest. There are good places to hang up here. Maybe I'll go back when it's clear, make a hammock camp and gawk at Mt Shuksan and other peaks in the evening and morning?
02-11-2009, 22:52
headchange4u

Great report. Those are some really beautiful pics. I gotta get out west and do some hiking.
02-11-2009, 22:53
angrysparrow

Wonderful trip report. Thanks so much for sharing.
02-11-2009, 22:55
headchange4u

So was it just the areas that you treated with the waterproofing spray that had the condensation problems?
02-11-2009, 23:20
Cannibal

I just had my first "Duh! Why didn't I think of that!?" moment in a long time.

It looks like you've got the tarp doors tied to the base of the tree, is that right? Duh! Why didn't I think of that!? Does everybody else do this and are ya'll just not telling me? You know I hate stakes (love steaks:wuv:). Thanks a bunch for posting that pic!:cool:
02-11-2009, 23:34
Narwhalin

Really beautiful pictures...thanks alot for sharing!
02-12-2009, 00:07
hikingjer

Quote:

Originally Posted by headchange4u

Great report. Those are some really beautiful pics. I gotta get out west and do some hiking.

If you make it out West to hike, aim for mid - late August to early September which is prime time. Most of the bugs and are gone, snowpack melted away, less chance of rain, and usually not quite cold yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannibal

I just had my first "Duh! Why didn't I think of that!?" moment in a long time.

It looks like you've got the tarp doors tied to the base of the tree, is that right? Duh! Why didn't I think of that!? Does everybody else do this and are ya'll just not telling me? You know I hate stakes (love steaks). Thanks a bunch for posting that pic!

That worked quite well. It was my first time tying the SWT's end panel lines to a tree's base since I've only had it on a Byer Vario hammock stand before this. There was also one less thing to trip over.
02-12-2009, 00:15
stormcrow

Awesome trip report!

We were looking at the pictures and the wife said " wow, were are THOSE mountains?" and I said..."Those are NOT Appalachian mountains..."

Just beautiful. Makes it harder to wait for the next trip.

Adam
02-12-2009, 00:31
GrizzlyAdams

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannibal

I just had my first "Duh! Why didn't I think of that!?" moment in a long time.

It looks like you've got the tarp doors tied to the base of the tree, is that right? Duh! Why didn't I think of that!? Does everybody else do this and are ya'll just not telling me?

you might have been on the trail when that memo went around <grin>
or maybe it's just that age thing starting to kick in.

a memory is a terrible thing to lose

hikingjer---thanks for the pictures. I'm envious. When I customized my gmail backdrop, the setup asked
me where I live. Based on my answer---Illinois---it uses backdrop pictures of mountains
like the ones you posted.

Grizz
02-12-2009, 07:20
animalcontrol

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannibal

I just had my first "Duh! Why didn't I think of that!?" moment in a long time.

Really?
I have those moments EVERYDAY!
02-12-2009, 13:24
fin

Thank you so much for the pictures. I love mountains! Next to water, mountains are my favorite. Great trip report, and great pics!:)
02-12-2009, 18:47
BillyBob58

Quote:

Originally Posted by hikingjer

Mt Shuksan was mostly obscured by clouds but Mt Sefrit was briefly visible.......... Maybe I'll go back when it's clear, make a hammock camp and gawk at Mt Shuksan and other peaks in the evening and morning?

Thanks for the great report and pics!

I was a little luckier ( with the weather and views) last time I was there! At least on the last day when we got up close to Shuksan and Baker.

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...ksan_thumb.jpg
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...ksan_thumb.jpg

We weren't so lucky just a day or two earlier trying to see the Blue Glacier on Mt.Olympus- most of the time, nothing but clouds and fog and lightly misting rain. That made any nice views fleeting at best:
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...mpus_thumb.jpg

You're lucky to have such grand hanging country right outside your door! Envy!

I am not surprised that you over heated with all of that gear inside the PeaPod, unless you had the pod pretty wide open. Good info about the frozen condensation inside your soc. Did you stay condensation free on the bottom, since you used the space blanket?
02-12-2009, 18:58
BillyBob58

Quote:

Another problem was keeping the PeaPod from touching the ground while I put it on the hammock. The PeaPod is big and made of top notch down. The ground was near freezing so the PeaPod did not get wet. If the ground were wet like it normally is, the PeaPod would've gotten wet and wet down gear freaks me out.

It can for sure be a challenge to keep the pod ( or other UQs) off of the ground when installing, though you get better with practice. One reason I sometimes just leave them on once installed, and stuff hammock and quilt ( or SS) into one large bag. Then when setting up, by leaving all in the bag except the first rope/webbing being wrapped around the 1st tree, i can keep things dry as I walk towards the other tree and attach.
02-12-2009, 20:12
Shug

I enjoyed your TR. Those mountains call for camping......
02-12-2009, 20:46
clearskyblue

Not bad for a "first real night out" LOL!:boggle:
Great pics of some outrageously breathtaking vistas.
02-12-2009, 21:30
hikingjer

If you guys like mountain peak photos check out this trip report from last summer on the Pacific Crest Trail in the North Cascades.

On this trip, most of the peaks were covered by clouds as is normally the case in winter around here. But, for the last 4+ weeks we've had unusually dry, mild weather. It seems the normal storm tracks have been bypassing this part of the Northwest and hitting to the south.

Last winter '07-'08 was snowy. There was a deep snowpack with winter-like snowstorms dumping powder in mid/late April. Pic below from right near where BillyBob58's Mt Shuksan photo was taken.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/...826f06.jpg?v=0

---------------------

Billybob58,

Quote:

Did you stay condensation free on the bottom, since you used the space blanket?

Yes, no condensation on the bottom. Warmth keeps it from building up I suppose?

It was weird that I was too warm at about 1am (?) but barely warm enough the last hour or so. :confused: Metabolism? Ought to keep a snack nearby.

Thanks for the tips on the new Speer gear.

------------------------

Glad everybody liked the TR. If you ever come to the Western mountains in winter and snowplay, try to come in February on when the snowpack is deeper and days are longer.
02-13-2009, 08:03
Youngblood

Quote:

Originally Posted by hikingjer

It was weird that I was too warm at about 1am (?) but barely warm enough the last hour or so. :confused: Metabolism? Ought to keep a snack nearby.

There seems to be something about the last hour or two before daybreak being the hardest to stay warm. I saw someone mention that the other day and they were sleeping on the ground. They said something about a drop in temperature because of air currents caused by the sun/day break approaching?? Could be a lot of things, metabolism, urination or urge to, blood circulation from laying in one position, etc or a combination of several things.
02-13-2009, 08:15
Ramblinrev

I noticed the same on my first winter hang. It was at the Pine Barrens in NJ with the Iafte crowd. Slept warm most of the night but about 5 am I was briskly cold. Decided to get up and get out since I had a long drive ahead.

I thought it was just me. Nice to know I am in good company.
02-13-2009, 08:19
attroll

I noticed that also. When I use to hunt and went out about an hour before sunrise it would always seem to get colder as the sun started coming up.
02-13-2009, 09:10
Iafte

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramblinrev

It was at the Pine Barrens in NJ with the Iafte crowd.

I have my own crowd! Cool. :D If I get more followers will it be a gaggle, or a mob? :confused: :rolleyes:

I have noticed it too, but that's usually the last trip to water a tree and I warm up once back in the hammock. :shades:
02-13-2009, 19:29
MacEntyre

I've noticed that when the moon rises at night, the wind will often rise as well.
02-13-2009, 19:56
clearskyblue

I've read it somewhere that it is indeed correct it gets noticably cooler at and around dawn.Apparently scientifically proven phenomenna.I have experienced this quite a lot whilst practicing astronomy just before and around astronomical twilight brrrrrrrr.