Pre-planning - Who's in for the first annual Colorado Winter Hang?

Ok - So I'm moving to Colorado Springs in December, and once I get the family settled (and give some time for more snow in the montains) I'll need to destressify with a winter hang. Who's interested? And where?

Who: Winter campers only...ground dwellers welcome
What: Hangout!
When: February or March, probably...we'll set the schedule once we see who's interested
Where: Somewhere in central Colorado. I like the Pike National Forest, Saylor Park area, just b/c I'm familiar with it. (Map here...it's more than the 13 minutes away that Google says it is.) Close to Woodland Park for the post-trip group lunch, not too difficult to get to, and a few interesting places to visit nearby (Chimney Rock, some lakes and beaver ponds, etc)
Why: Because it's winter!

So let's get a feel for how many people are interested and willing to make the drive. Then we'll nail down a location. After I move and get my new work schedule we'll solidify the date.

WHO'S IN?!

I'm new to hanging and made several hammocks so far. I am in. I currently live in CS so it won't be that far of a drive for me. I personally would like a place close to some water so we could fly fish as well. I have a couple friends who hang as well. I think they may be in also.

I know Farish Rec Area has fishing lakes, but it's a military area (shows up as Air Force Academy Rec Area on the Google map linked above). Depending on how many people are interested, I could get a few guests in. There are several other lakes on the map but I don't know what winter access is like. I'll dig out my topos and see if there is Jeep trail access to them.

cannibal and i were talking about this a few months ago.

i'm in.

Good deal...I'll see you then!

this is a good idea because i've noticed several new members from CO in the past couple months, most are even from the front range.

Awesome - should be convenient for a lot of people, then. And hopefully we'll get visitors from surrounding states like the Mt Roger's hang.

it's a loooong shot....but I planned to visit my cousin sometime this winter. She's at Western State College in Gunnison, CO?

I could fly into Denver shoot down to the hang and then head west to visit my cousin and get in some snowboarding! :woot:

Cool - current list:

Just Jeff (and probably Joker)
Warbonnetguy
Bluejacket + poss. guests
Joe8484 (poss)

I'm very much in! :shades:

Depending on the day, I'd like to attend also.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cannibal

I'm very much in! :shades:

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Haha - I figured you would be as soon as you got on the computer.

Attending:
Just Jeff (and probably Joker)
Warbonnetguy
Bluejacket + poss. guests
Cannibal

Possibles:
Joe8484
Canardly

I threw the invite out to whiteblaze and hikinghq.net - no replies yet on either.

im going to be out at vale snowboarding for a week in march (i think) but have no idea how far that is from there. Any ideas?

-CS

Quote:

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Originally Posted by climberslacker

im going to be out at vale snowboarding for a week in march (i think) but have no idea how far that is from there. Any ideas?

-CS

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Couple of hours depending on traffic.

Yep - Google says 3 hrs to Woodland Park, plus 30 min or so up into the mountains wherever we decide to camp.

Ok if you guys plan it and its the same time im gunna be there im in.

-CS

Attending:
Just Jeff (and probably Joker)
Warbonnetguy
Bluejacket + poss. guests
Cannibal
climberslacker

Possibles:
Joe8484
Canardly

Adding Freefall from Whiteblaze if he can get a ride from the Denver area. Anyone going thru Denver who can hook him up?

Attending:
Just Jeff (and probably Joker)
Warbonnetguy
Bluejacket + poss. guests
Cannibal
climberslacker
freefall (from WB, needs a ride from Denver)

Possibles:
Joe8484
Canardly

Just posting the extra stuff I put on WB:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Just Jeff

We'll probably camp around 9000' and see single digit temps.

It's usually a Fri-Sun trip, and we usually have a group pot luck on Saturday night. Someone brings brats, someone brings homemade beef stew, etc. Generally family-friendly events...alcohol is ok as long as it's low-key.

At these hangouts, everyone usually packs their own gear but has enough extra to put together or augment a few sets for the folks who don't have a suitable winter hammock kit. Let me know if gear is the only thing holding you back and I'll find a way to hook you up.

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You do know that LOTS of pictures will be expected!!!:) ... & maybe some video too!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Just Jeff

Adding Freefall from Whiteblaze if he can get a ride from the Denver area. Anyone going thru Denver who can hook him up?

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No problem. I'll shoot a PM over on WB.

Thanks Cannibal.

And of course there will be pics...and maybe some video if the camera works that cold. Except for the TOP SECRET parts! :jj:

Fill in the details, but it sounds fun.

Attending:
Just Jeff (and probably Joker)
Warbonnetguy
Bluejacket + poss. guests
Cannibal
climberslacker
freefall (Riding w/ Cannibal from Denver)

Possibles:
Joe8484
Canardly
food

Just jeff, put me into the possibles please!

-CS

Genuine Draft is interested...with a caveat. I have to promise to get her a PeaPod beforehand. :rolleyes:

Well, isn't that just convenient? Hopefully she doesn't ask for it in Ed's hot pink like some of his top quilts, so you can "borrow" it sometimes...

Attending:
Just Jeff (and probably Joker)
Warbonnetguy
Bluejacket + poss. guests
Cannibal
freefall (Riding w/ Cannibal from Denver)

Possibles:
Joe8484
Canardly
food
climberslacker

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Just Jeff

Well, isn't that just convenient? Hopefully she doesn't ask for it in Ed's hot pink like some of his top quilts, so you can "borrow" it sometimes...

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Possession is 9/10ths of the law. It lives in my gear closet, therefore it's mine and she can borrow it. :D
NO pink quilts in my closet. Not now, not next week, probably not even next life! :scared:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cannibal

Genuine Draft is interested...with a caveat. I have to promise to get her a PeaPod beforehand. :rolleyes:

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Does Ed make them thick enough? I think she is the only person that sleeps colder than me.

I would be in but I will be somewhere on the backroads of Austraila during that time.:rolleyes:

Looking for girls with frikkin' lasers on their heads?

Sent you a PM a while back for the GearSkin. It's packed...just didn't want to send it back until I was sure I had a valid address for you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Just Jeff

Looking for girls with frikkin' lasers on their heads?

Sent you a PM a while back for the GearSkin. It's packed...just didn't want to send it back until I was sure I had a valid address for you.

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Why yes. I heard someone tell me once they do that down there. Leaving with a friend for 5 weeks in Feb to motorcycle from Sydney to Perth. Figure already done the long hike, moving on to the next adventure. If you can get a month away in 2011 I got a fun trip in the dreaming stage.

Might be able to get away for a while, even if I just meet you for a couple weeks of it. PM me the details!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Just Jeff

Might be able to get away for a while, even if I just meet you for a couple weeks of it. PM me the details!

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Sorry but this is one of those trips that you're in for all of it or none of it. Cannibal and Genuine draft might be able to talk you into it.

Hrm...sounds tempting... I'll have to get enough details to talk the family into it but there have been some longer trips I've been thinking about, so...talk me into it!

Attending:
Just Jeff (and probably Joker)
Warbonnetguy
Bluejacket + poss. guests
Cannibal
freefall (Riding w/ Cannibal from Denver)

Possibles:
Joe8484
Canardly
food
climberslacker
mags (whiteblaze)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Coffee

Sorry but this is one of those trips that you're in for all of it or none of it. Cannibal and Genuine draft might be able to talk you into it.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Just Jeff

Hrm...sounds tempting... I'll have to get enough details to talk the family into it but there have been some longer trips I've been thinking about, so...talk me into it!

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We'll work on him Coffee. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cannibal

We'll work on him Coffee. ;)

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Sounds great. This is going to turn into one of the Epic trips. Keep working on Brandan and Alta.

I'll do my best!

food sent me this in a PM...wanted to open up this thread for discussions on location as well, though. No reason to keep his good ideas private!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by food

Jeff,

I consider desirable winter sites to be places close to paved roads that are plowed often. I have never been on the Rampart Range Road in the winter so I have no information. I know the recently the Mt. Herman Road was closed.

High points away from cold air drainages is good in the winter.

Full moon walks in the snow are magical.

I am not familiar with the south part of the state, but Tennessee Pass has a lot of facilities:

10th Mountain Division Continential Divide Cabin would be a good place to socialize and bail to. There are backcountry ski trails and plenty of hanging places around the cabin.

http://www.huts.org/hut_details/continental.html

Across Tennessee Pass are both alpine and nordic ski facilties. And I have heard good things about the Tennessees Pass Cookhouse.

http://www.tennesseepass.com/cookhouse.htm

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I'm pretty sure Rampart Range Road is maintained but I'll confirm before we make plans, if that's where we choose to go. Rampart Range Road is dirt but well maintained in three-seasons, and I've driven on it in winter with a standard 4WD.

I'm not tied to a location though...if y'all have somewhere near and dear to you, let's hear it!

hwy 14 is always plowed, it goes all the way up to cameron pass and then down the other side towards steamboat springs. there are several trailheads and big parking lots there along the hwy. it's nice country up near the pass. i haven't hiked many of the trails though, but access to them is on paved rd. i'm all for a car camp type campout as well, what were you guys thinking? the rmnp stomp (which cannibal and i both almost went to but didn't) had a long hike in. i wouldn't mind getting some snowshoes, might be kinda fun. i'm up for whatever though

I'm thinking a mile or so hike in would be good...just like Mt Rogers. Wouldn't be completely opposed to a car camp, though. I hope it's good showshoe weather...I plan on buying a set shortly after we get there.

Sounds mighty inviting ...........

I'm definately interested... but I need more details to make a decision... and my son lives in Denver, he is a hanger, he'd probably be interested too...

More details please...

How long of a trip? Weekend? Long weekend? Longer?

How much hiking? (Jeff said about a mile... ?) Car camping? Snow shoeing?

Friday to Sunday, either car camping or ~1mi hike in...snowshoe depends on where we finally decide to go, I guess.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kankujoe

How much hiking? (Jeff said about a mile... ?) Car camping? Snow shoeing?

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With the amount of snow that will be on the ground, I kind of doubt the camp will be too far from the vehicles. Snow shoeing ain't for everybody and it should be fun for all! :D
Gonna have to trick out my pulk. Gotta get me some stickers. :laugh:

I may be interested... let us know the details...

depending on work schedule at that time, which should be light, i may be able to make this one also. cannibal I would love to snowshoe, but I would have to strap 4x8 sheets of plywood to my feet. I don't know if any of you guys have tried to find shoes rated for 350lbs +, it ain't easy.

Good point about the snowshoeing...maybe we should make it near the cars. I do want to get away from developed areas, though. Maybe on a Jeep trail somewhere? We could do 4x4 shuttles from a nearby parking lot or something.

Attending:
Just Jeff (and probably Joker)
Warbonnetguy
Bluejacket + poss. guests
Cannibal
freefall (Riding w/ Cannibal from Denver)

Possibles:
Joe8484
Canardly
food
climberslacker
mags (whiteblaze)
plowhorse
SmokeHouse

I'd be VERY long shot. My daughter (who lives in Crested Butte) is wanting me to come visit...and if I do, it may work to tie this "hang" to one end of a visit with her.

Bottom line, I'm a distant "maybe", but that's better than a "no":laugh:

Yep - work it in!

Attending:
Just Jeff (and probably Joker)
Warbonnetguy
Bluejacket + poss. guests
Cannibal
freefall (Riding w/ Cannibal from Denver)

Possibles:
Joe8484
Canardly
food
climberslacker
mags (whiteblaze)
plowhorse
SmokeHouse
beep

what temp range should we be looking at? need to evaluate my setup.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by plowhorse

what temp range should we be looking at? need to evaluate my setup.

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Cold, but it's a 'dry' cold. :lol:

In the area Just Jeff is talking about around Pike National Forest in Feb and March, lows will be around 0 to 10 with highs in the 30s and 40s. The daytime highs will feel much warmer when in the sun. I've been out in shorts in the 30s and not cold as long as I'm in the sun. Nights aren't too bad because of the lack of humidity, but if the wind kicks-up, it can be downright cold. :scared: