Here shall be the trip report thread for this outing. Pictures will follow.
Some of the guys got there a day before me. My drive up was treacherous at first, but the roads improved north of Lansing, and kept getter better the further north I went, until I had to get on the secondary roads. I met Ryan in the parking lot, and we hiked in together, after dark, Friday night.
The camp wasn't where it was supposed to be, so the hike was longer too, but we followed the sled trail until we saw in the distance the glow of a warm fire.
After setting up my portable house, I joined the glowing faces around the fire, and made reintroductions, and first time introductions. But with the long drive and getting there late, it wasn't long before I settled in for the night.
But I couldn't sleep at first, with my cold feet, until I finally threw a hand warmer into each of my outer socks (was wearing two pair). After that, everything was much better. Underneath my hammock was my new zero degree, extra long, overstuffed, abominable snow beast of an underquilt from Underground Quilts, and it worked perfect. Above me was a -20 degree slumberjack sleeping bag, opened up to use as a quilt. It also worked great, but was a bit bulky. The bag was pulled up to my chin, and over my face was my $20 Wally World down jacket. Also in the hammock with me was my three liter water bladder, to keep it from freezing.
I slept in late Saturday morning, because I was nice and warm in the hammock, and I knew it was very cold outside. But around 10:00, I ventured forth to the waiting fire, checking my thermometer on the way. It said the overnight low was -5 degrees. It was a good test for my gear, and my gear passed nicely.
I spent most of the day sitting around the fire with everyone else, and into the evening. There was much melting of snow and cooking of food. It was a short trip, and departure time would be early, so I didn't stay up too late that night either.
The second night was twenty degrees warmer than the first night, and I slept even better. Sunday morning, I wasn't as hesitant to get out of bed, everything being so much warmer. After packing up, and spending a little bit of time around the morning fire, I headed out, and was back on the road a little before noon.
The drive back home was mostly clear and the roads were good, until I got south of Lansing, and the blizzard stared. What I've learned is that I much prefer camping in this weather than driving in it!
Hopefully I'll get some pics posted tomorrow.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Donk_67
Bookmarks