My first solo trek with my hammock was a near disaster. It was in fact the first and only time i've hurt myself in the backcountry. The mountain just jumped right up at me and dislocated my shoulder...praise be to the family history of being double jointed. it's no worse then stiff and sore. that aside; it was absolutely beautiful out there. my first night at the trailhead under a diamond hard sky dipped to 20*. i stayed remarkably comfortable with no more than my prolite 4 and my 15* down bag and my HH set-up under the awning of the ever convenient trailhead bathroom facility. i do sleep extraordinarily warm when well fed so a large dinner and a chocolate probably helped in that regard. as well as my first hang it was also the trial for a few other new pieces. my vargo titanium decagon alky stove performed superlatively, the key i found to making this stove perform is to use a properly fitting windscreen that allows adequate clearance (about 1/4"-1/2" around pot) and a pot that is just large enough to stow the stove, no larger and no smaller. most solo pots happen to be this diameter so i don't see this as a negative. also new was the hyperflow by MSR. without the bottle attachment i was pleased to learn it fits snugly into standard disposable water bottles. when pumping just as my mind begins to wander as i settle into the old familiar pump routine i glance down and have an "oh i'm done already?" reaction. and to avoid the freezing handicap i simply ziploc it and stick in a sock and sleep with it. the weight savings for me make this well worth while...
fresh from breakfast i attacked the unforgiving first hill, and was rewarded with a beautiful view of mist rising from the valley bottom as i basked in the sun on my mid-morning halt. no more than 3/4 mile later i took a terrible spill on a sadly misjudged bit of slope and was forced to turn back.
i'll be returning to complete that hike as soon as my shoulder is 100%
*this was in the thirteen mile roadless area of north central WA. in the southern portion of the kettle range just south of my hometown, Republic
**regardless of any all injuries sustained i'm irrevocably addicted to hammocks...where did i sit to cook before now? i can't seem to remember
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