Trip Report #2

**Coffee** · 11-16-2006, 14:00

Hangman

What is the lowest that you made it? I want to do some more testing when the weather in Cincy gets cold. I was surprised last year how cold I made it with just my HH, ccd, nest, my 20ish degree bag, and the normal clothes in my pack.

**Certain** · 11-16-2006, 14:07

Originally Posted by Hangman

Michele, thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed report . hope your next trip is even better. i know you want to hang your whole thru if you can but with the blue pad,nest and 20 degree bag you would be set up nice if you had to use the shelter or ground one night. its sounds like to cover every possible wheather system that "could" happen in the beginning of your hike you my carry too much bulk or weight.what your carrying now seems reasonable. i'm starting march 27th and will be hanging to 20 degrees after that i may, yes, go to the ground. i'm still working on a few kinks in my set up and will post as soon as the weather drops again

Yes, I have to say the only reason I'm not trying something different and still carrying the CCF pad is so I'll have the two options to drop to the ground or sleep in a shelter if need be.

Have you or anyone else dropped to the ground in your hammock? Did it really make that much difference? I guess one good thing is that I could use my Nest AND my 20 degree bag as top quilts and be super duper toasty warm. Kind of cool the we have all of these options for warmth. If you're cold in a tent...you're just screwed.

**txulrich** · 11-16-2006, 16:28

Originally Posted by Michele

It's part of the Pinckney Recreation Area. I'm sure you've been there...it's extremely popular for mountain bikers, so that's the only drawback of hiking out there...on nice days you're constantly having to step aside for them. Funny...didn't see a soul last Saturday in the cold windy wet weather....wimpy bikers!

I actually was born and raised in Howell. Right around the corner from your camp area.

Originally Posted by Michele

As for fire, I actually carried in some of those firestarters you use in your fireplace. The problem was location. The wind was blowing so hard we wouldn't have been able to get anything started there....maybe could have if I were in a better area that was protected from the wind a bit. I agree...I think having a fire would have allowed us to stay outside for several more hours. I'm usually pretty good at making fires (sort of a pyro), but have yet to conquer the soaked wood issue. Thanks for the ideas.

With just a little bit of a windscreen, the briquet starter works real well. You can also buy some wax soaked, wood particle bars form most outfitters. They're cheap and work reasonably well.

**Grinder** · 11-16-2006, 18:41

Great Report, Michele
Felt like I was there instead of in 60 degree overnight low Florida

Tom

**Hangman** · 11-16-2006, 21:37

Originally Posted by hammock engineer

Hangman

What is the lowest that you made it? I want to do some more testing when the weather in Cincy gets cold. I was surprised last year how cold I made it with just my HH, ccd, nest, my 20ish degree bag, and the normal clothes in my pack.

i got to 25 degrees with super shelter and nest. don't yet how low it will go as the temp only went to 25 that night. ss shelter 12oz, nest 21oz. wm 20 degree bag 31 oz. i will post an other report next week as i'm doing an over nighter at french creek state park in pa. with sneaker tramp, thanksgiving weekend it should be colder then

**Hangman** · 11-16-2006, 21:45

Originally Posted by Michele

Yes, I have to say the only reason I'm not trying something different and still carrying the CCF pad is so I'll have the two options to drop to the ground or sleep in a shelter if need be.

Have you or anyone else dropped to the ground in your hammock? Did it really make that much difference? I guess one good thing is that I could use my Nest AND my 20 degree bag as top quilts and be super duper toasty warm. Kind of cool the we have all of these options for warmth. If you're cold in a tent...you're just screwed.

never used hammock on ground but sure you would be good with blue pad ,nest, and wm 20 degree bag to single digets. on ground or shelter.
would like to know also if anybody tried this

**Grinder** · 11-17-2006, 20:44

Michele,

I grew up in Detroit area and spent quite a bit of time in the Brighton Recreation area, Northeast of where you camped.
Small world.

Tom

**Certain** · 11-17-2006, 22:02

Originally Posted by teblum

Michele,

I grew up in Detroit area and spent quite a bit of time in the Brighton Recreation area, Northeast of where you camped.
Small world.

Tom

Oh yes...Brighton...where I taught myself how to snowboard on the big trash heap! We're pretty lucky to have so many hiking/camping options this close to Detroit. I swear there are more people from or who have lived in Michigan on these forums. You're right...it's a very small world.