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    Senior Member Doctari's Avatar
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    5th annual Mt Rogers hang: Planning Thread

    Planning forum for the annual freeze your toes off winter hangout in the Grayson highlands.

    The dates for the hangout will be: January 21, 22, 23 2011

    The location(s) for the hang (GPS coordinates):
    Wise shelter: N 36o 39.392’ W 81o 29.531’ from my 2009 Garmen Nuvi with me standing between the shelter & the fire pit. Next year I’ll get the coordinates of the privy & spring.

    THE parking lot: N 36o 38.392’ W 81o 29.252’ Standing on the road between the parking lot & the camp-store.
    The above coordinates may be off by a few feet, & (as you will see below) don’t exactly agree with the “Official” numbers, but this should get you there. A map can be seen at: http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery....php?i=2425&c=

    To clarify a few points:
    This is a “Base Camp” type of get together at the Wise Shelter on the AT in Virginia in the Grayson Highlands. If you have seen pictures & videos of hikers with ponies, this is the place. One year the ponies visited us at the shelter. FYI, if 2 Oz shelter mice steeling your food annoys you, wait till you meet up with a 500 lb “Shelter mouse” disguised as a pony.
    The only “Organized” functions are the afternoon Pot Luck Dinner (that oddly enough keeps getting closer to a Noon start time ) & the Annual Raffle to benefit Hammock Forums.
    Every year there are some who go on a day hike & just about any way you go from the shelter you will get EXCELLENT views. You may even see a pony or two (AKA “500 Lb shelter mice”).
    USUALLY, all set ups are open for public viewing during daylight hours. But: respect privacy. Don’t touch ANYTHING. If someone is taking a nap; quietly walk away. Watch your step & don’t trip over hidden guy lines, as a torn tarp will quickly lead to someone having to go home. And, to that someone being rather angry at you. If in doubt, ASK. Most of us know who’s set up belongs to whom.
    Yes, this is a hangout in COLD WEATHER. Yes we know it is going to get cold, that is why we are there. (This in response to my friend’s shock at my plans for this weekend.)

    For those who have limited under insulation, some suggestions: Add a CCF or T-rest pad under you (even if you already have one, two is better). A fleece blanket hung as an underquilt can add 10 or more degrees to what you already have (I put mine between hammock & underquilt). I use a trucker’s reflective windshield cover to add 10 - 20 degrees & my small sit pad adds about 5 degrees. For those new to winter hanging, resist the urge to tighten up your underquilt (without differential cut) hoping to stay warmer. This will cause your quilt to thin & reduce the R-value. You want your UQ to just touch your hammock.

    For those who have limited top insulation, some suggestions: A fleece blanket between you & your top quilt or sleeping bag can add quite a few degrees of comfort. I don't care for them but some swear by using a space blanket, usually between you & your top quilt.
    Note: a commercial sleeping bag rated to, lets say: 30 degrees, usually means you will SURVIVE the night at 30 degrees, NOT you will be comfortable.

    All over added protection: get or make a hammock sock!

    Just in case, I carry a few chemical heat packs for if I get the shivvvvvers. A pack of toe warmers will do me for a night. In fact I have been known to get too hot & have to stand outside in tee & shorts in 7 degree weather for 15 minutes, just to cool off. YMMV!

    In cold weather, the air is very dry! And even though it is cold, it is very like being in the desert in that you need to drink A LOT OF WATER! This year when we got to Cowboys for gas & a snack, I must have drunk at least 2 Ltrs of water. Yea, I didn't listen to my own advice & didn't drink enough at the hangout. A side note: I also changed clothes at Cowboy’s, my socks were SOAKED from sweating during the hike back to the car. Had I gotten them that wet & gone to bed without changing socks, my toes would have indeed froze.

    FYI, past years weather:
    Year one: 6 - 14 degree nighttime temps, with 50 MPH wind gusts. Sat night freezing rain.
    Year two: 20 - 25 degree nighttime temps, serious wind chill.
    Year three: 6 - 14 degree nighttime temps, with 50 MPH wind gusts.
    Year four: 5 – 14 degree nighttime temps, with 40 – 50 MPH gusts. 8 – 14 inches of show fell Friday night.
    The differences in temps depended on where the hanger was. Cold weather camping in comfort often depends on 3 things: Location, Location, and Location!!

    LAYERS! The key is LAYERS! Sometimes staying warm, means staying slightly cool, so being able to remove & add insulation easily is a good thing.
    High calorie, high fat meal for just before going to bed.
    Short, mild exercise (2 – 3 minutes gentle “Jumping Jacks”) to warm up just before climbing in the hammock.
    More layers; on you, under you, over you.
    Optional:
    Hot water bottle to keep warm at night. A discussion of that is here: http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=6313
    Traction on your feet!
    Pulk / Sled for carrying extra gear. A sled or Pulk isn't required, but if you are bringing more than you can comfortably carry, they can be a godsend. If you can, practice at home with your loaded Pulk. Tips on making one are available elsewhere on HF. Likely under "member forums" & at http://wintertrekking.com/index.php
    If we are getting snow, rig your tarp a little (a lot?) off the ground to allow the snow to spread out. This may seem counter intuitive, but it will make a difference. If not, the snow will pile up & push your tarp in on you. This year mine went from 5' wide at the base & about 5' high at the ridgeline to 2' x 4', it only stopped coming down on me due to the hammock ridgeline. Talk about closet phobia
    Specifically for this trip, I carry a rubber mallet for driving in my tent stakes, & 10 EXTRA HEAVY DUTY (Gutter nail type) tent stakes. Very handy when wet ground is exposed to below freezing temps for a long time.
    Doors on your tarp, or being able to pull your tarp closed at the ends, can add several degrees warmth to your night. Even just ONE end closed will help. For one option see the Grizz beak at: http://www.2qzqhammockhanger.com/id64.html

    For those who are new to this event:
    If you need help, ASK!
    I do not mean to deter you, just make you aware so you can prepare: IT WILL BE COLD! It May be VERY COLD! There WILL BE WIND; there may be A LOT OF WIND! There MAY BE SNOW, possibly A LOT OF SNOW. Most of the social activates take place around the fire in front of the shelter, there is minimal protection from the wind there. Dress accordingly!! It also MAY RAIN, It did this year, & then it snowed. The ground may be rock hard, or harder.
    Frozen plastic can shatter like glass. Plastic frozen to below 20 degrees shatters like very fragile glass. Plastic tent stakes,,,, well, use at your own risk. FYI: the above 10 Heavy-duty tent stakes I use, all had plastic hooks on them, now 3 do.

    Stay just a bit cool to stay warm. OR: Try not to sweat; it will only make you wet & COLD. Last year I had to strip to a tee shirt a few times just to cool (& dry) off after some exertion. The outside temp was around 17o & I was outside.

    Bring extra (as in more of it) HIGH CALORIE food.
    Stay dry, to do that stay a little cool.
    Bring extra clothing in case your other clothing gets wet.
    Breathable Trail Runners may not be such a great idea in sub freezing weather.
    Each night I change into (at least) dry socks before going to bed. I bring at least a pair a night. This year I had to change into a dry tee on Sat night as I got over heated before bed.
    Bring enough stakes to do ALL of your tarp tie points.
    Items dropped into 8" of snow are VERY hard to find again!! Even if painted Bright ORANGE!
    If the only way you can stay warm is at the fire, you aren't dressed right.
    Standing on a CCF pad can help keep your feet warmer.
    Sitting on a CCF pad can help keep your sitter warmer.
    Standing on your head on a CCF pad will do nothing to keep your head warm, but will be entertaining to the others.
    Hanging sites abound around the shelter, so there is the opportunity to be picky, though you may have to walk a bit to get to / from the social aspect at the shelter.
    There is a very nice privy there, bring your own Toilet Paper; wet wipes are useless in the weather expected.

    If you need help, ASK!

    The shelter sleeps 8, but so far the only one to sleep there did so due to a midnight UQ suspension failure. And that is one reason we have the to do at a shelter, “Just in case”

    Groundlings (aka: Tenters) are welcome to join us!! So far we have had 3 tents, & a total of 4 groundlings. 3 of our groundlings are hangers in “better” weather.

    On Saturday PM there is a Pot Luck cook out where everyone shares special treats, like deer bacon & homemade stew.

    The rest of your meals are up to you! I strongly suggest bringing EXTRA snacks! Hint, candy can & will freeze rock hard if exposed to the temps we are expecting. A short time INSIDE your jacket can soften it up in pretty short order. In an outer pocket is NOT inside your jacket.

    Usually someone goes for a day hike or 2. There are several trails to explore, most lead to GREAT views. But leave time to get back for the potluck.

    Again: The GPS coordinates for the Wise shelter are:
    Mine: N 36o 39.392’ W 81o 29.531’
    “Official”: 36* 39' 14.37" N 81* 29' 54.23" W

    The hike in from the parking lot is about 1 mile on a mostly level logging road. On the way you cross 2 streams, & a stream / swampy area which are easy enough to cross. Every year I have made it, I have gone back to my car for something, so it’s an easy walk.

    Alcohol is allowed, but please practice moderation!! This is NOT a drinking party! There will be underage hikers there. Also, alcohol ingestion makes your body think it is warmer than it really is, & this can lead to hypothermia, a very bad thing! FYI: After we warm you back up, all of the medical personnel there will laugh & point at you. At least I will, I know me!

    Water is readily available, but water filters freeze up pretty quickly at these temperatures so be prepared to have to thaw your filter & pump.

    In past years there has been extra hanging set ups if you are ill equipped, or a groundling looking to try out hanging. And for the most part, if you need help, just ASK! That is why this hangout was started 5 years ago, so that we may learn from each other, and share our collective experiences! I will have a spare set up, but it will stay in the car till needed. I will say it again, and elsewhere in this post:
    If you need help, ASK! If you need help, ASK! If you need help, ASK! IF YOU NEED HELP, ASK FOR IT! TELL SOMEONE YOU ARE IN TROUBLE! YES, EVEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT! DO NOT “TOUGH IT OUT”!

    Some things you will see: January of last year (2009) there were about 40 hangers, and 40 DIFFERENT set ups. All years: Under quilts from custom made to store bought to home made. Pads that have included a trucker’s window shade. Tarps of all sizes colors & shapes. Almost as many different stoves. Clothing choices that ran from a crazy guy wearing: short sleeved tee, long sleeved tee, fleece vest, nylon vest, a kilt & panty hose (sometimes I put on a wool hat & gloves) in 2009, to several wearing down quilts as parkas & a few looking nearly like the Michelin Man (at least to me). There were at least 5 Pulks (camping sleds) there in 2010.

    So, come one come all!!

    Some items needed / suggested for the cook out:
    Sausages (Hot dogs, Bratts, Metts, etc.)
    Buns.
    Side dishes (Cole slaw, Stew, Macaroni salad, etc.)
    Marshmallows!
    Smoors fixings.
    Condiments (relish, ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, onions, etc)
    Hardware (plates, knives, forks, spoons, paper towels, trash bags, etc.)
    Drinks or drink mix.
    Hot drinks / mix
    Desserts

    Hint: If it can’t be heated (Like coleslaw) or even if it can, bring the food in a insulated “cooler”, to help keep it from freezing.

    In years past firewood was brought, but it was a strain to bring from the parking lot to the shelter, so that is up to you. Please, if you are in a quarantined area (As Firewalker & I are) do not bring firewood. If you don’t know if your area firewood is quarantined, don’t bring firewood. Lets be safe & not bring an infestation in. Thank you!

    If this is your first winter camping trip, bring more of nearly everything than you think you will need; fuel, clothing, food, etc. Not to say overdo it, but as I say at the start, it will be cold & windy. Alcohol stoves DO work, so if that is what you have, bring it, we will help you make it work. In 2010 most of the wood stoves were iffy at best, but then all of the wood was soaked AND frozen, YMMV.

    If you need help, ASK!

    The Wise will "sleep" about 8, & we have had 10 or so in it sitting & standing, but it is tiny compared to our group. Even if there is no gear there, plan on being outside most of the weekend. Also, please try to keep your personal gear in/at your campsite & not in the shelter. Thanks!

    Last year (2010) WE had about 2 large garbage bags of "stuff" but carried out at least 4 large bags (my count) & I'm sure there was other stuff I didn't know about.

    I think every year we have left the area at least as good as (If not better than) we found it, and I think the tradition will continue. Just a word to the Wise, pun intended.

    Notes to those new to the AT shelter system & the Wise shelter:
    BRING YOUR OWN TOILET PAPER!! Treat your water. Clean up your mess.
    The predominate wind direction is from the West but it can blow from any and all directions, sometimes at (seemingly) the same time.
    Reminders to those new to the hangout: Be prepared for the cold, as mentioned, the weather can change drastically in minutes. Bring food, bring more food than you would for a similar summer outing. If you are even remotely thinking of doing a day hike, have a pack you can take with you for: food, water & extra items. Be sure that pack will allow you to remove / carry some of the clothing you start out with AND have a spare item for "just in case". (Food, water, extra jacket & socks, etc)
    Next year I’m going to try sticking a chemical toe warmer to my camera & see if that keeps it from freezing up.
    Bring a CCF pad that you can sit on or stand on to protect that part of your body just a little better from the cold. Mine is the support pad in my ULA OHM, & it works just fine.
    If you can carry it, bring a folding chair, the ones that totally fold up & fit in a tube like bag are popular & that is what I’ll be bringing. If I'm not using it, mine is available for use by others, but if you break it, you carry it out.
    Like last year, I’ll be bringing 2 HEAVY DUTY trash bags (bird food bags), but as I mention above, we often carryout more trash than we generate, so if you can, each bring at least 1 large trash bag for that, & help carry some of the “leavings” out.

    BE PREPARED FOR A GOOD TIME!

    If you need help, ASK!

    Thoughts from the 2010 hangout by those that were there:

    Keeping your camera battery warm, without also keeping your camera warm is an exercise in futility. (For those of you who believe in redundancy, two cameras freeze as well as one camera.).

    Leave them exposed to the cold & your batteries WILL freeze. So will your spares. An outside pocked on your parka is “exposed to the cold”.

    Why is it that when some people hear the phrase “Wild Animal,” they have an irresistible urge to immediately go up to the animal and try and pet them? Yes, even horses / ponies will bite!

    Bright and reflective guy lines help prevent falls/injuries.

    No matter how expensive the boot, the sole will still burn if placed too close to the fire.

    Never under estimate the slowest person in your hiking group….as they may be carrying all of the stuff that fell out of your pack as you sailed along the way.

    Wet socks cause colder feet. Also, when it is time to bed down, putting hand warmers in each of your boots and topping them off with dry socks keeps your boots from freezing. Carry several extra pairs of socks.

    It is far better to fess up to ignorance up front, so that you can learn (hopefully, less painfully) the easier way to do almost anything having to do with hiking and hammocking in cold weather.

    Anyone who still thinks that there is a “Weaker Sex” obviously has not gone to a Winter Hang.

    There are many folks on HF who could knit a Volkswagen if only you gave them some knitting needles, steel wool pads,…..and a challenge.

    Indians do not lust after cattle when they have venison, enough said.

    Not hearing “I’m right and you’re wrong;” and/or “There is only one solution;” for an entire 3 day time period is so refreshing!

    Waiting until you are fording shallow streams in low winter temperatures is NOT the time to discover that your “waterproof” boots aren’t.

    Water over the top of your boots will quickly (instantly) negate any waterproofing you may have applied!

    Just because folks are physically outside the main group, does not mean that they are not having a good time.

    A good attitude can overcome bad/wrong gear.

    Do not fail to immediately react when folks say, “Excuse me, but that’s my chair.” Better yet, bring your own chair.

    Buying YakTrax versus Kahtoolas (http://www.rei.com/product/774966) is a terrible place to economize….and may also be very hazardous to your health.

    Never underestimate the power of the cold.

    Trail names have little or no relationship to the personality of the person bearing them.

    Alcohol stoves do not fail in temps below freezing. By actual observation / use, they work well even at approximately 13 degrees.

    Following footsteps in the snow can take you in directions/places you would never even begin to imagine; but not necessarily where you want to go.

    In unknown terrain at night, when heavy mists/fog roll in and your visibility goes down to six feet or less, you better have taken a heading on your compass from the trailhead before you started, plus have a spare headlight handy.

    When you are getting ready to leave your vehicle at the trailhead triple check that all lights and other electrical devices are turned off.

    Good luck trumps having extra tickets at the raffle.

    Down Booties are WONDERFUL. Get the ones that allow you to walk around in camp.

    Salt covered cars make an excellent salt lick for the local deer & other critters. Makes an interesting pattern.

    Never wait until after sundown to go to an open-air privy. In the same vein, baby wipes/wet naps are completely useless once they freeze…. and you do not want to discover this important fact when you are trying to finish your privy activities.

    Battery operated stuff & anything else you don't want freezing should probably live in an inside jacket or shirt pocket the whole weekend.
    And they say about drying leather boots... "If it's to warm to hold your hand there, it's to warm for the leather boots. I've seen more than one pair of nice leather boots damaged, & probably more boot/shoe soles, trying to dry/warm them next to the fire.
    They need to be dried slowly.
    One good way to dry them might be by putting a hot water bottle inside each boot.
    A small snow shovel can be a “life saver” if it snows in the backcountry. They are great for digging out snowed in tarps/tents, & later snowed in cars. The two that were there in 2010 got a real workout. Mine is a kid’s shovel from Big Lots, & 2010 was it’s second time at Wise shelter (1st time used). If you Borrow a shovel, even if you asked, TAKE IT BACK TO THEM! Or at least to where you borrowed it from. I had to go look for mine several times in 2010, annoying. If you borrowed it without asking (& if mine, that is OK) Take it back to where you borrowed it, EVERY TIME! PLEASE!!!

    If you are going for a day hike: Tell several people what you are doing, who is going, where you are going, the route you will be taking & when you expect to be back!

    DIRECTIONS FROM THE PARK ENTRANCE:

    When you enter the park, it's all up hill & for a good ways.
    1st you will come to the check-in booth, which will be un-attended this time of year.
    There’s a fee for overnight parking & you'll find envelopes there to put your cash or check in. it has a tear-off to put on your mirror or dash w/ a number that matches the number on your payment envelope.
    This just lets the rangers know that you paid the parking fee for that vehicle.
    The cost is $8.00 (In 2010) for a two-night stay (per vehicle).
    As you continue up the park road you will pass the entrance to the picnic area on the right, keep going.
    A little ways farther, you will turn into the paved road leading to the campground. These are easy to see because of the normal, brown park signs.
    As soon as you turn onto the campground road, you will see the gravel parking area for overnight backpacking on the left, but unless you plan to hike in by a longer route, keep going on the campground road.
    As you begin to enter the campground, you will see a small building (divided by a breezeway) on the right, w/ a sign that says "country store".
    Straight across, on the left, is the parking area that will get you closest to the Wise shelter.

    At the backside of the parking lot, you'll see a wide, multi-use trail (like a forest service road) that you'll follow by foot.
    There are a couple trails that go off of that trail, but the main trail is obvious & you just stay on that, pretty much on a northerly heading.
    You will cross a creek that’s usually not deep but just wide enough that it could make it a challenge to keep your feet dry... depends on the water flow & if there is snow or ice on the rocks. A little ways on is a swampy area where a creek follows the trail, again, not too bad just watch your step. There is another small stream that most years you can step over. Just past this small stream the trail climbs a small hill, soon, on the LEFT, is a gate & a small “farm road” like path, if open, as during the past 2 years, follow this path up towards the AT, keep an eye open towards the right, soon you will see the Shelter. If not, when you get to the AT, go RIGHT 50’ to the shelter. If the farm gate is closed, continue about 20’ past to a “zig zag” stile, go through that & back to the farm road. There is a shorter route to the shelter from the main trail, but it is hard to describe, we will show you on the way out so that you know how next time. Be careful following footprints, they may not be going where you are going. Yep, it has happened!
    IF you miss the above turn & cross the 4th stream (nearly a river) continue a short way to the AT, Go LEFT & in about 200 yards, cross the bridge back over the “river” then a style over a fence, soon you will see the shelter.

    Note to those from warm climes, & those who are new to winter camping: If you get chilled when it drops to 70, bring way more clothing than you think you need. If the thought of staying in a walk in freezer for 24+ hrs in the winter clothing you have, makes you “Cold just thinking about it” get more clothing!! If too heavy to carry in, leave in car for “Just in case”. The walk to the shelter is less than 1.5 miles each way. If you go to the parking lot, and are willing to carry extra (& won’t loose the key) ask if any need anything from their cars &/or want to join you. I will always treasure my hike down & back with Pan in 07, my first year & first winter camping trip, I learned A LOT just talking with him! Thanks Jack!

    Bring a spare key or two to your car; this may save a long walk home. One of mine is pinned to the bottom of my pack so harder to loose.

    Some links:
    Last years (2010) summary post http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...highlight=Pulk

    A winter camper’s forum (not HF)
    http://www.wintercampers.com/

    For a discussion on “Using A Hot Water Bottle To Stay Warm” go to: http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=6313

    Discussion on keeping your water liquid: http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=21492

    Videos on lots of hammocking stuff with quite a few on winter hanging:
    http://www.youtube.com/user/shugemery
    IMHO: “MUST SEE” videos.

    IF YOU NEED HELP, ASK!
    Last edited by Doctari; 10-30-2010 at 10:43.
    When you have a backpack on, no matter where you are, you’re home.
    PAIN is INEVITABLE. MISERY is OPTIONAL.

  2. #2
    Senior Member Muskrat's Avatar
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    Well, count me in. Hoping to come Thursday afternoon but I won't know that until we get closer but that will be my intentions. I have a small chain saw that I can bring along with me to help take care of any (most) blowdowns that might be along the hike in. Hoping to have about 4-6 of my hanging buddies (some HF members but not all) to join me as well. I will confirm with them as we get closer, right now I am getting the "sure, I'll go." response but we know how plans change. It'll take an Act of Congress to change my plans!
    “He doesn't know the meaning of the word fear, but then again he doesn't know the meaning of most words”
    - Bobby Bowden

  3. #3
    Senior Member Doctari's Avatar
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    Bumping it up!

    Wish I could bump up me & time travel to Jan 19th.
    When you have a backpack on, no matter where you are, you’re home.
    PAIN is INEVITABLE. MISERY is OPTIONAL.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Doctari's Avatar
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    For those wanting Down booties for during "Stand around talking time" I found some for under $70.00 at
    http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=575904
    When you have a backpack on, no matter where you are, you’re home.
    PAIN is INEVITABLE. MISERY is OPTIONAL.

  5. #5
    Senior Member PuckerFactor's Avatar
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    Wooohooo!! Can't wait!

    PF
    It's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

    Formerly known as Acercanto, my trail name is MacGuyver to some, and Pucker Factor to others.

    It's not procrastinating, its proactively delaying the implementation of the energy-intensive phase of the project until the enthusiasm factor is at its maximum effectiveness. - Randy Glasbergen

  6. #6
    Senior Member Big Papi's Avatar
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    I'm in, even already cleared it with my now-pregnant wife.

  7. #7
    Senior Member WV's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Muskrat View Post
    Well, count me in. Hoping to come Thursday afternoon but I won't know that until we get closer but that will be my intentions. I have a small chain saw that I can bring along with me to help take care of any (most) blowdowns that might be along the hike in. Hoping to have about 4-6 of my hanging buddies (some HF members but not all) to join me as well. I will confirm with them as we get closer, right now I am getting the "sure, I'll go." response but we know how plans change. It'll take an Act of Congress to change my plans!
    Last year I noticed a number of blow-downs 100 ft. or so below the trail near the parking area. It may not be necessary to lug campfire wood all the way from there to the shelter, but it might be worth looking at them as a source for a Swedish candle or two.

  8. #8
    Senior Member NCPatrick's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Big Papi View Post
    I'm in, even already cleared it with my now-pregnant wife.
    Congratulations! (on both accounts)


    "Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities."
    - Mark Twain
    “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”
    - John Burroughs

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Auburn, MA
    Hammock
    JRB BMB
    Tarp
    JRB 11'x10'
    Insulation
    JRB TQ / UQ set
    Suspension
    JRB tri-glide
    Posts
    398

    How much Insulation?

    Although we all have different metabolisms and tolerance for cold, I think it might be helpful if previous attendees to this hang let us know what layers they used (from skin out).

    Based on expected overnight of 5 *F, I am planning on the following:

    JRB BMBH

    UQ: BA insulated aircore pad, Old Rag Mt. quilt, JRB Weather Shield

    TQ: 15*F sleeping bag nested in with Hudson River TQ

    Wearing: light wt wool base layer top and bottom, hvy. wt. socks [dry fresh pair], tuque, liner gloves

    Reserve: z-rest pad, down jacket, mid wt. wool pullover, fleece pants, down booties, balaclava, ski hat, wool mittens

    FYI:

    I am kind of conservative in that I consider my insulating layers used around the camp as reserve layers in the sleep system as opposed to incorporating them into my slepp system.

    In eariler years I needed a lot more layers and a lot heavier layers.

    Took me a number of years of winter tent camping plus alot of birthdays and Christmas's to get to this point.

    TJM
    Love my JRB BMB

  10. #10
    MacEntyre's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Trouble Ranch on Troublesome Creek, NC
    Hammock
    Molly Mac Gear
    Posts
    7,617
    Images
    6
    Quote Originally Posted by WV View Post
    Last year I noticed a number of blow-downs 100 ft. or so below the trail near the parking area. It may not be necessary to lug campfire wood all the way from there to the shelter, but it might be worth looking at them as a source for a Swedish candle or two.
    They would be well seasoned one year later! I'll bring my chainsaw...
    - MacEntyre
    "We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." - Ben Franklin
    www.MollyMacGear.com

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