First winter hang experience

**Hammockrookie** · 12-20-2011, 15:44

A short trip report from my first official winter hang.

A friend and I went out for an overnighter on Dec 10-11th. We started out at the Appalachian trail on Rt.309 north of Allentown, Pa. and hiked to the Lehigh River, approximately 13 miles. WHAT TRIP!

I won't bore you with details from the first day as anyone that has hiked the Appalachian Trail will confirm, it was mostly just views of the trees.

However, day 2 brought incredible views that will make me do that trip over and over again. I've attached the views of Bake Oven Knob (parking off of Ashfield Rd allows day hikers to bring spray paint I suppose), overlooking views of Palmerton, Bowmanstown, the Lehigh River and I threw in a pic of a frozen water bottle just for kicks.

Regarding the water bottle, my friend boiled the water before turning in and slept with it (ground dweller). It wasn't frozen when we woke up but, as you can see, it started to freeze as we hiked out.

I'm not sure what the temp got down to but was forcast to be 20*.

I now know that I wasn't prepared for that

but we had a great time and I would recommend the trip to anyone close by. Unless you like views of only trees, I would recommend starting from the Lehigh River side, hike 6-8 miles, camp, then backtrack on the "North trail" (Blue blazes....this is where the views are from).

**HangingKayaker** · 12-20-2011, 16:14

Happy to hear you made it through your first overnighter in cold temps. You'll quickly learn how to adapt as you go. Looks like a great area to live, hike and hang in!!

**PA Pathfinder** · 12-20-2011, 17:29

Always nice around there

i dont live to far from there and was thinking of spending a night up there with my new hammock once i get a couple of odds and ends in order looks like ya had a fun time

**creativeKayt** · 12-21-2011, 11:29

OH, YAY!! Good job on your first winter hang and thanks for taking us along. Love the shots!

**Just Jeff** · 12-21-2011, 11:43

Great pics and report! Winter trips are special partly because there are so many fewer people out there to share the woods with, and partly because of the huge increase in confidence you get from knowing you can stay comfortable in conditions that keep most folks homebound. Sounds like you just took a big step in the right direction!