hammocks and whitewater

**rchang72** · 08-04-2013, 22:37

Got to try out the hammock for first time on a trip. My son's troop went white water rafting in the New River. My first time. Totally the best. Already looking at the Gauley. The 2 day trip would be neat.

As for the hammock, first night took forever to get dialed in with the pad. After that slept like a rock. The next night, UCR slipped hard. I had hung my wet towel on it. Will use the tarp ridgeline next time. Hard bump, nothing hurt except my ego. As for the UCR, the bury had almost fused tight in the middle because of the slipppage? Anyways, got it worked out and slept good for the rest of night.

In review, CRL for tarp was way fast. The Dutch clips and UCR worked well. My hammock good, Fronkey net kept bugs out. Definitely need a UQ, Jarbidge on order from AHE sale. I also got stuff to make my own quilt, think will do a down TQ. Wonder if it makes sense to have a down on top and synthetic underneath (just thinking the UQ more likely to get wet?)

Also will need to think how to do a program for the scouts. A number were very intrigued. Think will teach them to make Whoopie slings and whipping to gather tablecloth hammocks.

**Mountnman** · 08-05-2013, 00:30

I was a white water guide for 2 yrs after getting out of the service, best two summers of my life. Sounds like you got it goin on with your set up, keep us posted on your progress on the DIY stuff

**L.D. Cakes** · 08-05-2013, 06:23

I'm going on a whitewater trip this weekend and half of the group I've converted to hangers. We go when it rains because it makes the rivers higher so hammocks just make sense.

**sr1355** · 08-05-2013, 06:33

Oh Man, Green with ENVY!!! Not much WW in Michigan. Glad you hada great time and are hooked. Gauley River is extreme in fall and upper is a big ride even in a 8 man raft. Lots of info here on BS hammock programs, just do a little poking around and you should find some good info... Down Top Synthetic Bottom no problem...

**L.D. Cakes** · 08-05-2013, 06:48

Oh yeah, The Gauley is a monster! I got hit in the chest with a 12 foot wave that lifted me up like a rag doll. I was in the front with a person between me & the guide in the back. The guide grabbed me as I was being carried by the wave past him and kept me from going into the drink! That rapid was Mash on the Lower.
Gauley Fest is coming up in Sept and is one of our favorite events. You can also do the New River too while you're in the area.

**Mountnman** · 08-05-2013, 14:29

Originally Posted by L.D. Cakes

Oh yeah, The Gauley is a monster! I got hit in the chest with a 12 foot wave that lifted me up like a rag doll. I was in the front with a person between me & the guide in the back. The guide grabbed me as I was being carried by the wave past him and kept me from going into the drink! That rapid was Mash on the Lower.
Gauley Fest is coming up in Sept and is one of our favorite events. You can also do the New River too while you're in the area.

Wow I haven't been to Gauley fest in at least 10 yrs, It was always a blast