So i went up to the north shore these last couple days and definitely learn a couple things about hanging and figured I'd share my experience with you here.
So the first night (Sunday) we stayed some place just south of Duluth because we were getting up there pretty late. I set my self up on two trees that were just a little to close, about 12 ft. Not the most comfortable lay for the Ridge Runner. I made it work for the night, but probably should have just changed it before i went to bed. Had a creek in my neck in the morning, Once i got up in the morning around 6:30 cause i was just sick of trying to get some decent sleep in the thing. I found the perfect tree just to the right about 10 feet. Gotta be more diligent about picking my trees was my first lesson.
Second night we went up to Tettegouche state park and were the only one there, at least in the cart-in sites. So the lady at the desk talked us into getting the scenic view site right on a 40ft cliff above the lake. Sounded great! I decided to pitch about 20ft from the cliffs edge thinking i would have an awesome view in the morning. Well not paying attention to the weather was my big mistake here. Monday night and Tuesday morning a storm rolled in off the lake. My Superfly held up pretty good, I could see water slowing coming in through the pullout which i expected after doing some reading. But the wind was my real enemy that night. We were getting gust of 30mph wind at 38 degrees out and to top it off the waves were hitting the cliffs hard enough to send water over the top and on to my tarp and through my head door. By 4 am my stakes on my head door were getting ripped out of the ground, and just leaving the doors flapping hard, and blowing water onto my down UQ. My tarp just caught the wind to like a sail, the side parallel to the cliff was completely bowed in and the opposing side was completely bowed out with my left swaying back and forth. So i ended up getting up twice before dawn to reset door anchors and on the third time the sun was finally up and i had had enough of getting tossed around all night. I got up and ripped everything down and reset under a bunch of evergreen that blocked the wind off the lake and also gave me cover from above. My second lesson was to pitch out of the wind, give yourself some cover from the element especially when the weather isn't going to cooperate.
Third night was pretty good. I had my new spot with tree cover. I could hear the waves crashing against the rocks but didn't have to deal with the water the brought up top. I was out of the wind for the most part so my tarp staying where it was suppose to no bowing in. But with the Ridge Runner you just cant close the doors all the way. So I think what I am going to do in mod the doors with 4 loops of gross gain and make some shock cord prussiks with cord locks and a 2"x.5" piece of plastic so they are easy to close up tight, still leaving a 6"x6" open at the top because of the suspension. But i think if i can get the doors really closed up tight i can trap a little more heat.
All in all i had a great time. Got to test my new WBRR and Superfly along with my new DIY UQ. Some mods to work on and alot of things learned.
Ive attached the picture of my set up from the second night when nature came at me with a vengence.
Hope you enjoyed, and maybe it will help someone else going out for there first time.
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