Okay, I'll start, but I'm the rookie of the four of us that made the three day, two night adventure to Mount Rainier National Park.
Rolling from home relatively early on Friday morning. Missed connecting with Dedominick for a carpool, but did not get either of us off track. Met up with Coil and Zugcat at Highlanders in Ashford for lunch. Dedominick met us there about the time we were done with lunch, so he got his to go.
Brief stop at the backcountry registration counter, Dedominick chained up...creatively, proving the benefits of mule tape run far and wide and that a creative and motivated hammock camper will not be stopped.
Arrived at Paradise, parked in the designated area and began to pull the pulks out of our rigs. Happy to see that both Coil and Zugcat had pulks as filled as mine. They each sport a cool Gary_R pulk with different customizations, mine is my own DIY from a Lucky Dog sled and the rickshaw belt/poles from our Chariot stroller. Dedominick was the only brave soul packing it in on his back. I was using my splitboard for the first time in three or four years, hoping it would be better than snowshoes, but I had the snowshoes along for the ride...just in case.
The plan was not too aggressive, do a slight descend from the parking area around the Mazama Ridge road, picking someplace to head off trail up toward the ridge. No intentions to go to the ridge, or too far, just trying to get out in the fresh mountain air with snow and friends. Needless to say that mission was so accomplished. Having left the parking area pretty late, we did not have much daylight with which to play, so we struck off.
Second bridge, hang a left, up a short hill, cross a open snowfield with loose glades and there is a nice grove of pines situated just for us. We started making camp and getting our shelter prepared, all toiling away happily. Then, I noticed something...what the heck kind of hammock is that red thingy there, Coil?
First night's temps were the coldest, hit 14 on a couple of our thermometers. Inside my WBBB and sock I found at least 10-15 degrees warmer temps! Good piece of kit for sure! Set up my WBBB with HG 20 degree Incubator and HG 0 degree Burrow. I was way more comfortable than expected, as this was my first actual winter hang. I've camped in the snow in the Midwest (NE Indiana), PA, Europe and the PNW, but always on the ground. Second night's temps were around 22 and I found myself actually heated and venting on a few occasions throughout the night.
The camp common area was cool. Creatively crafting and customizing our seating spaces by cutting out blocks with Coil's snowsaw was fun, and a good way to warm up when the chill started to set in. All I can say is I'm a novice in this category, and Coil, Zugcat and Dedominick all had way cooler ice lounger/kitchen areas than I.
Gear was cool too. Coil is a beast, lugging out a bunch of fresh proteins and veggies to cook up in his camping wok, yes I said wok! This is a full sized wok and he cooked some awesome smelling and looking meals in his wok over his Svea. Zugcat has his Svea too, first time I've seen them in action, pretty cool things for sure. Dedominick's canister and Jetboil system worked pretty well, even roared when the canister was placed into a pot of water. My Brunton white gas stove ran reliably and I found that I need to do a bit of work on my MSR Whisperlite before it is ready to roll.
This looked like a reflectix convention, although the tent camping, wok toting Coil opted to not bring along any reflectix, except for hiding some in his camp shoes as thermal liners. We all deduced that snow's abrasive qualities thrashes the silvery layer fast, but reflectix would make a really slick gliding sled...should you have any wonder.
I was delighted that my, as of yet unnamed, snow melting pot worked awesome. I fabricated it myself, repurposing a 6# tomato can for the pot and removing the bottom of a 5L Newcastle Brown beer keg and making a nifty lid for my pot. I dare not call it a Hillbilly pot, for fear of offending ShugShuggity himself. Name suggestions welcome. I think I ran my stove for about a straight hour, melting snow like a champ, and refilling all the water bottles around camp. This was my first white gas camping stove use, and I learned a lot thanks to the support of the group.
Conversation was grand, beer was brewed in the backcountry by both Coil and I. Wine was enjoyed by all, and when Dedominick and I hiked back out to the visitors center to look for three of his college buddies (that could not see the trail marking gnome left prominently for them to follow to our camp) he hiked in a few of their left over PBR tallboys, and we put them to good use too.
After two glorious nights it was time to return home...but not before having a Boinker Burger (burger, lettuce, onion, bacon, cheese and peanut butter) in Elbe on the way out.
My photos were limited, my experience single perspective...time for the other three to chime in with their additions!
I know the other three are close to 100% for the upcoming Oregon hang. I'm hopeful that I can add my name to the list of attendees...trying to convince the whole family, or at least one brave daughter to attend. Off to you gents!
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