BrianSD_42
New member
I'm headed to Yosemite tomorrow for 2.5 days of backpacking!
Backpacking
- Thread starter MStudt
- Start date
MStudt
official vendor
I picked up an OR Transcendent down jacket a couple months that is pretty warm. I also have a Sherpa Adventure Gear wool 1/4 zip that is comparable to the Microchill. I think with the Sherpa, OR Transcendent, mid weight base layer, and my shell I should be fine for winter. It's only the first couple months that I'm really trying to place for. We'll be going out on a trip in mid November to test out how warm we're going to be with what we have.
You need more than 2.5 days for Yosemite! We're already talking about what to do when we're done with the AT. I think we're going to work for a year and then take off again for a summer only though. We're thinking about hiking the Colorado Trail (about 500 miles in 30 days), and then heading to the JMT (about 210 miles).
Have fun in Yosemite and post up some pictures when you get back!
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MStudt
official vendor
Just got back from a 2 night trip with the new hammock. I don't think I'll be sleeping on the ground ever again, unless it's below 30. I was able to make some whoopies the first night, and got them on during lunch my second day. Having whoopies sure does make everything a lot easier to set-up. I'm going to put on a fixed ridge line next for my bug net. I also just picked up a Grand Trunk Ultralight off eBay for $8 shipped.
MtnT4R
New member
we got another convert! careful with that Grand Trunk, I slept in mine somewhere around 10 nights before it split in half at the campfire one afternoon. They are the lightest on the market but the weight savings do come at a bit of a cost. Not bad for $8 though!
MStudt
official vendor
That is a bit concerning to me about it splitting. I guess for $8 I'm losing out on a lot if this happens. I'm going to invest in an ENO Double Nest, they're just out of them at the moment. Even my wife who was not keen on the idea of hammocks wants to give it a try.
MtnT4R
New member
I think if you treat it a little more carefully than I did you should be ok. Looking at where the tear started it looked like I got in it with some sort of gear that stressed one area of the material(used my backpack with carabiners and whatnot as a pillow) and a couple uses later, down she went.
One more disclaimer; set it up close to the ground. The material they use is pretty slick and I hit the deck a couple times pretty hard before I learned to ease into it a little more carefully. Never fell out in the middle of the night or anything, but getting into it was a little interesting haha
MStudt
official vendor
Get this to last for seven months might be a bit of a chore. The person I bought it from is also going to send me a Grand Trunk Single. Picking up both for $30 with shipping.
The only thing that I need to figure out is how to hand two side by side. I'm considering making a bug net that will fit both. Ideally I like to get them under one tarp as well.
MtnT4R
New member
Never tried side by side, but I did stack two once and it actually worked pretty well. hang the lower hammock so its almost touching the ground when loaded, and hang the upper maybe 2.5ft higher up the tree. Also minimizes the coverage you need for a tarp..
MStudt
official vendor
I might try stacking them in a couple weeks when we're on a 4 day canoe trip. I'm trying to figure out the bug net situation. I'm looking into the Grand Trunk mosquito net, but unsure. I'd like to be able to find something that would allow me to stack them if I go that route. I like the idea of stacking since like you said, I won't need as big of a tarp.
I was talking with the wife last night about taking these on the AT instead of a tent. She's concerned about the weight of everything, and that it'll be heavier than our tent. I now have to prove to that I can get everything under the weight of our Golite tent which is right at 5lbs.
MtnT4R
New member
Eno and Kammok make some decent skeeter nets, but I think most companies only make them to fit over one hammock. You could try making your own? I cant imagine it would be too difficult to buy the netting and sew it together. I might go that route this summer.
A well thought out hammock setup can be lighter than a tent for one person, but everything for 2 people is right in the same weight range as most tents. I'm curious to see how see what you come up with.
A well thought out hammock setup can be lighter than a tent for one person, but everything for 2 people is right in the same weight range as most tents. I'm curious to see how see what you come up with.
larrylegend
New member
Sounds like you are sold on the hammocks. I bought a warbonnet blackbird and have been sold on them since. My friend has a Hennessy and he is sold too.
I would suggest trying to make your own mosquito nets. The ones you can purchase are a bit on the heavy side and are expensive.
I would suggest trying to make your own mosquito nets. The ones you can purchase are a bit on the heavy side and are expensive.
MStudt
official vendor
I'm most likely going to try and make my own. At least this way I know I'll be making something that will work. I don't think making a net is going to be that hard. Just a lot of measuring to make sure it's right.
That's what I'm starting to notice. I should be able to make one that weighs at least 1/3 of the ENO. No stupid clips to hang it with, just the ridge line.
MStudt
official vendor
Just a couple pictures from our trip to Colorado for Labor Day.
Heading up to Parika Lake in Never Summer Wilderness.
This was her first trip to Colorado, and over 6,000'. She did great, and was running circles around us until this point. She's also going to be tagging along for our AT thru-hike this year.
Testing out the new Hyperlite Mountain Gear pack. It's the 3400 Windrider Pack and weighs 32ozs.
Clouds rolling in the next morning. Hard some nasty storms and temps in the upper 20's that night. Had to head down a day early due to bad weather.
Strutting her stuff in her new Ruffwear gear.
Heading up to Parika Lake in Never Summer Wilderness.
This was her first trip to Colorado, and over 6,000'. She did great, and was running circles around us until this point. She's also going to be tagging along for our AT thru-hike this year.
Testing out the new Hyperlite Mountain Gear pack. It's the 3400 Windrider Pack and weighs 32ozs.
Clouds rolling in the next morning. Hard some nasty storms and temps in the upper 20's that night. Had to head down a day early due to bad weather.
Strutting her stuff in her new Ruffwear gear.
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aha2988
New member
Just took a glance at the boots an backpacks page and saw on your gear list the Asolo boots. Love those things I've gotten a new pair every two years since I first put a set on my feet. going on about 7 years now running that boot haven't found anything to compare yet! I recently switched over from the fugitive gtx to the Asolo Drifter GV, they incorporated the vibram soles. 10x better on soft wet terrain traction wise.
I noticed your using the Katadyn filter weighing in at 13oz.. The MSR sweet water weighs 11oz's and the hyperflow MSR filter weighs in just under 8oz's. The sweetwater has a core option that will eliminate virus's as well. I prefer these as they hook right up to the threads of a nalgene lid so you can pump right out of the spring or river into the bottle.
lol just gabbing i reckon.. January is just around the corner man I'm sure your getting pumped! I'm still up to schedule a trip to the AT whenever y'all will be passing through the grayson highlands area on the tip of Virginia. Would be happy to provide a supply stop for ya.
I noticed your using the Katadyn filter weighing in at 13oz.. The MSR sweet water weighs 11oz's and the hyperflow MSR filter weighs in just under 8oz's. The sweetwater has a core option that will eliminate virus's as well. I prefer these as they hook right up to the threads of a nalgene lid so you can pump right out of the spring or river into the bottle.
lol just gabbing i reckon.. January is just around the corner man I'm sure your getting pumped! I'm still up to schedule a trip to the AT whenever y'all will be passing through the grayson highlands area on the tip of Virginia. Would be happy to provide a supply stop for ya.
MtnT4R
New member
I'm glad you brought this up. I used a Katadyn for a few years, but there is NOTHING in the market that competes with Sawyer Water Filtration Products - Sawyer
I have one of their squeeze filters that weighs in at a solid 3oz, and with the exception of the new Sawyer mini, all of their filters come with a 1 million gallon guarantee; they basically last forever. Just somethin to think about!
MStudt
official vendor
Got a pack question for somebody. I'm in the marker for another pack. I'm stuck between a couple, and not sure which way to go on this.
These are the ones I'm considering:
Granite Gear- Virga 2 (frameless)
Gossamer Gear- Gorilla (aluminum support tube)
I'm leaning towards the Gossamer Gear pack.
These are the ones I'm considering:
Granite Gear- Virga 2 (frameless)
Gossamer Gear- Gorilla (aluminum support tube)
I'm leaning towards the Gossamer Gear pack.
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