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Indeed head warmth is just as, and maybe more, important. In addition to the down hood, I add a fleece beanie and fleece buff, such that sometimes my entire face is covered.

Yes, tight clothing...

I go to ground when it's below zero (Fahrenheit, or -17.7°C).

Hammock kit simply gets too bulky at that point, what with two giant puffy quilts. And a shelter such as my MLD Duomid that pins right...

docbrown's advice is good.

But you definitely want to trail-test your hammock with a sleep mat vs UQ. Early on I tried both air and CCF mats with the hammock and found them totally unworkable for...

Ha, so it's a bug net! Good find. :)

Of course California has nearly limitless opportunities in almost every environment imaginable, rain forest to snowy mountains to desert.

A couple of other places I backpacked while there were Mt...

You can keep track of your progress with an online spreadsheet such as Lighterpack. It is free and a great way to organize things, although it is nice to have a good scale and not depend on...

The more you ponder it the astonishing-er it gets.

The designer clearly hadn't even the most rudimentary knowledge of modern camping hammocks. You'd think they would do a *little* research on...

Actually, Insect Shield is a permethrin treatment that is claimed to be permanent (70 washings).

Most people use some sort of permethrin spray or soak... google Martin's permethrin and how to mix...

You're welcome and no doubt others will find more nits to pick but those are major non-starters, not mere nits! :mellow:

WM gear is very high quality. I've owned a couple of bags over the years, including a -25°F Puma sleeping bag, and they're definitely top shelf regards to materials and construction, and I'm sure...

I have done that many times — puffy over WPB/VB — and in my opinion it helps, both for increased warmth and reduction of moisture in quilts. Also using plastic grocery bags as VB socks. Frost inside...

LOL yeah Stephenson stuff is kinda ugly. But functional! :laugh:

However I have no qualms about using the Frogg Toggs rain jacket on occasion, so lack of fashion is most assuredly not a concern...

Re: WPB as VB, I agree with you that it slows the rate of vapor transmission and does indeed help.

A multi-purpose "VB suit" that I've mentioned before — and apologies if I'm beating it to death,...

Welcome to HF from downstate NY! Good luck in your research and preparation for your thru hike.

Even those who have not sustained serious injuries find that hiking with a light pack makes the...

I lived in Monterey for a couple of years but wasn't backpacking much then.

However, when I did go I went down to Big Sur and accessed the Ventana Wilderness from there. Beautiful country.

OK that sounds like a different situation. I assumed it was for backpacking or thru hiking, at most. There are other HF folks who have much more experience with this long-term deployment scenario,...

As you know, this actually does work... to a point. In 'serious' cold you might ('probably' as it gets colder) see condensation and the formation of ice deeper and deeper into the insulating...

Hahaha, I know... pure heresy! :scared:

Yep, seriously icky this weekend. I don't cancel for a little rain but I would for this.

My thoughts and best wishes go out to the thru hikers who are...

I think you'll be very pleased. Even without cat cuts the ground tarp he made for me from Xenon 0.9 remains fairly taut.

This tarp was pitched about 3:30 the previous afternoon and had not been...

At that price point it'll probably be nearly as cheap and certainly less hassle to achieve your goal! :)

Indeed, just get out and do it. Most fears are misplaced or greatly exaggerated. :cool:

Except in grizzly country. :mellow:

Every time I see your location I'm a bit envious. I've done Kings...

Grrr... so that was you!! :lol:

Indeed, I know many spots like that in Harriman... "Ohhh, I gotta camp there sometime!"

I love that little area just north of Stockbridge as well.

That might be because it's quite subjective, depending entirely on how much the quilts are compressed. With enough compression you could probably get a 0deg incubator with 20D shell smashed down to...

Finally got to watch this.

So nice to load up the equivalent of a 'knapsack' and take a short jaunt into the woods for a quiet break... very well done! :cool:

And it doesn't require a lot of...

Taking a nap beside flowing water is a peak experience.

Last weekend we camped both nights near 1) a waterfall and 2) a flowing brook and it really does enhance sleep.

How much wind do you anticipate? Anything up to 40 mph I wouldn't worry about too much, but still try to find spots with as much natural wind protection as possible. Best thing is to get out there...

For warmer weather there are very light UQs that would rival a reflectix sheet on weight... for example, a Loco Libre Operator series Habanero that weighs in at a whopping 8.4oz and packs down very,...

Sorry it didn't work out for you this year but life happens and things change. The trail will always be there. :)

Welcome from New York State, USA! :)

Based on this description I'd say stick with symmetrical.

Personally, I sleep head right and find that the other direction feels weird and uncomfortable.

People's preferences vary wildly, so go...

Cougarmeat sums up nicely the advantages of CRL as I also see them.

One thing to remember about shock cord (elastic, bungee) is that once it reaches its limits of stretch it becomes a static cord....

I have, and use, tarps made of both DCF and other materials, although DCF usually wins. I'm debating with myself right now whether to take the slightly larger (and heavier) Dutch Xenon tarp on a trip...

Whatever your hammock configuration, net or netless, it might still be a good idea to have a head net.

A few years back some friends and I did the Copper Ridge loop in North Cascades and overall...

That's a tough call because it's hard to say, without experiencing both, which one you'll ultimately prefer. I started off with GE and didn't have any problems with it (DH Darien) but, just for the...

Maybe consider Argon 67, and now 49, which are breathable yet very wind and splash resistant all on their own.

I've got a HG Incubator made with Argon 67 which on its maiden voyage (January '18)...

Ha, I'd imagine yours looks similar! :laugh:

I posted this pic not too long ago. Even the .67 camo hex disappears into my 35L pack...
...

Comparison of the Dutchware hex (Xenon 1.1, 11 ft, left) and HG hex (DCF .51, 11 ft, right), including all cordage and stakes (wrapped inside).

If you do the zig-zag fold-n-roll method, neither of...

Catenary edge cuts help a lot. They effectively lengthen the edges which distributes more tension to the middle of the panel.

One must also pay close attention to achieving optimum guy line angle...

Catenary edge cuts help a lot. Put more tension in the center of the panel.

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Indeed, plenty of latitude for individual preferences! You've had your style and kit well tuned for a long time so no need to change what works.

I nearly always have the tarp fully deployed when I...

Yes, to me it's really much more about the volume and not so much the 35g weight difference. The snakeskin takes upore than twice the space of the zigzag fold n roll technique.

Sent from my...

You done good, Rhody! :laugh:

As you've seen already, a world of difference between the mass market cheapie and the Chameleon.

I guess orange is the new camo. I don't know what possessed me,...

I use these Myerstech straps and I definitely would not use buckles with them. Same as Warbonnet's warning against using buckles with their own Becket Straps.... these materials are simply too light...

Welcome back! :)

As you know, there's a wealth of information available when you're ready for it. And no shortage of informed opinions as well. :cool:

For webbing knot at the tree, maybe consider slipped buntline hitch. Releases easily. It's a constrictor so you can snug it up the tree and it won't fall down while you're busy adjusting other stuff.

This is true... for a lot of trips where taller folk would need full-length, a shortie works for me. My 20deg rated shortie gets a lot of use.

Also, I have experimented with 105" and 115" for an 11 footer and found both to be quite acceptable.

BUT, I'm 5'8" (I used to be 5'9" but my GP doc tells me I've shrunk :eek:) which presents fewer...

Aha, this is a key point. We always think of UCRs losing their grip from the non-load end, but if there's little or no tension from the loaded end then that can slip as well.

Best to just figure...

Not knowing how well versed you might be with UCRs, I wonder if the non-load end of the outer cord is adequately secured, and how.

Some instructions show a prusik or other friction knot being used...