Winter Backpacking in Zaleski State Forest

[outlan]

OK, seasoned hangers, don't criticize my rig here--I'm still fairly new to hammock camping.

Thought you all might enjoy my overnight stay with a buddy in the woods of southeastern Ohio.

[12trysomething]

Nice report - I also get a little chilled after my early morning pee, I think due to the big change in temps. Thanks for sharing!

[Xtrm tj]

I will check this out tonight at home....I want to make a trip Zaleski soon, never been. And I live in Ohio....wow.

[outlan]

I think you'll like it. It's a scenic area with some pretty good trails. I'd say, for Ohio, it's about as good as it gets for us. I typically backpack in KY/TN, but when I can't make it that far I opt for Zaleski. Just beware--the hanging options aren't *great*. There are designated tent sites and it's a little hard to find perfectly spaced trees for hanging. But, we did it.

[outlan]

Nice report - I also get a little chilled after my early morning pee, I think due to the big change in temps. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for watching!

[gbolt]

Outlan,

If you like Zaleski, check out Tar Hollow. Pro's are a little closer to Dayton, a little longer loop (choose the North or the South loop), a little tougher hiking but not as bad as Shawnee State Forest and not as used or travelled as Zaleski. Con's are cost of $6 or $8 dollars per night for the Backpackers campsite up on the Fire Tower Ridge, no water tanks so must filter and carry or cache water (but a pro if you want practice with the Sawyer), and in summer time it's not as far off the road as Zaleski campsites. However, I have found a few more "hang trees" because it is not used nearly as much by actual primative backpackers. If you get tired of Orange Blazes, Tar Hollows are Red, lol. I also watched a You Tube clip on the Adena Trace Trail in Indiana that may be closest of all (besides overnights in Germantown Twin Metropark).

Thanks for taking us along! Your rig is fine if you don't get chilled till morning! I am not ready to attempt below 50* night temps because I haven't purchased the UQ or TQ yet. So I enjoyed watching and was jealous. I had the same chilled experience last summer when the night temp dropped into the low 60*. Not a bone chill or cold extremities; but more just a body shiver reaction. It may deal with hydration and or caloric intake, because breakfast really made a difference for me. Seemed to warm up the most after I ate.

Also had the coyote's most of the night. That is a turkey managment area to the NE of camp D. That may be why they are so noisy. They are at their worst on full moon nights and were not heard at all when the moon wasn't present one trip.

Hope to subscribe to your channel that was listed in another Thread. Keep on Hiken!

[Bannerstone]

Thanks Outlan,

Missing Zaleski quite a bit lately, hope we can meet up in April at Mohican.

David

[peterhase]

Very nice. Nothing beats a night out in a peaceful, quiet forest

[firelight]

Thanks for sharing your trip with us. I enjoyed the kind of relaxed style of your video; sort of like we were just walking along with you.

[outlan]

Thanks, everyone! Here is an earlier hammocking vid my friend and I did in the Big South Fork in 2013.

http://youtu.be/upi0U4_0gAY