I'm alive! James John Wilderness Adventure

[wildernessninja]

Made it out on my first hang ever for the Memorial Day weekend and, despite what friends and family thought might happen, I'm still alive (despite sleeping in a hammock). It got down to about 35 or maybe a little less and I slept great in my ENO Junglenest, Thermarest Z Pad and my Thermarest 40 degree Regulas. I definitely will be trying out a KAQ from Arrowhead for my next trip and I wish I could have forked it for this one. I wouldn't mind getting an actual light weight tarp for the pack either but one thing at a time. I had to pack in an 8x10 Walmart tarp this time and I can't wait to shed some weight there.

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I did have to adjust a couple times in the middle of the night with the pad but other than that I slept really well. I'm a shorter guy so the Junglenest fit me well enough. Thanks to this forum and all those getting started videos by Shug the 3rd person I managed to have a great time with confidence. 3 days and two nights in the James John Wilderness watching Elk enjoy the closed season and climbing Fishers Peak in Southern Colorado was a long awaited retreat for me.

Happy hanging everyone!

[Canoefor2]

Sounds like a great time. Now go when the elk are bugling

[Spark]

Nice trip. I'm not familiar with James John Wilderness area. Most of our trips have been around Pagosa.

[wildernessninja]

Nice trip. I'm not familiar with James John Wilderness area. Most of our trips have been around Pagosa.

Definitely nothing wrong with that area near Pagosa, Spark. I'm looking forward to one or two short trips over that way this summer as well. Any mountians West of I-25 in Southern Colorado will not disappoint for sure. The James John is a little open for me once you get to the higher elevation but the views are seemingly endless up high there too. I like the areas that are a little more wooded and with streams for fishing - but it's still very pretty up there and wildlife thrives in those rolling hilltops atop the James John for sure.

[Les Rust]

Congrats on a good first hang. Like most folks, it takes some time to get all the gear straightened out and working right--and then you'll decide to do something different anyway! Welcome to the ongoing pursuit of the perfect night in the woods.

[karbo]

until recently i was using the home depot 8x10 and the 10x12 tarps, after a heavy rain i noticed it bleed through. I went with the hennessy hex 10x12 from amazon @ 70.00. This so far is my most expensive piece of equipment. Happy hanging.

[Scubahhh]

Great story, and it sounds like a great adventure! Especially cool that you can make it happen and make it fun while getting in a little at a time, without having to invest thousands all at once before you even know whether you like it!

Now, of course, you've got the bug. An under-quilt here, a tarp there, a little bling bling bling, and there goes the kids' college fund!

If you're looking around Pagosa CO, check with my friends Stacy and Greg Boone, who own Step Outdoors.
http://stepoutdoorscolorado.com/

[wildernessninja]

Great story, and it sounds like a great adventure! Especially cool that you can make it happen and make it fun while getting in a little at a time, without having to invest thousands all at once before you even know whether you like it!

Now, of course, you've got the bug. An under-quilt here, a tarp there, a little bling bling bling, and there goes the kids' college fund!

If you're looking around Pagosa CO, check with my friends Stacy and Greg Boone, who own Step Outdoors.
http://stepoutdoorscolorado.com/

I'll do that, Scubahh. Yeah, I was actually glad I was able to make it happen on a budget but you nailed it. Tarp n underquilt are next on the list.