12 nights a year

[PopcornFool]

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I recently stumbled on this long-running thread and really liked the idea. I started my own personal "12 nights" challenge on the banks of Lake Kerr (on the VA/NC border) last weekend. I thought it would be a great first opportunity to test out the 20* Incubator UQ I'd just bought. Temps got down to 21* overnight (lower than I had anticipated) but I was toasty warm. Win-win! What a great way to start the new year!

You can't read it very well, but I thought I would document each monthly outing this year with a pre-printed sign that shows the date and location. I guess I need to get a better camera or a bigger piece of paper!

And please forgive the sullen expression. I really AM having a good time. It's just that I was trying to take a selfie and I couldn't get the angle/sun/frame/timing/etc. all just right and this was like the 10th attempt. I was a bit frustrated by this point and forgot to smile.

Welcome to the challenge, Popcornfool! I love the scowl and understand the struggle! I think you're gonna have fun with this!

I've been dealing with a load of family health issues...including a serious messed up back for myself, but I'm gonna do a simple yard hang tonight...supposed to get into single digits by some forecasts. Should be a nice cold weather hang!

It's been 18 months since I first took on this challenge in January 2021. I got a hang in all 12 months last year and only one yard hang! Took pix of every trip. Ditched the "signs" idea after January's rough start, but lots more smiling! (yep ... probably some sort of correlation there - lol). I left myself out of the December photo to give everyone a break from looking at my grinning mug.)

Sorry that it has taken me this long to find time to download them, sort them, put them in a collage, and get around to posting here.
12-Nights Collage 2021.jpg
I had such a great time doing it that I've continued the streak into 2022. Watch for another collage next year. I'll try to package it a little sooner than June in 2023.

[Karla "with a k"]

For my 78th month, I'm so proud to say BOTH of my nieces joined me!!! First time for the 7 year old and third time for the 11 year old.

Thank you, Swung, for the hand-me-down stands and walking me through how to convert them for three hangers. The girls loved how my two tarps made a "fort-like" structure and my cat, Kizme, stood guard in the middle of us all night in his new cat screen tent.

[TreeBeard13]

Had to go backyard. Did some testing on some improvised 50F and up UQ.

[Hobopelican]

#82. Backyard here, also. Decided to break out my original rig, a old, faded, DreamHammocks Roaming Gnome. Double layer Hyper D w/ permanent netting. A tad on the heavy side for backpacking, but dang, it's comfy! Hung out in a camp chair reading and sipping Jack before crashing... great night! (no UQ needed!).

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[Hobopelican]

#83. Winding down. Been doing this for almost 7 years and I've experienced quite a range of conditions. Down pours, Snowstorms, Lighting storms, temps from 105F down to 9F, Wind gusts up to about 35knots. Dealt with skeeters, tarantulas, scorpions, coyotes, deer, and insistent raccoons. Amazing scenery and state park drive-in spots. I think I've tested my gear in about everything I'm likely to come across. So, after next month, my 84th consecutive month of hanging, I'm likely going to stop posting here. I'll still keep an eye on this thread, 'cause I like hearing from others pushing their gear, but I'll be doing my monthly hangs privately. Hope to see y'all further down the trail!



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[Draketake]

Hobo,

Thanks for all the input and information.

Be safe.

Bob

[slugbait]

I'm in awe of your accomplishment! I only made it through one year and then just barely.

[planenut]

Not sure I will make the 12 months but will give it a try..

So Far:
July 30th Marsh Harbor, Abaco Bahamas
August 5th Marsh Harbor, Abaco Bahamas

[Crazytown3]

planenut, that looks incredibly pleasant. So far so good I would say.

[PopcornFool]

Not sure I will make the 12 months but will give it a try..

So Far:
July 30th Marsh Harbor, Abaco Bahamas
August 5th Marsh Harbor, Abaco Bahamas

Love the broom-facilitated porch mode!