Missouri fall or frozen butt hang?

[Br@nch]

Based on the comments so far, it sounds to me like the date is pretty much set.

Last year most of the participants showed up at the Hwy A trailhead parking lot on Friday afternoon and camped that first night around a pre-existing fire ring located a stone's throw from the lot. This provided an easy bail-out option for anyone whose equipment wasn't quite up to the brutal -2F low temp we encountered that night. Hopefully this knowledge will encourage any of you who have never tried hanging in the dead of winter to come out and give it a whirl.

Alright. Sounds good to me!

And yes, the cars being close on night 1 will be a good thing for the new folks. I made it to 6AM last time and had to use the bail out option myself! I've got quality, tested equipment this time that will get me to 0 with relative ease. However, I doubt the temps will be as low as last time.

Hopefully, we will have some new hammockers join us this year. I'm pumped and looking forward to it!

[Kutter]

My gear is rated only to 25F, but with the weather we have been having so far, it might work. I got plenty of base layers to help out if needed. Count me in. Twentybelow, your posting of your Ozark Trail trip last spring is the catylist that got me into this mess. LOL All I have done in the past is kayak camping. Since I retired, I have been treadmilling nearly every day trying to prepare for the OT this spring.

[Sh4ggy]

Based on the comments so far, it sounds to me like the date is pretty much set.

Last year most of the participants showed up at the Hwy A trailhead parking lot on Friday afternoon and camped that first night around a pre-existing fire ring located a stone's throw from the lot. This provided an easy bail-out option for anyone whose equipment wasn't quite up to the brutal -2F low temp we encountered that night. Hopefully this knowledge will encourage any of you who have never tried hanging in the dead of winter to come out and give it a whirl.

How far down the trail do you go for night 2? I love camping, but have only backpacked a couple miles in once and my Winter gear takes up more space than my summer stuff did. I don't know that I'm in shape to go too far. It's a long drive to stay one night for me.

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[twentybelow]

Sh4ggy, it is roughly 4.5 miles from the trailhead to the top of Bell Mtn. Since you will literally have all day to hike that distance, just go as slow as you need to and it should be no problem. You can consult the map HERE for more detailed info.

Kutter, the -2F temp on last year's trip was extreme. I believe it was the coldest night of the entire winter (in the Ozarks)! Odds are good it will be warmer this year. I look forward to chatting about your upcoming OT hike!

[Gideon]

I’ll plan on making these dates unless the new job demands otherwise; I’ll also plan on coming that Friday evening to hang at the trailhead! It’ll be god to see all of you again!


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[Billy Goat]

Depending on weather, Shutterbug and I are in. Dog may be with, unless there are objections... he has gotten some new winter gear, and calmed down a little.

Cheers,
The Goat

[Wetfoot310]

Sweet. Can't wait to meet everybody in person... I will not forget the bacon.

[Gideon]

Depending on weather, Shutterbug and I are in. Dog may be with, unless there are objections... he has gotten some new winter gear, and calmed down a little.

Cheers,
The Goat

Dogs are always welcome in my book; of course we’d need to vote on cats!




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[Gideon]

Sweet. Can't wait to meet everybody in person... I will not forget the bacon.

It’ll be good to meet you Wetfoot!


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[Dublinlin]

One dog and I are going to try to make this one.