First time using the Ultrathon so there's really no verdict but we'll find out this summer.
I hear that the bears go after rafters and kayakers like those grizzlies catching salmon on Kodiak.
Five Basic Principles of Going Lighter (not me... the great Cam Honan of OZ)
“If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.” ~ Gen. George S Patton
I love Rocks!!! Hehehehee.. nice overnighter!!
Anyone around this Thursday or Friday for an overnighter in Harriman? I did a really nice section of the AT and White Bar last weekend with a stunning camp on top of a local mountain with a killer sunset (to rival bald rocks). It’s about an 8.5MO loop from Elk Pen.
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Medical professional, semi-professional Scouter, aspiring layabout.
"If it's stupid, and it works - it's not stupid."
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Trip report turned superthread.
Five Basic Principles of Going Lighter (not me... the great Cam Honan of OZ)
“If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.” ~ Gen. George S Patton
After many weekends of soccer-parent duty, this weekend was the first without some sort of driving/spectating obligation. I realized I'd been reading too many trip reports but not taking any trips. So Saturday afternoon, I jammed some gear in the pack and drove to Harriman for a quick overnight. The goal was a short out and back to be home in time for brunch.
Weather looked okay, mid 80's with 40% chance of rain, which turned into a 100% chance as I was about to prepare dinner. It was humid. I had my sights set on a campsite that cmoulder told me about but, alas, 4 other hammock campers where there already. What was notable was that they had a fold out oven, had made a spit out of branches and were about to roast a whole chicken. I stopped to chat, commenting that I was impressed that someone hauled a whole chicken up to Stockbridge; then I noticed they had a full sized axe, too, so I guess the chicken didn't weigh much more.
On my way to my second choice campsite, I passed a guy practically jogging the LP. We chatted. He had put 35 miles in having started at 0430 in the morning. Looking at his pack I couldn't help but wonder what he was not carrying that I should be not carrying; it was basically a day pack.
My pack came in just a tad over 14 lbs (not counting 2.5 liters of water) including a winter UQ (still waiting on my summer UQ, I'm a full season behind in quilts), an insulating layer I didn't need, a book, and the Helinox chair. I think the chair isn't worth the weight or bulk penalty. It doesn't do well with loose soil: I tipped over 3 out of 4 attempts at sitting in it. I could only get it to stay put if I leaned it against a log.
(Yes, I know some people put tennis balls on the feet of the chair. But if I do that, then I'll want to bring the racket too
Just as I got the cook kit out, it started to rain and it kept up for 4 hours. My first time cooking under the tarp and I didn't set it ablaze. More importantly, nothing got wet, which tells me I'm getting better at pitching the tarp and organizing my stuff under it. Given the temp, I tried to slide by without the UQ, but I was cold within 30 minutes and had to wrestle it into position inside my fronkey net. After that, I was toasty. Overnight Low = 59 degrees. First trip with the net and a SLD Treerunner: both are quality pieces of kit.
Glorious light this morning after the rain....
I left the parking lot at 4:15 pm and was back at the car by 9:15 am. Home in time for brunch. Happy fathers day.
Awesome pictures!!! Man that is nice! Glad you had a good night out too!
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