And don't forget your bathing suits.

Preppersaurus

DELETED

Great overview and look forward to that hammock info!

Heya,

Screedcrete really downplays his preparedness. I have a totally different spin on the events. Here goes. We got to the meetup point (the road at the bridge where the waterfall is, on Sylvestre Rd) about 12 pm. It was hot, it was dusty, so we grabbed the gear, released the hounds (Screedcrete brought Cash, the Wonder Dawg, for security against bears and squirrels, what a great dog) and headed down the trail as soon as possible. Everyone pretty much had their gear, as is, like in a real bug out. Remember, this is all part of testing, adjusting, adding gear that is needed, taking out gear that isn't used. There were some variables that were unknown, so we remained fluid in the decision making. Where to setup, where to cook, how many people would be there, would there be enough room, does a bear @$#t in the woods etc etc. First discovery, yes, bears do @S#t in the woods. We found the evidence. We trucked on, down the trail until we found what looked like a split. Since time wasn't critical we picked one and regretted it. Then we picked another one and plan B worked for us. Always keep the waterfall to the left. (if you don't, you're lost). It took about 35 minutes of leisurely hiking downhill, to reach the beach. There were already people there, so we opted for a break, and then head around the lake to find a likely site to set up. We didn't have to go far.

The place we found was just off the trail, next to the lake, shady, enough room for a tent, and was well treed. This was key to one of our objectives: Test out the Exped Scout Hammock. I would be the test subject. Guinea Pig if you will. I'd never been in a hammock, EVER. I had no expectations except I didn't want to have it flip over, and deposit me on the rocks, sticks and logs. The set up took about 5 minutes. Part of that time was experimenting, learning the parts, and the set up procedures. I think, in a hurry, this could be set up in about 2 minutes. Maybe 1.54. I had doubts, but I liked the design. You sit low in the hammock. Enter from the side. There is a screen that covers the whole sleeping area, and there is a fly in case it rained. We put the fly up, but just flipped it to one side since rain wasn't in the forecast. One of the cool things I liked immediately was how you could use it as a chair, a lounger AND a bed. No need for hauling some flimsy ultra light chair into the bush too. This was definitely multi purpose. There is a pouch in the bottom of the hammock to put a mat. This is a must. 1) it spreads the hammock out and you get more space. 2) your mat helps insulate you from the cold.

Screedcrete brought his hammock. The standard design, with a fly and a bug net. The nylon rope used to hold it between the trees stretched enough to get butt to ground. We opted for a replacement, 550 paracord. Screed was a bit skeptical it would hold, but it did, and in fine fashion.

While lounging around we evaluated the equipment we had brought. Surprisingly, we found some equipment was duplicated and redundant. Other gear was not brought along at all. There was no sacrifices. There was enough gear brought to accommodate everyone. This was a great review and 'Lessons Learned'. Bottom line: Have Your Gear Ready To Go. It is also nice to have options. Even though we were only there overnight, it was nice to have a choice of food. We were packing Mountain House meals and had a nice variety.

Screed and I hoofed it back up the falls to get some 'optional' gear, and set up our balloon signal for the group, at the trailhead. We became the local experts for several other groups, from as far away as Oregon, who were asking directions. Advice always works best when we both point in the same direction. HAHA. Down the hill we went. Each trip, we took a different route to explore. This really wasn't rocket science, since up was the road, down was the lake. When we got to the site, we scrounged for firewood for the evening. Denise prepared a gourmet meal for us. Screed, passed on his can of tuna? smelts? ok ok I can't remember what he had, but I didn't want it. Twas tasty.

I got to light the fire and chose the sparker / vaseline and cotton technique. Got it on the first try. I find it is the easiest (next to a Bic Lighter) to light, since the vaseline and cotton fuel lasts a minute or two. The fire helped keep the skeeters at bay. We weren't overwelmed but they made their presence known. We kept the fire small since it has been dry in recent weeks.

Bedtime: Screed hopped into his hammock and I went to mine. In a nutshell. I LOVE HAMMOCKS. Can't see buying another tent in the near future. I got, what amounted to, the best night's sleep I've had in months. Woke up once for a tree visit, then back to bed. A hammock will rock you to sleep, and the net will keep the bugs off. I wasn't cold at all, even though I had an ultra lightweight sleeping bag (probably rated to 25C). It wasn't 'tippy' as I would have expected, and it was easy to lay on my back, and sides. If you ever get the opportunity, try one. Exped and Hennessey make some outstanding ones.

Next morning I found Screed didn't fair as well. Skeeters have that effect on you. Denise didn't have much more luck sleeping in the tent, with rocks and roots underneath. The tent has got to go. With a hammock you can swing leisurely over rocks, uneven ground, and even cactus (didn't see any here). After some coffee and gourmet Mountain House eggs (the hashbrowns SUCK) we played with gear. D and I practices with throwing knives. There is a knack to it. (don't let them bounce off the logs and stick you). For some reason, I kept sticking the wrong end into the log. Pointy end out. I did start to get the hang of it.

It didn't take a lot of time to break camp and we were off up the hill again. All in all it was a great experience. I have changed the way I will be packing. And a hammock is in the future for me. There was some redundant gear that wasn't used, but we did get to organize the packs, and tweak it for some finer adjustment.

I miss my hammock but after about ten years of use and stored in a carport the cotton gave out and I have not really prioritized to allocate spending on a new one anytime soon . Was the mosquito netting something that was made to go with the hammock or just a sheet of netting draped over paracord or what ? In the heat , nothing beats a hammock. It likely would not be so nice if it were freezing cold . Mosquitos may become a more serious threat carrying more disease further north if the climate warms more. Adequate sheets of netting and screens to keep them out is a smart idea .

Syn

The net is attached. This is the unit we used. http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_na.nsf

Hennessey's Supershelter system is four season http://hennessyhammock.com/catalog/insulation/ good for winter too.

As for mosquitoes, I doubt disease infection from mosquitoes in the far north, where people are more dispersed, will be more of a problem, than in a hot sewage filled urban area where people and diseases will be the most dense.

Thanks for the links . They gave me the idea to try sleeping on a windshield sun reflector or some of that quilted foil insulation to see how insulation it is and if it does radiate your body heat back to you . Also gave me thought that the versatility of your fly material to use over a hammock is a good idea to look at too.