[rgardner]

Just got back from a wknd overnight at Crowder's Mtn (didn't have to be overnight, just wanted to escape for the wknd.) I had a good trip even though it rained all day sunday while we hiked up and ate lunch.

(picture from highest point looking south/southwest)

We had a nice fire saturday night but I ran into some problems... I recently started using a small hatchet for fireplace work around the house and decided to take it with me to test out. Turns out hatchets are HORRIBLE for splitting wood, it was some of the hardest splitting I've ever done. Looks like I am going to start looking for a new large, survival knife... probably 10-12" blade, close .25" thick, less than $150 preferred... to replace my hatchet for wood processing. I've taken a look at a few and I am leaning toward the Buck Hoodlum if I can get my hands on one. Any suggestions are appreciated!

I am trying to cut some weight off my gear as well.. I am not sure how many of you guys do any section/thru-hiking but I am trying to go lighter, especially after realizing how out of shape I am hauling my 30+lb pack up crowder's steep trail. My tent is a Alps Mountaineering Comet 2.0 that is about 4.5lbs that I am trying to cut some weight out of (along with my pack which is about 5lbs.. going with the Ospery Hornet 46.) I have done some research of the TarpTents but I wanted to see if anyone has had some first hand experience with them before I jumped on the gear?

All in all it was an awesome way to get outta town for a night and I would suggest that anyone considering taking a hike up leaves the pack full of extra gear at home! haha. The view is definitely worth the work though.

 

[CodyG19]

If youre wanting to go light as possible, check out Enos hammocks. Me and my dad used to hike the clingmans dome/nantahala section of the app and used hammocks up there a few times. It really cuts down on weight and storage space. Nice pack too. I love my osprey. I have the atmos50.

Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk

 

[chiefjason]

Cutting pack weight is a bit unnerving at first. But when I started I pulled out the metal stays in the back, cut any unnecessary straps, took off any patches, and took out the sleeping bag divider. For sleeping I have used tarps, hammocks and tarps, and a Black Diamond Megamid floorless tent. I hate standard tents. Hot, stuffy, and heavy. And ditch the hatchet and big knife if you're looking to save weight. I rarely even do a fire when backpacking.

Put all your stuff from the trip in a pile. Put the stuff you used in one pile. The stuff you did not in another. See if you really need the stuff you did not use. Find things that can have multiple uses.

Clothes are a big one too. Getting the right kind of clothes helps. And just accepting that you don't need new clothes every day. After a few days, you stink, fresh clothes or not. I did a 28 day backpacking course in college. I took a "bath" on day 6. The bugs were so bad because of the soap I did not do anything but spot wash the rest of the trip.

That first pic is great, BTW.

 

[georgel]

All these years I've climbed at Crowder and I didn't know they had overnight camping.
It's funny you mention weight and thru-hiking. I saw a story about the AT and they talked about a store a couple of day out from the southern terminus in GA. Their most popular service was as a post office when thru hikers would pull out their excess gear and ship it home. And then there's that story I'm trying to find again about the woman who thru-hikes the AT with a shopping bag and tennis shoes.
I don't think you need that big a knife. Consider something like a Cold Steel SRK, one of the RAT knives by Ontario or something similar with a stout blade that you can baton wood with. But, you'll find your most utility with something even smaller like a Fallkniven F1 which is issued to Swedish Air Force pilots as a survival knife.

ETA: Here she is...

Gatewood, who died in 1973 at 86, gained national attention when she hiked the entire Appalachian Trail solo in 1955, at the age of 68, in tennis shoes.

Gatewood traveled light. She took an Army blanket, a raincoat, a plastic shower curtain for shelter, a cup, a first-aid kit and one change of clothes, all of which she carried over a shoulder in a homemade bag.

Her diet consisted of dried beef, cheese and nuts, with wild food she found along the way. She rarely cooked along the trail and carried less than 20 pounds in her bag.

She carried no map, no compass, no guidebook, no tent, no sleeping bag and no backpack.

Read more: http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/10054/1034600-37.stm#ixzz1pjkudvuH

And you guys think you're hard dudes.

 

[rgardner]

Clothes are a big one too. Getting the right kind of clothes helps. And just accepting that you don't need new clothes every day. After a few days, you stink, fresh clothes or not. I did a 28 day backpacking course in college. I took a "bath" on day 6. The bugs were so bad because of the soap I did not do anything but spot wash the rest of the trip.

As far as clothes go I don't carry any extras EXCEPT socks and underwear and for instance, if I am on a 3 day trip I would only take 1 extra pair to give the others a chance to dry out from sweat, stomping in creeks, or what-have-you.

And ditch the hatchet and big knife if you're looking to save weight. I rarely even do a fire when backpacking.

I don't think you need that big a knife. Consider something like a Cold Steel SRK, one of the RAT knives by Ontario or something similar with a stout blade that you can baton wood with.

The knife/hachet deal is something I have a hard time figuring out because although I use my stove to cook most of my food (80%) I am so used to having a fire at camp (even during the summer) that I am not really sure if I have ever camped without a fire lol. The knife, I feel, would be a little lighter than my 2lb hatchet... and be able to baton like your talking about so that I can at least process the wood into smaller bits to start a fire (state parks provide it as split logs but its hard to start a fire with that haha.) That was just the only knife that I've seen in my own personal research that I felt was "stout" enough to take a beating... but I haven't been researching long.

Put all your stuff from the trip in a pile. Put the stuff you used in one pile. The stuff you did not in another. See if you really need the stuff you did not use. Find things that can have multiple uses.

I do this on a regular basis...

If youre wanting to go light as possible, check out Enos hammocks.

I had a hammock, pretty crappy Grand Trunk, and I enjoyed the times I spent in it but I never really had the chance to throughly test it out. when you take a hammock, what do you take as protection from the rain? I kinda feel like the weight of the hammock AND a tarp system is just as heavy as a tent and instead of it holding 2 people, it only holds one. I just don't have enough experience with hammocks so any info you can give me would be a great help.

 

[chiefjason]

Sounds like I'm preaching to the choir here, good.

As for the hammock, I can't say it's lighter overall with a rain tarp, suspension, and if it's cold a sleeping pad. But I have found mine very comfortable to sleep in. If you really want to go light though get a 10x10 or 10x12 tarp. It holds 2 people plus gear. You can cook under it, or pitch it on trail if it rains. You'll need some small pieces of plastic to put under your sleeping pads, tent stake, and para chord to round it out. I sent several years sleeping under just a tarp. Loved it!

The Black Diamond megamid is a good cross between a tent and tarp. More coverage in case of weather. A bit heavier though. And it can be tough to pitch with one person.

This looks like my tarp, but mine is 10x12.

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___22220

Here's the newer version of the mega mid.

http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/mountain/shelters/mega-light-tent/

Here's my tarp/hammock set up. If I were backpacking I would ditch the poles. If you are interested in hammocks, and reasonably handy with a sewing maching (or know somebody that is) you can make a hammock really cheap. When it's warm you can ditch the sleeping pad. Heck, I rarely even use the sleeping bag either.

 

[CodyG19]

Eno makes a tarp system thats 22oz.

 

[CodyG19]

But of course you would need some paracord too.

 

[chiefjason]

Just weighed my homemade one. Hammock, suspension (30' of 1" tubular webbing, metal D rings, and 10' webbing structural ridgeline), and my cheap nylon holster is 40 oz. I could cut weight on the webbing and D rings if I wanted too. But this is cheaper and easier to get than the lighter stuff. I have an eno, and though nice, that weight is just the hammock body and some small loops on the end. And depending on your size you will need more than paracord to suspend it. I've tried cord, I end up on the ground in about 10 minutes.

If anyone wants an eno double nest we might be able to work out a deal. I used it less than 6 times in the back yard and maybe twice on dayhikes.

 

[CodyG19]

Have you tried their slap strap system?

 

[chiefjason]

Have you tried their slap strap system?

No, found too many bad reviews. And my all-webbing system is infinitely more adjustable really. I hitch the webbing to the tree, then run the webbing through my D rings. Once it's airborne I can slide the hammock back and forth to find the spot I want then tie a slippery half hitch to hold it. Plus the webbing is more useful in a pinch. Once you know how things work, it's not too hard to replicate it cheaper. And I'm pretty good with knots. Before this I was using a carabiner and a specialty knot for tying off. The D rings just make things so much easier.

What are you using?

 

[Braveheart]

I have an esee junglas and 6 (knives) if you want to check them out pm me. I work in north west Charlotte.

 

[rgardner]

Just weighed my homemade one. Hammock, suspension (30' of 1" tubular webbing, metal D rings, and 10' webbing structural ridgeline), and my cheap nylon holster is 40 oz.

I don't doubt that hammocks are more comfortable than even ground pads and tents... but when you say 40oz I tend to consider the fact that I can purchase a tarptent (all be it slightly more expensive @ $250) that holds 2 people at 34oz. Now... you are correct in considering the reduction in weight from ground pad but I will ALWAYS carry a sleeping bag (uncomfortable feeling out in the open.) And that system's weight doesn't include a tarp setup to prevent getting soaked, considering Eno's 22oz system that whole system would weigh in at 62oz or about 3lbs 8oz. Even if I carried a sleeping pad the tarp tent and pad would weight in at about 50 oz (24oz Thermarest Pro-Lite Plus R) or 2lbs 14oz. Aprox 12ozs lighter.

That 12oz may not seem like much but thats just shy of a lb... even if you cut the webbing done to 3/4" and 25ft with alumin D rings I am not sure that it would be lighter but quite possibly right at the same.

I have an esee junglas and 6 (knives) if you want to check them out pm me. I work in north west Charlotte.

I may have to shout at you sometime because I live about a mile from Northlake.

 

[chiefjason]

Yeah, I don't think the weight is the big selling point on hammocks. Unless you want to go all out with sil nylon, descender rings, and amsteel blue line for suspensions.

Also, just googled the tarp tent. If you are talking about the company tarp tent, those things are small.

If you are talking about the tarp style tents; it's the mega mid, just another company. I stayed in one by another company for 28 days. Liked it so much I bought the megamid. That megamid is fantastic! I can't count the nights I have spent in it. Weathered pouring rain, wind, and watched water flow through under my ground cloth. You may get a bit damp if you're near the edge from blown rain or splash. I'm tall so occasionally my feet would sneak out. Pitching you tent on a slope never helps either. Generally I could get my wife and I plus all our gear, and a few times our dog, in there. You can pitch it off the ground for ventilation in the summer or down on the ground if it's cold. They also take some practice if you want to put it up solo, with help it's a breeze. You might want to look into it. You'll cut weight from what you have. Maybe not as much as the ultra small tents. But sacrificing a little weight for a lot of room is not so bad. Price seems to be about the same though. FWIW, at 6'1" tall I could nearly stand up to change clothes in my mega mid. I could sit in a camp chair and cook if it was raining. I still use it occasionally, I'm just currently on the hammock kick.

Here's the 2 person lighter version, the beta light.

http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/mountain/shelters/beta-light-tent

 

[rgardner]

Also, just googled the tarp tent. If you are talking about the company tarp tent, those things are small.
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I was talking about the company TarpTent.

I took a look at the BlackDiamond gear and I have looked at their stuff before in stores while shopping for UL gear. Seems to be good quality stuff... I just can't force myself to shell out $350-$500 for a 2 person tent.

Although TarpTent is on the smaller side those size tents are what I carry now for 2 ppl (around 32sq/ft), the cost is much more realistic at less than $300 and the quality (as far as I can tell is great) I was just hoping someone here had used any of the models and could give me some first hand info on them before I order one...

 

[Tank]

I am a big Hammock camper. I use the eno system. its a great setup. super comfortable, you dont need level ground. and never worry about water running through your tent... I can cook my meals while still in my hammock. i have been on many trips where my buddies had thieir tents full of water because they couldnt find a good spot, I love that i can setup my hammock anywhere i want. I get to really go off trail in he pisgah national forrest. where firewood is plenty. and noone else even knows where we are at. A few of my friends and I have even developed a system at a few of our regular campsites, where we set the hammocks in a circle and put the fire in the middle.. if we all keep a stack of wood by our hammocks we can keep a fire going all night without having to get out of our hammocks. we just swing out and grab a peice of wood and toss it on..

i am not sure i will ever Tent camp again..

 

[Fortkevin2]

I am a big Hammock camper. I use the eno system. its a great setup. super comfortable, you dont need level ground. and never worry about water running through your tent... I can cook my meals while still in my hammock. i have been on many trips where my buddies had thieir tents full of water because they couldnt find a good spot, I love that i can setup my hammock anywhere i want. I get to really go off trail in he pisgah national forrest. where firewood is plenty. and noone else even knows where we are at. A few of my friends and I have even developed a system at a few of our regular campsites, where we set the hammocks in a circle and put the fire in the middle.. if we all keep a stack of wood by our hammocks we can keep a fire going all night without having to get out of our hammocks. we just swing out and grab a peice of wood and toss it on..

i am not sure i will ever Tent camp again..

Sounds awesome. Any pictures of your setup?

 

[rgardner]

Tank,
Sounds like a lot of fun. I am still debating on the hammock thing, but the more I think about it the more likely I am to drop a little cash for an ENO single... And perhaps a tarp system later (go with a cheap one from Lowe's for now.) Any pics from anyone who hammock camps or has UL gear would be great!

Looks like priority #1 is the Hornet 46 then it'll be time to experiment with shelters to see what I can do... My goal is to be as close as possible to 20lbs. While still carrying 100oz of water and a knife of some sort...

The pack, water, hammock (w/o tarp), and sleeping bag weight in at 10lbs. So I figure that gives me 10lbs for food, stove, extra clothes, knife, and a tarp system.

 

[rgardner]

Picked up the pack a couple days ago... GOT A STEAL! almost $100 off original.

This thing made a HUGE difference. I lost 2.5lbs just changing the bag over. I also did some work on my med kit and cut it down GREATLY without reducing the capability of treating the most common backcountry injuries (cuts, sprains, etc.)

I did some more research and ENO gear is superb, the Pro-Nest (12oz) is about $75, the slap straps (8oz) are about $25, and the Pro-Fly w/ "ropes" (24oz) is about $70.... combines around 2.5lbs (lose of 3lbs over my tent/ground pad/etc) and $180 WELL worth the comfort.... and since I don't do a whole lot of winter camping I figure it will do well.

I am still looking into some other savings but so far I think I've found the biggest issues and I am looking at right around a 20lb load for a simple overnight/2-night trip.

 

[chiefjason]

20 lbs overnight would be great. Particularly without really getting into specialty gear or making your own. My wife and I had a 3 day trip packed into daypacks at one point. That was a feat.

At one point I had considered figuring out how to keep from cooking on trail. I also did one trip cooking over a small fire. That was kind of cool. Messy but cool.

Also, depending on how cool you sleep. I have seen where folks used poncho liners in place of sleeping bags when it's warm. IIRC you can even wrap them around the outside of the hammock. Check out hammock forums for some ideas there. My experience in the summer is with a shirt, my pants legs zipped onto my shorts, and hiking socks I really don't need much else to sleep warm. I would not go without something, but you might be able to lighten up there too. Just keep in mind that you loose heat through convection from the air space surrounding you when you look into that.

Also with the pack. With loads that light you can remove any metal stays in the pack. Even with heavier loads I don't put the stays in.

http://www.hammockforums.net/