So in with all my daydreaming about epic travels, I've been wanting to do something outside NOW. Until recently, the only sleeping bag I had was my 8 year old 40-degree bag. I had it with me for the whole A.T. and it's not very warm anymore. Not even 40, which isn't warm to begin with. So, I bought myself a winter bag. Got a really good deal I couldn't pass up. I imagine it'll probably last forever too. It's more of an investment than a toy. Justification aside, it's a North Face synthetic -20 degree bag. Yep, minus twenty. Tried it out indoors to see how I fit (bit snug of course, even though it's a long bag), and couldn't bear to be in it for a minute before getting too hot. Anywho, decided I'd try it out in the woods behind my house before I did any sort of real camping with it. However, had a bit of a quandry. My tent (which I absolutely love) is not free-standing, so it doesn't really work in the snow (not without a lot of work and/or special tent stakes anyway). So where to sleep? Well, I've got a tarp (from the A.T.), but that would only cover the top of me. What would keep me off the ground? Ah ha, that hammock of mine! Seemed like a pretty good combo...
I've tried sleeping in the hammock before, and I just couldn't really get comfortable. That was this summer on Spectacle Island. Granted, there was someone else in a hammock right next to me that I kept bumping into, and it was slung too low, so I was practically folded in half. But, I wanted to give it another try since it would keep me off the ground. Besides, a hammock + tarp would be a pretty sweet lightweight winter combo.
But enough babbling. To shorten the story, the sleeping bag was warm enough, but the hammock just didn't seem to be the solution. For one, had the same sagging problems even though it was set up really taught. Two, didn't pitch the tarp quite right, so my feet weren't covered (hence the garbage bag). Three, rocking back and forth in the wind isn't all the lullabies make it out to be. Rocking back and forth on a boat is alright, but this was quicker than that. Just kind of weird. Fourth, being elevated off the ground, the cold can get at you from all sides. So I think I was a bit chillier than I would have been in a tent. Anywho, slept through most of the night, but woke up before dawn just not feeling comfortable. It wasn't really very cold (20 or so), but my body was just telling me to get up. So I did. Guess I'll have to find a different solution to winter camping. At least I've got a sleeping bag that's up to the job now though...
Into the woods.
Freezing rain which later turned into snow. Reflective tent lines are sweet.
So close, yet so far away.
I feel like I'm preparing myself for some sort of expedition. Maybe I am. Who knows. I certainly would like to go off on an adventure. Just need to decide where, when, and how. The why doesn't need to be answered. "Because it's there." By the way, R.I.P. Sir Edmund Hillary.
Off to Rochester tomorrow. I'll be there for at least 4 weeks in a row (coming home weekends, a 7 hour drive, ugh). At least I got a decent rental car this time. Minivan last time, brand new Nissan Maxima this time. Oh yeah! Should fly on the highway.
2 comments:
You wimp
I spent last nit outside myself in -10F Just dug a pit in the snow, lined it with tree bark and some thorn bushes- they provide insulating air spaces, then come cardboard from cheerio's boxes, and then laid down, buck ass naked and slept like a baby. Back is a little stiff, but then I am getting old. Woke up mixed some snow and dried grass for tea and hiked 21 miles to conconully, stubbed my toe on some ice, no big deal, just bit off the toe-it did bleed much, due to the temp actually had enough bleeding to make sort of a snow cone.
In situations like this, shrinkage is the only thing you really have to worry about
Don't need no stinkin artificial fiber, yuppie bag. Gotta be tough out here in the Okanogan
The old man
All this living in the balmy Maine and Vermont weather has turned me into a pansy I guess.
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