OMG! The thunder and lightening are directly over our heads! I feel so very vulnerable, yet in awe. This ultra-light tent feels ultra-flimsy! Of course it would storm on our very first night backpacking. Yikes! We still have no cell service. Just think...no one we love has a clue where we are. I have two thoughts running simultaneously through my mind:
I just wanted to give a HUGE shout-out of appreciation to those of you who gave of your time, and shared your knowledge & experience. This trip was so much better because of it.
kudos for getting out there, bjaye! can I offer some constructive criticism?
--if you keep your tent body and fly taut it'll be much more waterproof --you gotta always tell someone where you're going
Thank you for your CC! That's how I learn. I agree with the taut - I think we were too close together (and he snores! ugh. Ha!) The 2nd night we spaced out (no rain) - win-win!
We did tell our friends and family exactly where we were going, but high creek waters forced a slight detour. We ended up bush-whacking up the side of the "mountain" because the trail was under water, and too late to head back.
Glad to hear you had a good time despite the weather. Bushwacking on you very first trip? Not something for the timid or normally the beginning backpacker. Good job!
Your first few trips will be teaching experiences on what to do and not do next time and/or take.
By communion with God in nature, the mind is uplifted, and the heart finds rest. -- E. White
We did tell our friends and family exactly where we were going, but high creek waters forced a slight detour. We ended up bush-whacking up the side of the "mountain" because the trail was under water, and too late to head back.
It happens! And kudos to you for putting up a trip report so fast--some of us are many trips behind (I intend to ignore that and post about the weekend).
www.Rebecca-Douglass.com A Is For Alpine: An Alphabet Book for Little Hikers, and other non-hiking-related books.
I saw one hammocker on the trail (same night as the thunderstorm) and I must say...I can now see the benefit of hammocking. I will start doing my research. Christmas is coming
You'll be cooler/colder in a hammock since there's no ground insulation. Look into a double layer hammock that you can slide a thin foam pad between in cool weather (<70F). Something like this. And a full underquilt for real cold.
It's not an adventure until something goes wrong. - Yvon Chouinard