New Trip Report posted by Bearpath9

Trip Name: The best laid plans.....

Entry Point: 26

Click Here to View Trip Report

Sounds like you had fun. You were flexible in your goals. I would not change your lean to tarp setup. You just had the wrong type of tarp for that setup. You need CCS tarp with lots of tie outs. With your tarp you can't get the middle popped up to give you more room. You would need a tie out on outside middle of tarp to throw up over tree or you need nesting pole inside tarp to pop it up (use tennis ball to attach to end of pole and then attach to inside middle of tarp). I would suggest looking at Cliff Jacobson's Forgotten Skills dvd. You can buy it or download it. I use his method and my tarp does not bob up and down even in 30+ mph winds. Using his method you would run lines to ground from the ridge line, and both sides of tarp (in middle) to keep it down when wind blows. I hope to do my first solo next year. Good trip report. It reminds us that we have to take what mother nature gives us and have flexible plans while doing our trip.

Sounds like a successful trip. You stayed safe and had a relaxing time. While I still wish I could do what I was able to 30 years ago, I am just happy I am still able to get out there and see new places. Keep up the training regimen and the gear tweaking. Happy trails!

Sounds like you had a good time and made good choices, no dehydration this year with all the rain ;-). I too am wrestling with the battle of the spirit and the flesh. Keep going as long as it feels right, stop and rest when you need it.

kjw: "Sounds like you had fun. You were flexible in your goals. I would not change your lean to tarp setup. You just had the wrong type of tarp for that setup. You need CCS tarp with lots of tie outs. With your tarp you can't get the middle popped up to give you more room. You would need a tie out on outside middle of tarp to throw up over tree or you need nesting pole inside tarp to pop it up (use tennis ball to attach to end of pole and then attach to inside middle of tarp). I would suggest looking at Cliff Jacobson's Forgotten Skills dvd. You can buy it or download it. I use his method and my tarp does not bob up and down even in 30+ mph winds. Using his method you would run lines to ground from the ridge line, and both sides of tarp (in middle) to keep it down when wind blows. I hope to do my first solo next year. Good trip report. It reminds us that we have to take what mother nature gives us and have flexible plans while doing our trip."

Thanks. I know I need a better tarp, it is the cost that holds me back. I may need to re-enter the workforce. I did debate bringing along some poles, but decided not to. My bad. I'm still looking around my house for a good practice area to improve my tarp skills. The best area so far is my front yard, with a big maple on a slight hill, and the post next to my porch, lower down. Yeah, I had to go along and plan around the rain. Not complaining, it did make things interesting. Good luck on your solo, it is different when you are the only one. But I do like it.

straighthairedcurly: "Sounds like a successful trip. You stayed safe and had a relaxing time. While I still wish I could do what I was able to 30 years ago, I am just happy I am still able to get out there and see new places. Keep up the training regimen and the gear tweaking. Happy trails!"

Yeah, getting old is a pain, but the alternative is worse. Already looking for replacement items, those will go on my x-mas list. The training part is something that I will do regardless, since the area I go to is close by, and I can get out into the woods with no people, since I tend to go early in the morning. Thanks.

Ioway: "Sounds like you had a good time and made good choices, no dehydration this year with all the rain ;-). I too am wrestling with the battle of the spirit and the flesh. Keep going as long as it feels right, stop and rest when you need it."

Thanks. I did have a good time, despite less than ideal conditions. Nope, no dehydration, I made sure of that. Had a water bottle down at the lake, and one up top. Got my Katydin working, and filled up a one gallon Sawyer bag while I was setting up the first day, along with 3 bottles. The advice about rest is something that I need to follow a little better, but all in all it was a good trip. I just need to get it through my head that I can't keep the mindset that I can do what I used to do easily.