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HawksEye
senior member (67)senior membersenior member
  
09/09/2010 10:15PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
New Trip Report posted by HawksEye

Trip Name: First BWCA trip- Ensign - Solo.

Entry Point: 25

Click Here to View Trip Report
 
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09/10/2010 07:22AM  
Nice report! It reminds me of my first solo camping trip hiking the Superior Trail just outside of Tettegouche State park. Every small noise right after dark seemed magnified. Every small snap (I was sure) was a bear, cougar, hyena, or alien waiting to eat me. Ahhh, good times. :P
Dennisal
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09/10/2010 09:36AM  
Really enjoyed your report. I hope to do my first solo next year (was planning on this year, but health did not allow that).

You gave me some insight on the noise situation during the night hours. Always a concern.

Thanks.
09/10/2010 08:38PM  
very nice report, funny how a little chipmunk can sound like a
huge beast when its dark
09/11/2010 09:04AM  
I really enjoyed this. It took me back to my first solo and the fear I felt after dark. It's universal I'm sure. The best "big animal in camp" for me was when one very early morning while solo a large moose walked right past my tent and into the lake before crossing to the other side. That was pretty magical.

I also have a Blackbird hammock and was wondering how you slept? What insulation did you use? I also sprung for Brandon's (Warbonnet) Superfly Tarp. Very expensive but worth it in the long run.

One thing I would never do though is sleep without a tarp over me. I think stringing it up and then peeling half of it away is what I would do. That way, if it started to rain you could get out and cover yourself in a hurry. Thanks for posting. Loved it.

BTW, no camera?

HawksEye
senior member (67)senior membersenior member
  
09/11/2010 09:24AM  
quote TomT: "a large moose walked right past my tent and into the lake before crossing to the other side. That was pretty magical.
"

That is neat!


quote TomT: "I also have a Blackbird hammock and was wondering how you slept? What insulation did you use?"

The first two nights were a bit hard on my back- i didn't follow the advice of hanging the feet end higher than the head. After I lowered the head end, it straightened my back significantly and the last nights were great! The $20 Tyvek tarp met my budget better than the $130 superfly.

I have a coleman (self-inflating + air) sleeping pad that I slipped between the double-layer bottom of the hammock. I had a -20degree bag, so didn't need any extra insulation on this trip. I have an ancient down bag I'm going to try to turn into an underquilt this weekend. Do you have an underquilt? What dimensions is it?
"

quote TomT: "... never... sleep without a tarp over me.... stringing it up and then peeling half of it away is what I would do....BTW, no camera?
"


that is a great idea about the tarp- 1/2 up. I watched the weather and was pretty sure there would be no rain. My camera sucks so I didn't even bother packing it. Oh well... maybe someday when I get a real job, i'll get a real camera.... but then, i might not have as much time to do all the fun things i've done the past 10 years...

thanks, all, for the nice comments. It is also reassuring to know i'm not the only scaredy-cat out there. :-)
09/11/2010 10:08AM  
quote HawksEye: I have an ancient down bag I'm going to try to turn into an underquilt this weekend. Do you have an underquilt? What dimensions is it?


I don't have an underquilt but I like your idea of using an old down bag which I DO have. I use a 1/4 inch extra wide closed cell foam pad I got from Gossamer Gear. If it's gonna be cold I use a 2" thermarest basecamp air pad. Someday I'll get the underquilt.

It took me a couple of nights to really find the sweet spot in the Blackbird too. But now I love it.

BTW, I bet you can get a basic point and shoot digi camera on ebay for way cheap. People are always upgrading to newer stuff and maybe you can find a deal on a used one. It's always nice to reminisce through old pics. I really regret not taking my camera on a week long solo in 1988.
09/11/2010 06:31PM  
Nice report. I love the thoughts you had at night. I feel the same way the first couple of nights out when I solo. Thanks for the report.
HawksEye
senior member (67)senior membersenior member
  
09/11/2010 08:15PM  
Thanks for the kind words. I'll head somewhere with less bear activity next trip, but I suspect I'll still have some of that night-time paranoia.
jackpine1
member (16)member
  
09/15/2010 09:09PM  
NOTE TO SELF: Black bears are not out to eat the campers. They are out to eat the camper's food.

I love this...always an important thing to remember.
09/15/2010 10:51PM  
quote jackpine1: "NOTE TO SELF: Black bears are not out to eat the campers. They are out to eat the camper's food.


I love this...always an important thing to remember."


You sure they're not out to eat your foot? haha
HawksEye
senior member (67)senior membersenior member
  
09/16/2010 09:14AM  
quote Amok: You sure they're not out to eat your foot? haha"

lol
I'm really glad I didn't know 'bout the bear w/ the foot fetish before I climbed into my hammock!
TuscaroraBorealis
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09/18/2010 11:15AM  
Very nice, descriptive report. Thanks for sharing your story.

Now that you've got that 1st trip out of the way, your comfort level should increase with each succeeding trip. Thus adding to your enjoyment.

TB
HawksEye
senior member (67)senior membersenior member
  
09/18/2010 02:56PM  
I sure hope so! I also hope my fishing skills improve- I missed the triple crown, all I got was one northern and one bass. I want a walleye next time.
 
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