Camping: Ultralight or Bust

So I thought I would take a moment and discuss what came to me as a revolution. I had been searching for some time for a ultralight solution to hauling around a cumbersome tent while hiking. I had considered a slew of designs and had almost narrowed my choice to a bivy, a one man ultralight tent resembling a cocoon or coffin. I had ready many reviews and was not satisfied with the results I was discovering. My patient and wise (skills I dare not possess) friend Brian then recommended a hammock.

On first thought of this notion, I assumed he had lost his mind. He assured me of the contrary, and pointed me to a company called Hennessy Hammocks. Their hammocks, upon closer inspection, looked absolutely killer and the best part was the idea of a comfortable night sleep without hauling a mattress into the woods. It took some time and about 9 hours of watching various setup videos on the company website and YouTube, but I finally pulled the trigger and ordered their Expedition ASYM a couple of weeks later.

Once my hammock arrived, I could hardly wait to get outside and set it up. I had studied the setup instructions before it arrived, so I felt like I was up for the challenge. I quickly began to discover the advantages this hammock offers in speed of setup and take down, along with it's entry system and simple rain fly adjustment. It wasn't long before I was satisfied with my setup and put it to the test with a quick nap.

Hennessy creates an amazing product, and if you are a lone camper, then there is no better product for quick and easy setup, comfort, and meaningful rest. Check them out at http://www.hennessyhammock.com

Kayak: Blackwater Paddling Trip

As the day was growing short, we dropped off our return vehicle at Paragon and loaded into my truck headed toward Blackwater boat ramp. There we would put in and start what was to be a overnight paddling trip. This section of the Licking river was quite calm and interesting offering subtle differences from the Tailwater section we recently completed. Most of this section of river is riddled with stumps and branches reaching out of the water creating an amazing haven for all sorts of waterfowl.

Our trip began at 5:00 p.m. as we started paddling for Bangor boat ramp. The route meanders through countless twists and curves of river trail riddled with stumps and branches reaching out of the water creating an amazing haven for all sorts of waterfowl. Along many of these passages were enormous section of rock that had been mined out of this area countless years ago creating plentiful options for camping or just taking a break. The trail totaled 9.4 miles in length, but as we approached our break point, we were presented with a major dilemma.

It was 8:55 p.m. as were stepped out of our boats to stretch our legs at Bangor boat ramp. My GPS informed me that the sunset was scheduled for 9:10 p.m., and from the looks of things it would be right. Should we go ahead and make camp, or continue the push for the last 3.5 miles to Paragon knowing that we will be paddling in unforgiving darkness. Onward it was.

Our final stretch was without a doubt one of the most peaceful experiences I have ever had. I had to stop and put my paddle down for several minutes as I stretched back and gazed upward toward the heavens. The view of the heavens from this location and time of day was more than I can describe. What we thought would be a troublesome mistake, turned out to be the best decision we have made.

We paddled into Paragon at 10:00 p.m. completing our 13 mile trip in 5 hours. Quickly ditching our boats, we drove to get my truck and returned to the campsite. After setting up our Hennessy Hammocks, we enjoyed a victory drink of ice-cold Gatorade before retiring for the evening. While this trip may not be for every paddler, it was a wonderful and breathtaking trip not to be forgotten.

Location: Licking River
Lat/Lon: N37 58.479 W83 23.726
Trail: Blackwater - Bangor - Paragon