another overnighter: friday the 13th and hammock zen.

JV3 · May 15, 2016

having spent several weekends in a row with friends i badly needed some solitude...and what better time to go to the woods than friday the 13th with rain too! just before taking off i had a friend ask me about birch bark so i harvested some to send over.

i first saw this downed tree maybe 5 years ago and the bark is far from rotting.

there's so much oil in the bark that it felt like stiff leather despite the interior being well rotted already.

picked this off the ground and gave it a good shake and the interior spilled out like soil...the bark itself was still super pliable.

what can i say, i like to stay super hydrated

JV3 · May 15, 2016

i decided to do a silky saw fine vs. medium teeth comparison since i haven't seen anyone do it yet...not sure if this log is maple or beech but it's well seasoned...in short, i prefer the medium teeth for all-around hardwood use (we mostly have oak, maple, beech, some hickory and cedar here). if i was cutting bamboo though i prefer the fine teeth.

the rain started just as i finished my fire prep.

the only cutting tools i used for this trip since i already had a good stash of wood from previous trips.

poplar bark was damp and refused to light with a firesteel no matter how fine it got from rolling between my hands. this is why rain or shine i almost never use natural tinder, preferring instead to make feathersticks fine enough to light with just a firesteel - i get enough practice so i know i can do it when i really need to!

after i threatened to use my featherstick instead the poplar bark finally gave in and lit.

thanks to reuben and that survival russia dude for showing me the siberian firelay.

the gates of hell!

JV3 · May 15, 2016

bushcraft tv.

i love the sound of rain hitting the tarp.

3rd straight overnighter with rain...i was happy as a clam!

the drip line (orange cord) working well...there's also a dutch 'biner next to it.

mother nature has her own tricks up her sleeve for not getting wet.

JV3 · May 15, 2016

brought my machete just in case jason decided to show up

so far it's been 3 out of 3 no shows.

this little guy did harass me for a piece of kielbasa.

you know this pic was coming!

JV3 · May 15, 2016

i'm a recent hammock convert and shug's videos of breakfast in the hammock were the ones that pushed me over the edge...wooo buddy! thanks shug for all your videos.

i literally spent the next day just doing...nothing.

hammock zen achieved!

got up long enough to cook lunch...then back on the hammock.

amazing what a little peace and quiet will bring to camp...turkeys and even heard a hawk fly below the tree branches and close enough for me to hear the wings flap...even saw quite a few chipmunks chasing each other and ran underneath my hammock completely oblivious to my existence

bearthedog · May 15, 2016

You need to start taking a servant with you, so you don't have to do anything!

Looks comfy man.

-RB

supertac916 · May 15, 2016

Looks like a nice and relaxing place.

rje58 · May 15, 2016

Thanks for sharing your trip! Nice photos! I can't wait for work and family to cut me some slack so I can get back out in the woods!

JV3 · May 15, 2016

bearthedog said:
You need to start taking a servant with you, so you don't have to do anything!

Looks comfy man.

-RB

hmm, i'm going to start my own hiking club and let them do the work

supertac916 said:
Looks like a nice and relaxing place.

indeed, all the green and sun was a welcome sight after another brutal winter we've had.

rje58 said:
Thanks for sharing your trip! Nice photos! I can't wait for work and family to cut me some slack so I can get back out in the woods!

you're welcome! tell your family you're working overtime and call in sick...problem solved...worst case scenario stage a mistaken identity kidnapping

Woods Walker · May 15, 2016

I love hammock camping but what's up with that pillow. I like to use my clothing in a stuff sack but then again there are those hot summer months when there are less garments in my pack.

Mistwalker · May 15, 2016

Awesome post Jay! Man, I haven't had the time to get out for anything but work lately, I'm glad you and RB are giving me such awesome breaks from that monotony!

DOC-CANADA · May 15, 2016

Great thread, JV3 - I like that you appreciate comfort as much as I.

Doc

JV3 · May 15, 2016

Woods Walker said:
I love hammock camping but what's up with that pillow. I like to use my clothing in a stuff sack but then again there are those hot summer months when there are less garments in my pack.

it's an exped air pillow - 3 oz. ultralighters everywhere just had a heartattack just about now

there's a lighter one, 1.6 oz, but it's $49.

mistwalker said:
Awesome post Jay! Man, I haven't had the time to get out for anything but work lately, I'm glad you and RB are giving me such awesome breaks from that monotony!

thanks, brian! we just had another brutal winter (super cold but pretty much no snow which is the worst kind) so it's nice to finally see some color again and hear wildlife.

DOC-CANADA said:
Great thread, JV3 - I like that you appreciate comfort as much as I.

Doc

thanks, doc! i'm becoming an expert at smoothing it

tknife · May 16, 2016

Nice camp! Sleeping on the hard ground was fine in my youth, now, comfort all the way. You're doing it right!

22-rimfire · May 16, 2016

I need to give hammocks a try. Your camp looks very comfortable even in the rain. Pictures were great. You document well for show and tell. You think that was the same deer as Bearthedog took a picture of? No way to know. You both tramp the same woods.

mete · May 16, 2016

The big hole is made by the Pileated Woodpecker .He's at least crow size ,shy though rather vocal. Big enough so he can dig into or near the tree's center for the insects.Early this year I was lucky to see one close ,6'away, as I drove down my driveway. He didn't seem to be afraid of the truck.

22-rimfire · May 16, 2016

They are certainly big peckers.

panzertroop · May 16, 2016

Oh man nice camp out!!

TheMadIndian · May 16, 2016

No orange knife???

I was with you in spirit in the rain up in NH

Great post Jay

JV3 · May 16, 2016

tknife said:
Nice camp! Sleeping on the hard ground was fine in my youth, now, comfort all the way. You're doing it right!

thanks! yup, i feel more refreshed and well rested now with the hammock.

22-rimfire said:
I need to give hammocks a try. Your camp looks very comfortable even in the rain. Pictures were great. You document well for show and tell. You think that was the same deer as Bearthedog took a picture of? No way to know. You both tramp the same woods.

thanks! definitely give hammocks a try...at the very least if you don't find it comfortable to sleep in then it can serve as a lounger/chair on day hikes especially when the ground is muddy. let me know if you have any questions. i've dialed mine in and i didn't use any special hardware or gadgets (except for the 'biners which serve as a water break) for the suspension to keep it minimal...the dutchware hammock i have is considered one of the best too in hammockforums but it's still low cost at $40'sh.

most likely not the same deer that bearthedog saw since this was a good 30 miles away from his main camp.

mete said:
The big hole is made by the Pileated Woodpecker .He's at least crow size ,shy though rather vocal. Big enough so he can dig into or near the tree's center for the insects.Early this year I was lucky to see one close ,6'away, as I drove down my driveway. He didn't seem to be afraid of the truck.

thanks! was wondering about that since there were several new holes.

22-rimfire said:
They are certainly big peckers.

ha!

panzertroop said:
Oh man nice camp out!!

thanks, man!

TheMadIndian said:
No orange knife???

I was with you in spirit in the rain up in NH

Great post Jay

thanks, keith! i need to get more orange knives in the rotation

how were the black files? i hear they're gnarly...although i think i'd rather have that than ticks though.