APril Backpack - Reavis Ranch

[k9hiker]

I know the ranch is typically fun to visit in Fall but a group of us K9 Hiker people are going to go in spring because we want to get out, we haven't been there and there is water so it will make it easier to camp.

The plan is set for the last weekend of April, the 26th and 27th.

This is a pretty mellow backpack, total RT mileage is under 14 So if you want to join us please let me know at some point before April 24th.

Thanks
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Jamie
Canine Hiking Club of AZ
www.mydog8az.com

[jdahling]

I'll have to check my calendar... but this sounds fun. It's a hike that I have not yet tried, but would love to.

I'll let you know!
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Cheers,
Jeannine

"Life is an adventure ... Made for an adventurer ..."

[k9hiker]

Great Jeannine. You are more than welcome to join us. Right now our group is about 4 strong, all women but one. Although some of the dogs may be males, or is that the other way around....hey!!!
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Jamie
Canine Hiking Club of AZ
www.mydog8az.com

[Trishness]

I wish I could go on this but I'll be in San Diego until 04-27 on business.


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~~~Trish~~~

"Eastward the dawn rose, ridge behind ridge into the morning, and vanished out of eyesight into guess; it was no more than a glimmer blending with the hem of the sky, but it spoke to them, out of the memory and old tales, of the high and distant mountains." � J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of The Rings.

[Shawn]

[wanderingsoul]

I might be a maybe on this or not .... I still want to see Circle Stone (I think that is what it is called). I'll have to let you know as it gets closer
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Wanderingsoul (Michelle)

Positive Thinking Is the Spark that Makes Dreams Happen~~~Unknown

[jdahling]

I'm in!

(At least it's on my calendar. There have been some rumblings of work travel - but I'm hopeful and tricky enough to work around that!).
_________________
Cheers,
Jeannine

"Life is an adventure ... Made for an adventurer ..."

[MikeInFHAZ]

shoot, I was unable to attend this date, so is anyone able/willing to make a quick run up Reavis on the 4-5th of April?
I'll be trying out my new levitating tent:




that's a Claytor Mosquito hammock with the following mods:
replaced stock ropes with 1" polypro webbing
added loops to the webbing to support a Spectra structural ridgeline
changed out the stock string on the mesh for bungee loops and glove hooks
use the no-knot style buckles for support.
the underquilt you see is a JrB Hudson River.
I slept in this last night until 11 pm when I woke up sweating. Outside temp was 48°
It is impossible to lie in a hammock without falling to sleep. I cant believe more people arent using this type of shelter.
It. Is. Wonderful.
the tarp is not shown but relies on the ridgeline for added support.
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http://www.arizonahikers.com/board/albums/albwb18/BRIDGE.sized.jpg
bridge hammock, quilts and tarp (all DIY)

what i do

[oliverr99]

Cool. Looks like a caterpillar's cocoon!
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Anne
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" -- Dr. Seuss

[MikeInFHAZ]

its a cocoon alright.
doing some light math, I figured on the hammock being 1lb 14oz, the tarp/stakes/guylines are 8oz, the underquilt is 21oz, the top (sleeping)quilt is 13oz, and the stuff sack, neglible.

now, comparing that to the comfort of a normal ground sleeping system, its no dice. A Prolite 3 is 21oz, a 35 degree sleeping bag is 16oz (at best) and a tent is rarely less than 3 lbs. On top of that, I can sleep on my side, on my back or with a combination of both, hard to explain unless you lay in a hammock... Im very impressed with the versatility. All you need is two sturdy trees between 10-20' apart. I should have been doing this 5 years ago! I wanted to try it out in some nice weather, lows down to 35 or so, Reavis sounds good. Although Reavis might be even warmer than that.
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http://www.arizonahikers.com/board/albums/albwb18/BRIDGE.sized.jpg
bridge hammock, quilts and tarp (all DIY)

what i do

[Tommy]

That is a nice setup.
So are you giving up anything with a hammock? Do you feel constricted? Maybe not having quick access to your gear that you would normally spread around you on the ground? I guess the light weight and comfort would make up for a lot.

[threedogz]

So, when do you turn into a butterfly after sleeping in this?
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You can never eat too much candy...

[MikeInFHAZ]

I already am a butterfly, sweetheart.

tommy the only thing I give up you hit on the spot... there is a small mesh pocket inside for little things, but its definately not equipped to store boots or packs. You could hang small items from the ridgeline too and then reach out and around the mesh to retreive them, but I hike with so few items that mostly all I need inside is a headlamp. What you cannot tell from the (empty) pictures is that when you lay inside on a diagonal from the ridgeline, the hammock forms "pockets" for your head and feet and you will be mostly flat. Some hammocks allow you to lay on your stomach (longer ones, say 10') You dont even need a pillow! The only other consideration is finding 2 good trees, but Ive always found a way even out in the western Supes and such. This pic is my front yard, hanging from 2 palo verde trees. My old little recreational hammock is now retired to car camping- this was like trading up to a Cadillac. Oh, one more thing, you can hang just inches off the ground or several feet- whatever is comfortable.
_________________
http://www.arizonahikers.com/board/albums/albwb18/BRIDGE.sized.jpg
bridge hammock, quilts and tarp (all DIY)

what i do

[fairweather8588]

[MikeInFHAZ]

I just realized a group of 4-5 that I will be leading is going to pass thru Reavis on the Reavis Gap trail coming down from plow saddle. We might run into some of ya on Saturday. Read all about it over here
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http://www.arizonahikers.com/board/albums/albwb18/BRIDGE.sized.jpg
bridge hammock, quilts and tarp (all DIY)

what i do