Kilted on the Loyalsock Trail

[biblemonkey]

This Memorial Day weekend I had my first kilted backpacking experience. It is definitely the way to go! Black Watch Sportkilt, in case you are wondering. We hiked for two days and camped out three nights spending most of our time camped out at a beautiful waterfall near the halfway point of the whole trail. At the final road crossing we met four guys in kilts who were hiking the other way all wearing a different tartan! I even got a, “lookin’ good, man!” from one of the younger guys. The one older fellow said he primarily goes to USA kilts for his hikers so I directed him here. Apparently they hike kilted so often that wherever they go they get called the “kilt Crew”.

We got torrential downpours the first and last nights, I have blisters all over my toes, and on the last day I got bitten by what seemed like every mosquito in the forest but it was, by far the best backpacking trip ever. Imagine two days just chilling out in a hammock listening to waterfalls and white water with some of your best friends. We even left a couple of six-packs at the drop car nearest the final site and hiked the beer in for the last 1.5 miles. Can’t wait to do it again!

Here’s the link to the photos - http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/m...monkey/albums/

[Tobus]

Dude... kilted backpacking AND hammock camping? A man after my own heart!

What hammock setup do you have? I couldn't tell much by your pics.

[CMcG]

Very cool pics and looks like you had a great time. I love my Sportkilt for that sort of activity... as long as the temperature is warm enough because it's so lightweight.

[Nighthawk]

Wow!! One of those cool tent hammocks! I love it!

[biblemonkey]

Dude... kilted backpacking AND hammock camping? A man after my own heart!

What hammock setup do you have? I couldn't tell much by your pics.

I have the Grand Trunk Skeeter Beater Ultralight and a Hammock Bliss Rain fly. I also manufactured (with help) my own insulation system for it so I stayed dry and toasty even when the rains wicked down the ropes into the hammock.

[Tobus]

Ah, looks like you need a simple drip control device on your hammock suspension. Ideally it should be placed near the end of the hammock (under the tarp line). Even a simple short length of shoelace tied around the suspension line will do it. That way, when the water runs down the suspension and wants to go into your hammock, it hits the shoelace (which is tied so that it hangs down several inches) and drips down there instead.

Making your own hammock gear is one of the great things about hammock camping. I just finished making my own hex tarp (with catenary cuts) for mine. Next I'm going to build my own DIY bug net system. Insulation, in the form of an underquilt system, will come much later since it's rarely needed this far south.

Joy to the kilted hammock campers!

[biblemonkey]

Ah, looks like you need a simple drip control device on your hammock suspension. Ideally it should be placed near the end of the hammock (under the tarp line). Even a simple short length of shoelace tied around the suspension line will do it. That way, when the water runs down the suspension and wants to go into your hammock, it hits the shoelace (which is tied so that it hangs down several inches) and drips down there instead.

Making your own hammock gear is one of the great things about hammock camping. I just finished making my own hex tarp (with catenary cuts) for mine. Next I'm going to build my own DIY bug net system. Insulation, in the form of an underquilt system, will come much later since it's rarely needed this far south.

Joy to the kilted hammock campers!

Nice! My insul system was a tri-sleeve system. On large central sleeve for my Thermarest Prolite self inflating mattress and a smaller sleeve on each side for a cut length of aluminum lined sleep mat. The sleeves were made of rip-stop nylon and the whole thing folded up and strapped to the bottom of my pack like a tent. I debated leaving it but I'm glad I didn't. Kept me dryer. Ill try the drip edge idea.

[Andy Ternay]

Dude I am so envious... Desperately needing an outing like that soon.

Thank you for sharing the pics!

[English Bloke]

Those are crackin' pictures Hugh. I rarely get time for bush bashing these days but I do enjoy a good wander when the opportunity arises.
Enjoyed those. Ta!

[biblemonkey]

Those are crackin' pictures Hugh. I rarely get time for bush bashing these days but I do enjoy a good wander when the opportunity arises.
Enjoyed those. Ta!

Hope you get your chance soon. I loved it!