GLP camping/hiking/canoe-kayaking/survival thread!

What a beautiful place. The topo map looks like you had plenty of places to get your heart pumping real good. LOL. Glad you had a good time and didn't get eaten by a bear!

awesome thread

Lol Thanks!! Sorry the response is sooo late, I don't know how I missed it!

It was a lot of fun, I am definitely doing it again this summer, probably more than once.

So a fellow GLPer who is also an avid hiker was telling me about hoe he through hiked the AT a few years back using a Hennessy hammock. I have been looking into them and they seem amazing! I am definitely buying one, probably this weekend, and was wondering if anyone had any advice about them?

So no one on here camps/hikes with hammocks? I have it narrowed down to two...

[link to hennessyhammock.com]

[link to www.amazon.com]

So, planning at least one multi-day hiking trip for over spring break.. Just bought one of those Hennessy Hammocks, a couple new sleeping bags, new cooking supplies, have dried more fruit and jerky than I could eat in a year over the last week... Yup, I am ready for some nice weather, or bad for that matter. I will not even be picky after this winter. I definitely just spent wayyy too much money on hiking and camping supplies though.

LOL. I was adding up the weight as you listed your items. The bright side is, one of these doomy, gloomy days, when it all hits the fan, everyone is going to wish they had supplies like that. It's something that will last and always come in handy. Good for you. Great fun!

Here is the "stove" I bought.
[link to cgi.ebay.com]

Also, a new crank powered flashlight that doubles as a head lamp.
[link to www.ebay.com]

A set of military sleeping bags. Everything from warm weather/summer, to -50 f when put together.

And of course, this beast : ) Which I am really excited for...

[link to hennessyhammock.com]


I also got a bunch of dried mre's and knives, etc.

Also got a new dehydrator, and over the last few days have dehydrated several types of apples, bananas, peaches, strawberries, huckleberries, blackberries, raspberries, oranges, clementines, and of course some venison jerky...

I'm ready to go, lol.

You got some awesome gear. The stove is a great price compared to what that type usually sells for.

The hammock looks like you get a lot for the 3 lbs. Or am I the only one who figures an items weight and make sure it earns it's worth? LOL. Watch out so the bears don't creep up on you and start rocking you. 8)

Good for you for the dehydrator too. If you cook meals and have any leftovers, it's great to toss them in the dehydrator. Then when you go camping you just add water and some instant potato flakes, and have a thick hearty soup.

Let us know how you like your new stuff once you've tried it, k?

Where and what so you paddle?

I am a playboater and solid class 4 creeker. Some of my paddling pals here in N. Louisiana are taking a trip out east this weekend. They plan on paddling the Tellico. Unfortunately I can't get away for a few months (unless Arkansas creeks go sooner...day trips). Really looking forward to getting on the Cheoah this summer.

Thanks for the responses, I will definitely keep you posted on how I like everything.

Yeah, I tend to like stoves that can be powered with coals from a campfire or wood, etc and it seems to be very well designed and cheap for what it is. I am pleased with it thus far, but won't get a chance to use it for a couple of weeks. Plus I could always put a small container of fuel in it to use to boil water or cook if I need to as well.

And yes, the hammock looks AMAZING! I got the big one for a couple reasons, 1 it has the best reviews for comfort especially for injuries, and I have a few herniated discs in my cervical spine, I am probably going to have some surgeries that I have been prolonging a few years this spring. 2, I am a spooner, and figured for that much money I am only going to buy one, at least for now, and for an extra pound, it is definitely worth having the option of a gf staying with me as well.

And I have been doing all sorts of experimenting with the dehydrator, when I finally have my fav recipes, I'll post them as well. So far the honey bananas, granny smith cinnamon apples, and a fruit roll up type thing I made with some frozen huckleberries, raspberries, and blackberries I had still from last summer are in the lead. The Oranges and clementines were quite good as well. I'm working on the jerky now.

The potato and soup idea is a good one, thanks. I'll def be doing some of that.

Oh yikes, you want to be careful in with your spine in a hammock. Especially if you're out there alone with no one to go for help. If you ever do that alone, make sure your phone is charged and will get out. Lots of good hiking/camping places don't have good, if any, cell reception. Safety first. 8)

Once that jerky is done, we won't be seeing you for a while. You'll be too busy chowing down. That's some mighty awesome stuff!!

There's an energy bar you can make in your dehydrator too. It can be done in the oven but I like it in a dehydrator better. It has oats, nuts honey, a pack of lemon jello, powdered milk...I think. Seems it's called for raisins, but I used dried cherries. It's been a while. If you don't have the recipe I'll try to track it down if you're interested. It's decent. High in energy, calories and filling.

Oh, nice, I'll def look into the recipe.

And don't worry, I have had the neck injury for almost a decade, I'll be ok. I appreciate your concern though. Lots of the reviews however have shown that the Hennessy Hammocks provide a better nights sleep and help relieve chronic neck and back pain more than temperpedics and other mattresses created for people with spinal injuries. This is one of the reasons I am so excited, lol. It will def be better than sleeping on the ground, haha.

Interesting about the hammock. I hope it's true. Might be good to try it out at home for a couple nights just to make sure. You gonna be havin' a good ol time soon! 8)

Yeah, I am def going to. Some people have actually set them up in their houses as their permanent bed, according to some of the reviews I read. That is how comfortable they are. If that is even 1/4 true, it will be more than worth the money!

I should get it next Monday or Tuesday, so I'll have a few days to set it up before I need to use it for the first time the following week : )

I just checked on the jerky and it is lookin' good!


This is the recipe I used.

[link to allrecipes.com]



I use allrecipes quite a bit, I even have the iphone ap. There are some amazing recipes on there, and the reviews are very helpful.

Lol, I love that fish in your AV.

Thanks :)

I got this crank flashlight instead of the other one because it has a usb outlet phone charger!!

[link to cgi.ebay.com]

All of the new gear I got is AMAZING!!!

So if anyone needs someone to bug out with or do some camping/hiking, let me know!!

I'm a kayak camper. I love kayaking.

I did 21.7 miles last Tuesday and 10.2 on Thursday.

I intend on upping the ante and going for around 30 miles once the weather is right and the wind dies down.

Last week I was in a Hobie Adventure, but years prior it was all done with either a Wilderness Tarpon 160i or a Native Magic 14.5.

I use a homemade hammock to sleep in when staying overnight. The hammock is awesome as I love in Louisiana and it keeps me dry and clear of the reptiles.

Once I got I a kayak I knew I had found my lifelong hobby and method of relaxing.

I also hunt and fish out of them and it is VERY fun.

Nice... I am planning on adding a white water either canoe or kayak to my collection this spring.

Thanks for sharing, sounds like a blast!

...and you are right on about the hammock.

I doubt I'll ever break out the tent again unless my wife and I go car camping or something similar.

I have even slept in the swamp between 2 cypress trees where there was no dry land to be found.

Yeah, I just set my new hammock up for the first time over the weekend, and it is amazing. I also doubt I will ever sleep in a tent again, unless hiking Everest or something.

Hennessy may be a bit pricey, but def worth it. The comfort, features, set up time/snake skins, etc all make them worth it.
And of course I got the only 2 person one in case I get a gf to come with, lol.
[link to hennessyhammock.com]

Our local canoe/kayak club's little playboating comp

[link to www.youtube.com]

Lol, looks like shit got kind of wild in the tent!!

The kayaking looked fun as hell though!

with a great wave or hole park and play can be fun as hell. this one is a blast>

oh def, good times..

I have a canoe/kayaking class this semester just as a free elective.