Just had an opportunity to watch this video, Mark.....what an adventure you guys had and have to thank you guys for taking time to make this doc of your trip, inspite of constant weather and river fording setbacks. My goodness, what a beautiful trail. Scenery reminds me very much of the Jacks River, which flows through the Cohutta Wilderness area here in the North Ga. Mtns. I have always been a tent camper but thanks to you and Shug's videos, I have become an avid hammock camper. Love your laid back down home style of producing relevant videos we all can learn from and enjoy. This particular video helped me not only get my Spiguyver fix for the week but made me check out the Dream Hammock Sparrow, as well. LOL! Next video, please........

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

5 жыл бұрын

Mike Kovitch Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it, I think the three of us will always remember this trip!

Awesome informative video of your trip. Thanks for sharing!

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Smart move to avoid that risky crossing of the Little Missouri by following those other creeks and saddle to drop south to the Viles Branch trail. I was at Eagle Rock Loop this past weekend. Conditions were very different than what you guys experienced. Looks like a great trip.

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

7 ай бұрын

It made for a great adventure and a trip we'll all remember!

The swapping hammock thing is pretty cool man.. neat idea

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I had been thinking about it for a while, this was the first trip I've really had the opportunity to do it the way I wanted, and we all lay the same direction so it made it much easier.

We just did this trail and the water was worse....kind of crazy. Fun time.

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

Жыл бұрын

It can be tough when it's raining, that's for sure. We've done it where it's completely impassible and super dangerous, to where it's ankle deep!

Talk about embracing the suck! I do think this was a trip you won't soon forget though, thanks for taking us along!

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

Tony, thanks for coming along! You gotta make the best of the situation, complaining doesn't help!

Good job. Hope to hike this trail soon.

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

4 жыл бұрын

It's a great trail, has a little of everything!

THANKS FOR TAKING ME ALONG....Its the same over the pond here one dry day and real cold for this time of year peace ...love... and light

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

It was a difficult trip due to the weather, but it was one we'll remember for a long time! Thanks!

Not something I'd want to do, but it was fun watching you guys. Glad you made it ok.

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

I've kayaked this area most of my life and don't understand people camping right next to rivers, especially in wet conditions. This area took 22 lives at a camp ground a few years ago in a flash flood.

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah, you're right. Thanks for the somber reminder that the water can be very dangerous!

Holy water crossings! Finally got around to watching this. Well done sir, even with a unique situation. Cheers my friend!

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I kinda enjoy it when things don't go the way you plan them. I like getting the opportunity to read the maps and terrain and decide the best options. We made sure we set turn around times so that we didn't put ourselves in a worse situation.

Hey Mark, great video again! Usually my attention span is good for a 6-min video, 10 is a bit of a stretch, but I was able to finish this one (not without a few snacking interruptions). Well done! I don't have a DH Sparrow, but I have about 9 Darien hammocks, 2 Chameleons, and one WBBB original, which is the oldest of them all. The problem I have with the Blackbird has more to do with the warm environment where I live and play. There's not a lot of ventilation on that hammock, and the way the shelf is configured makes the "wall" of the hammock below it sag a bit and get in my face. All other hammocks I have have guy lines that pull the fabric away from me, but on the WBBB because the guy lines are connected to the shelf then that side of the hammock is usually too close to me and is suffocating. So I only use that hammock in colder temperatures where I don't mind extra fabric near me. Also I understand the XLC has more mesh surface area, so that should help the ventilation problem. I think the WBBB and now the XLC has a big following among tall hangers, because they can stretch their bodies flat with that foot box. Between the Darien and the Chameleon, I don't really have a preference comfort-wise. The Chameleon is on 1.0 Hexon and stretches a bit and takes some time getting used to, whereas the Dariens are on 1.6 HyperD, and don't stretch at all. But the flip side is that the Chameleon is an 11-footer and the Dariens are 10-footers. I would say the accessories on the Chameleon are nice-haves. I haven't gotten a sidecar, but now that you've mentioned how gargantuan it is, perhaps I'll wait until Dutch comes up with a shorter version. So far I use a peak loft, and have installed a DH ridgeline organizer on my Chameleon, and that really takes care of everything I need at night. Mmmm, I forgot what I was going to say about the rainy conditions... Anyway, it'll come to me. Great job! thanks for sharing!

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

Great input! I know I'm pushing it with these longer videos, but for those that can't sit through it, they can come back over a week or two and watch what they can to see it all. I tried to keep good info throughout to keep people engaged. So what's funny about the WBBB XLC is that BeeKeeper is the tallest of all of us, and he slept the worst of all of us in the XLC. It works okay for me, but it's not as intuitive and you have to work to find the comfy spot. I appreciate you putting the time into watching this one! Thanks!

Been waiting on this one! This looks like it will go down as a lifelong memorable trip!

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

I think you're right! I had a great time, and once we made a decision to head off trail, I was happy with our decision. We made a plan, set a turn around time if we hadn't made it where we thought we should by that time and went for it!

@MrPickl78

6 жыл бұрын

I applaud Beekeeper for taking the VFFs along. I've been on the fence with the idea of starting to hike in mine.

Great video brother! Those rainy trips are a pain in the ass, but they are a ton of fun. I've always said the most memorable trips you are ever going to have are the ones that suck. Love seeing all those hammocks as well. Great variety.

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Leo! It was a great trip, despite the weather and having to ford all those crossings in the cold. Funny that today it was 85 degrees and sunny out there! I have a lot of hammocks!

Fantastic video and one of our favorite back country trails!!! Thanks for sharing!!

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

5 жыл бұрын

Great place! Thanks!

Great trip and vid! Awesome you guys kept on and embraced the suck. Well done.

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

We tested the waterproofness of the maps! While the color didn't run, the paper didn't hold up super well. But they worked, and I'm glad we had them. Thank you for sending those our way! I still really enjoyed the trip!

The river was movin!!! Great vid, and what a great time for the water falls.

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

Yeah, the waterfalls were great! Not sure how many waterfalls we saw that most don't get to due to the rains.

Having tried 3 DHs (ThunderBird, Sparrow & Darien), a WBBB and WBBB XLC I have found my Sparrow and my Darien to be the most comfy. The peak net easily (for me) takes the place of the shelf on the WBBB. I LOVE the way the Wookie stays in place on the XLC. With the DHs I use shock cord with the HG UQs to keep them from shifting too much and it usually works well, but every now and then get drafts. As you said, all of this is subjective to personal taste -- but I really appreciate you putting all different perspectives in the video. More info usually is always better. This trip seemed like it had it's challenges for sure -- and you all made the best of it! Sometimes those are the best stories afterwards :-). Thanks for sharing!

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

For sure these trips create the best stories! I am going to have to try out one of the mesh peak nets, I think you're right, that might be the answer for storage! Thank you, great input!

I went down there from Ohio a couple years ago to run a race on the Athens-South Fork trail. It got down to 10°F! and the race got postponed. Those stream crossings would have been very cold.

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

4 жыл бұрын

10 degrees with that water would not be fun!

OHHH! I've been eyeing that hat on Amazon. Management says I don't need another but now that I can see what it actually looks like it. I'm getting it :) Great head to head with the hammocks man. Glad things dried out atleast some at the end.

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

DOOO IIITTT! That hat was made for you! Thanks man!

Awesome video. Those water crossing were crazy. I have a dream hammock “raven “ and a warbonit “blackbird “. I think my dream hammock way better than warbonit. Thanks for sharing and again awesome video. 😃👍

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Those water crossings were a little crazy!

Hi from Holland, thanks for sharing!

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking it out! How is the backpacking in Holland?

@floesh-408

6 жыл бұрын

It's a small flat country but some very beautiful parts, I've been backpacking last weekend for 2 nights and it was great.

Great great video!!! I have waited so long for this comparison by somebody. My WBBXLC just isn’t cutting it for me due to a calf ridge. I have debated for a year between the sparrow and chameleon. I hate you missed the stairway area because that blows the rest of the trail away. It’s one of the most beautiful parts I have seen on any trail. Thanks again!

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

We will be heading back. I hate that we had to miss any of it, but we had to do what was safe. Thanks for watching and I'm glad that you enjoyed the comparison!

@trentburns1753

6 жыл бұрын

I can’t believe y’all hiked those mountains in the rain from the VBT all the way to the little Missouri and then some. That’s pretty strong in my book. I left an awesome trucker hat when we decided to bushwhack to the top of Hurricane Knob and didn’t think about it till the bathrooms. After some cussing about losing my favorite hat I decided it deserved/wanted to be left. If you like that loop you should try the PinChiSky on the Pinhoti near Talladega. Equally as awesome 👍

Thanks for sharing, made my choice on the next hammock easier. Hopefully I like the Darien as much as I liked my BB XLC.

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

Glad I could be of assistance! Thanks for checking it out!

Looks like a beautiful trail I'm hoping our trip will be a little less eventful I'm glad your trip ended on a high note

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

I hope so too! Thanks!

The red buds are looking pretty!

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

Yes they are!

I did Eagle Rock Loop last year. That was my first backpacking experience.

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

It's amazing, I wish I could have seen the views on the first section we hiked!

@TheModernLonghunter

6 жыл бұрын

Spiguyver Backpacking We went at the beginning of May. I would like to go back during leaf off. Next time, I'm going to camp on top of Eagle Rock Vista.

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

We didn't even venture up there as the rain and clouds would have left us the same view we had from the trail!

I don’t know about the toughest. The OHT is pretty tough especially miles 1 to 85. But the west side of ERL is no joke. Great hike!

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

I will be making some trips to hit up the OHT and OT in the future. Thanks!

30:16 nature calls!

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

It's as real as it gets!

Glad it wasn't an epic trip, to be epic someone needs to die. Well in climbing jargon. Thanks.

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

Yeah I don't want anyone dying on a trip I'm on!

I remembered what I was meaning to say/ask about the rain. I noticed Beekeeper hangs his tarp first, but doesn't stake it out. With the tarp still draping loose he hangs the hammock inside of it. I assume he does this to get both tarp and hammock centered between the two trees before he secures all the guy lines. I also assume that in cold weather you want to keep the hammock suspension as close as possible to the tarp's suspension to reduce the air gaps when you close the doors. Is this the correct assumption? Thanks again Mark!

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

So I'm not sure why BeeKeeper does it that way, I'll have to ask him. For me, I hang the tarp, get it centered between the trees, then stake it out. That way I have a nice dry area underneath to work, get stuff out of my pack and not worry about any rain getting into it. Yes, you do want the hammock suspension right at the upper limit, meaning pretty much entering the tarp against the suspension/tarp to get those doors sealed up as much as possible. Thanks!

For the love of all that is holy... stop calling the sun by name, it is shy, and will run and hide every time. That is BOB (big orange ball).

Ok, so now the next question, since the Sparrow seems most comfy. Which is better between the Sparrow and the Sheltowee?

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

John Phillips So I asked BeeKeeper that question off camera, since he’s had that one and has slept in it more than I have, and his response was the Sparrow. So much so that he is in the process of researching and purchasing a Sparrow.

Just curious, what time of year did you guys film this? I dont recall hearing you mention it throughout the video.

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

5 жыл бұрын

Beginning of April 2018. Thanks!

@SC2NC2AR2TX

5 жыл бұрын

@@SpiguyverBackpacking1 thank you and perfect. I am scheduled to be there the end of this coming March and I was hoping it was comparable. Well done video by the way.

1. How much wider, in inches, was the Sparrow, the ridgeline length, and what fabric was it? 2. Who makes your red rain jacket? 3. Who makes Beekeeper's hat?

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

Okay, let's see if I can answer all of these! 1) My Sparrow is 62" wide, I believe the Chameleon is 58". Both are in 1.6, the Sparrow is HyperD, the Chameleon is Hexon. 2) My rain jacket is the Anti-Gravity Gear Silnylon rain jacket. 3) i believe BeeKeeper's hat is by kavu, but I will check on that for you!

@ccladiesman

6 жыл бұрын

Spiguyver Backpacking I'm surprised you went with 1.6 for both. You were all about the 1.0 fabric awhile back.

@dsvgopro

6 жыл бұрын

The hat is a Kabu Chillba. Zpacks also makes a version that lays flat, but requires a ball cap.

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

Sweet, thanks, I couldn't recall the exact name. I was close though!

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

And as a side note, BeeKeeper loved it!

I watched the whole video. Just curious what you say the largest river crossing was? The one in the SE corner?

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

Жыл бұрын

If you're going clockwise the one just prior to Indian Staircase area is the biggest. It's the one that turned us around and had us go off trail at about 31:48 of this video.

@williamgibbs71

Жыл бұрын

@Spiguyver Backpacking ok thankyou.

I know it was wet, raining, damp, but you can always find sorta dry wood, wet fire to lite? why no fire to dry things out and get warm(er)??

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

We were plenty warm once we got set up and into our hammocks. Really I don't do fires most of the time I head out, and while it would have been nice to have that warmth and an ability to dry things out, the way the rain was coming down I'm not sure anything was going to dry!

What packs are you guys using and what are your total weights? I had a successful night out last Friday evening even trough a thunderstorm, however my gear near killed me due to weight.

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

I was using an Appalachian Ultralight Reach-around pack. Kris was using a ULA Ohm 2.0 XPac. BeeKeeper was using a Zpacks Arc-Blast (whichever the Dyneema one is). We were all sub 20 lbs with food and water, but pretty close to the 20 lb range. Thanks!

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

I will be doing a Gear Load-out video for this trip soon.

@johnbutler2231

6 жыл бұрын

thanks, already shopping packs and weighing gear. Looking to build a new larger tarp for my hammock after the thunderstorm.

@SpiguyverBackpacking1

6 жыл бұрын

Did you end up getting wet? If you know the wind direction of the storm, that is helpful, as you can set up with the wind blowing into the side of the tarp, rather than through the tarp!

@johnbutler2231

6 жыл бұрын

I did not get wet, the storm was traveling to the southeast of us. My tarp was blowing into me, I reached out and held it for the longest time, possibly why I staied dry.