096: The Last Trip of the Summer

Show Notes: Episode 096 Today on the First 40 Miles, our last family trip of the summer—and this trip did not disappoint!  We’ll share the top 5 things we loved about our trip to the Oregon coast.  Then on the SUMMIT Gear Review,  we’ll share a hammock that’s light enough to throw in your day pack—and may even fit in your back pocket!  Next, on the Backpack Hack of the Week, a simple hammock hack that will keep you cocooned and snug on your next hammock hang. Opening * Parameters of our last backpacking trip of the summer: * Simple to plan * Healthier food * Coast trip * Threemile Lake near the Oregon coast Top 5 Things We Loved About This Trip Hammocking with the whole family * Our first trip Hammock camping trip was back in June with Jonathan from the Hang Your Own Hang Podcast * This was our first family backpacking trip where everyone left the tents behind and everyone brought their own hammock Success with solar * Solar mystery charger…with no label * Our mystery charger has twice the output of previous solar panels we’ve used Fishing * We’ve been learning a lot about tenkara fly fishing (which uses a telescoping rod, a line and a fly), researching it for an upcoming trip * Even though we don’t have any tenkara rods, our 11 year old wanted to have a fishing experience, so we bought $4 worth of fishing stuff and tried “Hillbilly Tenkara” with a stick, some line, and a hook with a glitter worm. A 180 degree turn on Poptarts, Snickers and cheesy mac * We went stoveless, and tried to pick foods that were calorie dense and healthier * Breakfast: Overnight oats, dried peaches, * Lunch: WW tortillas + Justin’s Almond Butter packets and trail mix + tuna packet w/ mayo * Dinner: Bulgar + canned smoked sardines w/ oil + crumbled cheddar cheese * Snacks: Corn nuts + trail mix, dried bananas, sunflower seeds, energy bars, granola bars * Much of our snacks were eaten on the 3 hour drive to Threemile Lake—so by the end of the trip, we were ready to head out and fuel up. Beach access at ocean and a lake * Lots of sand, so we were barefoot most of the time. * At night fell asleep to the sound of the ocean * Cooler trip (because Oregon coast doesn’t get very warm), but the warm sand felt great! SUMMIT Gear Review: Hummingbird Hammock Single + Hammock Structure * Reserve parachute material * The Single+ hammock is built with longer camping trips and taller people in mind–more comfortable * 1500 lb Spectra Cord for the soft carabiners * Military Spec Bonded Nylon Thread * Does not come with tree straps–order those separately Utility * Holds 350 pounds * The soft carabiners (included) are far stronger per ounce than a traditional carabiner and are impossible to cross load. * Fabric is densely woven, but not completely waterproof Mass * Hummingbird Single + Weighs 7.6 oz (210 g) * Add 2.1 ounces for the ultralight tree straps * Dimension when packed (6 x 4 x 2 in) or (15 x 10 x 5 cm) * Unpacked the hammock is 120 inches by 64 inches * Weight rating: 350 lbs (158 kg) Maintenance * The fabric is not UV resistant—remember to pack up your hammock when not in use * Wash in cool water, or spot clean as needed * Dry completely before packing Investment * $80 for Hummingbird Single + * $30 for Ultralight Tree Straps Trial