Pillow advice: if the pillow keeps shooting out from under your head, take some peel and stick velcro strips and put about 3" on the back of the pillow and 3" on the top of the air mattress. It'll stay. I put a strip on the left and a strip on the right so it won't pivot either. Bonus tip: put the softer, loop side on the air matress and it won't rub you if you don't use a pillow. Put the hook side on the pillow.
Has anyone ever complimented you on your voice? It is unique, very understandable, laced with character and absolutely perfect for the videos you produce. Great job.
I wouldn't call that a fail. I'd call it "knowing the limitations of the product for the trail" which is an honest critique and information that people can use. Best wishes to y'all for the coming year and to you too, Aaron.
I made a Frostline poncho tent a long time ago. Also used contractors plastic for a tarp. And then cuben fiber tarps. So many ticks, spiders, scorpions, mosquitos, and one night in Colorado a mouse trail across my face all night. A bivy helped some, but then I got condensation on top of my bag especially at the toe box, less so above the knees since it was a quilt. I gave up on tarps when the snow blew in on an elk hunt in September in MT. Wind changed and couldn't keep the snow out. So next weekend I took the ZPacks Solplex which I knew had hundreds of holes in the floor, and did not tuck in the polycryo ground sheet and woke up during a pounding night rain to my air mattress floating down at the feet. So as Rosanne Rosannadanna (SNL) says, "Well, Jane, it just goes to show ya. It's always something. If it's not one thang it's another."
To me, a no bugs at night, better rain protection and a better windbreak is worth its weight in gold. Your test gear seemed close to cowboy camping. I never knew anybody could have so much practical advice about pillows... Keep them coming :)
Would reccommend practicing sleeping on your back--something that is hard to get use to but pays in the long run..Knots--search on U-tube--all sorts of quicktie and quick release--handy to know................
@@johnnyhays2942 How on earth does it pay? It can create or exacerbate circulation problems, back problems, and other joint problems. That's not what I would call a payout, and I see no benefit whatsoever, other than you can maybe save 3-6 oz of sleeping pad weight. I'll carry the extra weight and keep my circulation, back and joints in proper working order thanks.
@@johnnyhays2942 I'd argue the opposite, side sleeping has often been shown to be better for your brain and has even been associated with less chance of dementia / Alzheimer's.
I’ve also settled on the Klymit pillow. That indentation in the center is what makes it work for my as I’m a side sleeper so my ear rests comfortably there. Also helps keep it from sliding away.
According to the survivor, who walked from the crash site the next morning, the pilot-in-command was his father, occupying the left seat, the right seat occupant was his older brother, and he was in the back seat with two hunting dogs and an assortment of shotguns as they were returning home from a bird hunting trip near Storm Lake, Iowa. They had departed Storm Lake that morning between 9 and 10 o'clock. He stated that the pilot was maintaining a slow descent to continue visual reference with the ground because visibility was deteriorating in mist and light rain. He stated that he had just scanned the instruments from the back seat and their heading was 130 degrees and the altimeter read 2,500 feet. He further stated he felt uncomfortable at that altitude and location. They were experiencing no troubles with the engine, airplane controls, or navigation systems. The survivor stated that they encountered constant drizzle starting near Columbia, Tennessee, and he remembered barely making out lights on the ground at Piedmont from his back seat position. He stated that the sun was just setting, and that they simply flew into the mountain top. Their destination was Carrollton, Georgia, about 31 miles from the accident site.
I use a spare shirt over my sleeping pad and stick my Klymit X pillow inside to keep it from sliding around and it’s softer on my face if I side sleep.
Hello Miss Kentucky, I don’t get to comment like I want because I watch on my TV ,so no way to comment. Love your Channel,everybody loves your channel!! I live in western NC ,so I have the AT in my back yard. My dad started me at 12 years old! Loved it every since. Keep doing what you do,your great at it! Enjoy life and hopefully our paths will cross one day it will be great to meet you.
I'd recommend looking at the Corporal's Corner channel and searching out his "Quick Deploy Ridge Line" video. It is a quick simple way of setting up a ridge line for tarp shelters. I also recommend getting a piece of cordage about 3 feet long and, while you are sitting around camp or wherever, practice tying and untying a bowline, a clove hitch, a timber hitch, an alpine butterfly loop, and setting up a truckers hitch, and a prusik loop, until you can do them in the dark with your eyes closed. Teach your fingers to do them without your eyes and brain, so that when it's cold, wet, dark, and you are exhausted, they are automatic. I learned them when I was guiding rivers, but still use them all the time. A hank of cordage weighs very little, and knowledge even less. Together a rope and a few proper knots are endlessly useful, even lifesaving, tools to have.
I keep telling myself I need to learn about six good knots. I have loads of time, some of it could be sp;ent on learning a little trick that could help in a situation like you describe above. Just a little investment in time and maybe fun.
I agree. Knowing a really good tension knot, a few good hitches, a couple of good bends, and at least one rock solid stopper knot will go a LONG way, and will make a hank of line one of the most useful things you can possibly carry on the trail.
@@wisenber It's still a useful thing to know. There are a ton of ways to rig up something like a tarp or poncho, depending on location. Also, she is going to be trying out a hammock set up and it may come in handy.
Love to see that I'm not the only one that has a whole conversation with myself about why it could be nice to stay in that warm sleeping bag and not ever getting out of it unless it gets 70 degrees.
Me too. I told the spiders to 'leave her alone' and moved my hand to fling it away with a shudder. Dixie teaches from the elbow, sharing mistakes with grace and good humor. When she's tired you realize how grueling hiking is. Streams are cold. Stoves don't want to work. You don't know what's ahead but you're happy to come along. Some folks like to be too perfect on camera. Gear and miles of scenery covered like vacation photos. I'm glad Dixie packs us for the 'hike with a friend'.
Love the "ominous Vivaldi" music at the start! Makes it sound like winter is blowing in and will get you. And it was. And it did. Brave of you, Dixie, to try out the tarp and bivy sack set up in the cold. I could not do that and was not surprised, cold-sensitive that you are, that you postponed a more complete test for warmer weather. Hike on! Tortoise
Reasons to have poncho/tarp: 1. When you must have ultralight weight 2. When it's hot at night 3. You want super simple Reasons to have a tent: 1. Keep bugs out 2. Keep snakes out 3. Stay warm 4. Stay drier 5. Keep critters out of your stuff 6. More privacy 7. You expect wind Where I hike, bugs and warmth are the biggest issues. I really dislike things crawling all over me while I sleep, or having mosquitoes bite my face while sleeping. We also have a lot of problems with rodents getting into everything and lots of rain so overall I don't think I could ever get into the tarp system unless desperate.
I love to imagine walking in the pouring rain, soaked to my skin. Setting up a tarp in howling wind, rain and snow thick and fast. I get to my sleeping g bag and it’s wet... then I roll over and burrow deeper into my bedclothes
It made me happy to hear you mention the Florida Trail in your video! Being from Florida I feel like Florida hiking does not get enough love and I'm glad it's going to be getting more exposure.
The catenary cut of the MLD Pro silnylon tarp works best in the A-frame mode, which is pretty good for marginal weather, but limits move-around space pretty severely. I have a flat poncho tarp from 2004, I think, which is more versatile, but still very small. I use my hammock 98% of the time and my Hilleberg Akto when I expect heavy snow, iow, weekend higher altitude winter trips. I have a Gossamer Gear Spinn Twinn tarp if I really feel like sleeping on the ground and crawling in the mud. It made a nice hammock tarp for my 9 foot hammock, but I just traded up to the big Hammock Gear DCF winter tarp. Occasionally I take out my poncho tarp and mess with it to try to make it work better for long trips, but it's just too small.
I haven't tried cowboy/bivy camping yet but I've been interested in giving it a go. I've been considering this bivy paired with a Gatewood Cape, which looks to provide a bit of extra wind protection over the MLD tarp/poncho at the cost of versatility. The idea is to have a backup plan for if I don't have trees for my hammock and tarp. Using the cape to replace my raingear only adds the 7.5oz of the bivy and an 8oz small insulated sleeping pad to my kit, unlocking being able to sleep at sites without perfect trees. About a pound extra added to my normal kit weight to have access to cowboy/bivy camping, tarp camping, single-wall tent camping, as well as hammock camping. It's overkill, sure, but I'll be able to pick whatever site I prefer plus I'll have options and redundancy for if something goes wrong on the trail. Scouts drilled that 'Be Prepared' thing in hard. XD
For a pillow I use my cleanest T shirt stuffed with some of my other cleanest clothes. No extra weight and I can control size and firmness. Excellent video Dixie. Thanks
I believe its the southern end of Page Pond, under Wocket Ledge on the AT in NH, that was originally a beaver dam that silted in. So, if the trail still crossed right at the waters edge (I remember walking on a lot of soggy Labrador tea), then you walked on a beaver dam. There is a 2nd as the trail descends to the road that runs along one of the Moxie Ponds, but I'm pretty sure that the trail was relocated before you went through. Poncho, tarp, hang glider.
I prefer a tarp/bivy combo for most of my trips unless I know a ton of rain is possible. I really like the ease of setup with a dedicated ridgeline and I can sleep on top of the bivy if bugs aren't an issue. That said, now that I'm back in SC I'm going to try a hammock setup and see how that works out. There are some amazingly light hammocks available on the market right now and I already have tarps to use. I'll just need to have Cedar Ridge build me a bottom quilt and I should be good to give it a try.
I could not see myself using that system. Hikers should thank you for all that you do in showing and experiencing items that are good,better, and best. Now I know why water on the trail needs to be filtered......Dixie walked thru it barefoot !😂
A quick tip I got from another AT hiker is to put your buff on your inflatable pillow like a pillowcase. This helps minimize slipping at night and also keeps things more sanitary because you can easily wash your buff. Also Dixie, you've had that grease pot for a while; would you ever consider testing a different cook system? Would be interested to see if you find the adonized aluminum pots with the heat transferred on the bottom to be worhwhile.
I got all hungry at the start. Thought I was about to see Chef’s Table. I don’t think I would like night hiking. I like to see and would feel like I was in a tunnel. It is super cool to see the familiar sights of the Pinhoti in your videos.
I love watching your hiking videos, and I'm really excited that you're coming to hike the FT! Florida doesn't have the sweeping vistas you get on other trails, but the FT has its beauty and challenges. And that's why I do not recommend using a tarp on the FT unless you have spent a decent amount of time in inland South Florida. Nothing is dependable about our weather or wildlife except their unpredictability. Just expect dampness, mud, and bugs and plan accordingly.
I have all three of the large brand pillows you tried. I agree, the Klymit X is the most secure. It creates a really nice pocket for your head, gives some neck support, and doesn't tend to wander as much. It works well in a hammock and on the ground.
Great video, Dixie! Engaging, aesthetic & well-edited. Thanks for sharing another adventure w. us. :-) And re: the tarp, I agree w. others saying it's not a fail to have judgement about the best tool for a situation. The people who designed that poncho tarp probs didn't intend for it to be a cold-wind shelter. Happy New Year from Aus!
Love my Alsek also, but purchased a Wide version, with 2 oz of overstuff. The wide really helps in keeping those draft out. About to switch to the Nemo, Tensor Alpine pad. Hoping that will sure up my sleep system. Still haven't made the switch to a pillow...
a poncho is great for day hikes or emergencies if you need a quick shelter. it's great in the summer if you just want to keep a light rain off, it's great for keeping your gear dry but for anything else it is too small and too cold.
I like using a poncho tarp with an emergency tarp underneath to help reflect back body heat in the winter. I’ve used that in Maine when it’s gotten down to 9 degrees and some snow on the ground. Though I can understand the appeal of having a tent in the winter. Tarps in the summer are much easier to carry.
I feel like the poncho tarp would be ideal for someone already interested in tarp camping, and on a trip where you do not expect inclement weather. Or potentially to lighten a day pack to include a rain layer & a shelter in case of emergencies. I just keep trying to envision having to take it off to set up the tarp in the rain and... that probably takes more gumption than I have. On an entirely different note, I highly appreciate the pillow reviews because I am a side sleeper and my arm + jacket aren’t usually enough to avoid a serious crick in my neck by the morning. I wonder if sticking them inside the hood of a mummy bag would help keep them from running off in the night?
It seems that using your raingear as your shelter would be too limiting in rainy weather. If you get to camp and have to remove the poncho to set up as shelter, you're exposed to the elements while setting up and while doing any camp chores like getting water, cooking( if you don't want to cook where you sleep), etc.
I think the concept is to sleep sitting while wearing the poncho. At least that was how I did it in Vietnam. You don't need to carry the sleeping bag and pads when you do it that way. The idea of putting it up as a shelter defeats the point of wearing the poncho, like you mentioned.
@@USMC6976 Sleep sitting? While wearing the poncho? I can’t think of anything more uncomfortable when hiking. My back would be stuffed the next day 😊 Tarp-poncho is great for light rain situations. If it’s raining when you get to camp then you simply set-up for sleep once you’ve finished chores & eating etc.. Easy.
I really like having a poncho as rain gear but when I tarp camp I use a 10ft x 10ft silny tarp that when properly rolled is smaller than a 32oz water bottle and it allows me to set up a plow point shelter which gives a lot more protection in colder weather. It also sets up in less than 2 min once you get use to it. Just something to think about for further experimentation.
Hi Dixie. When you test the hammock setup, I’ve seen some people use a bigger/ longer tarp to provide a sitting / cooking 🍳 area, changing/ privacy area & great rain protection. love seeing fancy out there too. 🐕 🥰👏 Happy New year 🎆
I use the Exped air pillow and love it. It has tabs with holes and i use a thin cord to keep it in place. Sometimes put a extra t shirt over it which gives it more grip and softness.
We camp a lot in the Dugger Mountain area and the Wolf spiders are every where. The way that Poncho tarp is set up is called a Plow point and I will use a tarp that way in the summer because it is cooler but never in the cold. Thanks for sharing can't wait for the next video.
I would love to hear you talk more about not being an early riser. Neither am I and it does not seem to sink up with other hiker's schedules, so I don't hike as much as I would like. When I do, I don't get restorative sleep trying to keep up with early risers, so I find myself sleep deprived and fatigued. I suppose I could do more solo, but I'm not necessarily comfortable with that, and it's hard to find other hikers that would like to sleep in and maybe hike at night, hummm....
I tried a poncho tarp but wasn't overly keen for UK hiking, I prefer the rectangular Monk tarp or Cricket from MLD, just nicer living spaces for not too much weight penalty, great vid as always Dixie
Great video! Well shot and edited too. I loved finding all the spiders on my night hiking parts when I was in the Ozarks. So many little blue “droplets” I liked to call them. Kinda freaky when there are so many all around you and you know that they are all spiders!
I'm glad the racoon was just that. Finding a spider large enough to own that set of eyes really would make you scream. I appreciate your explanation of why you hike so much at night (late riser.) Could you please give us some time stamps on your activities so we get a sense of how your day breaks down? Also would be interested in mileage covered each day. I really enjoy your channel. Thank you for sharing and best of luck in the new year!
I like cowgirl camping also, but I don't see the weight savings between a light wt. tent and a tarp, especially if you have to have a bug bivy too. So I gave it up and have settled on a lt wt single wall tent. Happy New Year to you all.
I agree. I had the original hexamid tent with the net floor. That was really fine but it didn't cinch down to 360 protection and found it too breezy. Im only 5'6"and now have the altaplex...its designed for tall people but i love it.... Easy to get in and out of. 😊
I use the My Pillow travel pillow at home. I also use it in the hammock, where you don't want much of a pillow. It isn't very heavy, rolls up small and can be used flat or doubled up. They can be tried and bought in stores or on line.
Love your objectivity. You have the best reviews. Looking forward to my first thru hike on the LT this coming September. Owe you for all the great advice! Thanks Dixie
I recently own and use a 8X10 tarp as well as a minimal bivy sac. The tarp is my favorite shelter compared to the tent. My biggest problem is that it scares the heck out of me. In this video Dixy came across crazy spiders while night hiking. As much as I want to do 20's and backpack like that, I don't get how to use a tarp and not get one of those things on your face. People use tarps successfully on all of the big three (AT,PCT,CDT). How do they not get put in the hospital from Spiders, Scorpions, and some of the centipedes. Is there a trick to avoid late night visitors? Those spiders seemed more interested in you compared to running away. You cant put Permethrin on your face. I'd like some advice because between Dixy and Jupiter Hikes, my goals might be stopped by this dilemma.
I have slept on bare ground in the summer by florida canals in survival classes. Spiders everywhere....on the ground,in the trees. It's mostly a mind thing. I have hammock camped in Amazonia and Panama with my boots sitting in the jungle. Shake your stuff out before you put it on and it shouldn't be a problem. That stuff is out there with you all the time just like ticks......it's just how much you let it get to you. You could use a headnet if you were really worried about your face.
That is a very narrow tarp to camp under, as it is also proportioned to be a poncho. ( too much of a compromise?) I would like the option to stake it closer to the ground to block wind, for comfort and stove efficiency, but it is too narrow. Even flying it high you still don't have sufficient height to sit up comfortably to cook, drink, organise gear, etc. Site selection is crucial - wind is your enemy - and it can change direction in the night ! I would recommend a square tarp, not smaller than 7' X 7' and pitch it from one elevated corner, plough point style.
Try the wilderness innovation poncho-hammock; my favorite configuration to sleep with a poncho is with bungee balls at the corners, and shaping the poncho with your trekking poles forming an inverted V over your head (you can move and adjust them from inside) and your backpack at your feet (so your feet don't touch the poncho).
Watching this made me realize two things: one, I’m glad you’re willing to try new things and share your experiences with us, and second, I need a cool logo!
Too bad the poncho did not work out for you on this trip. This is the problem when always looking for ways to decrease the weight of your pack. You will reach a point where you find out that you overdid things and by then it's too late and could even leave you in a pretty bad situation. I absolutely love my hammock/tarp/underquilt combo and am a strong believer in that no matter how bad the trail was, a good sleep will make it all worth while. The opposite can also be said, that when you had a bad night sleep, the trail the next day has to be seriously amazing to make up for it. Good luck with your hammock, I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do :).
Your accent ramps up when you hang around other Alabamans I think! LOL People say that about me and my Canadian accent when I find fellow Canucks in the woods. ROFL
You should hear my Cali butt after about two weeks visiting family in Quebec or Lafayette. Which I did alot as a youngster. Cane in handy back when they shipped a bunch of people from Louisiana after hurricane Katrina. I became the Cajuns interpreter at my store for quite awhile. 🙂
I use a Sea to Summit Aeros and I find it fabulous. But you have to have lock in stickers on your sleep pad to keep it in place. With the lock in stickers it DOES NOT MOVE!
For 35+ years, I used a poncho or tarp as my main shelter, following the footsteps of Colin Fletcher. If pitched correctly in the right location, one will stay dry and condensation-free in any type of weather conditions. Having said that, tarps are not for everyone and most are better off with a tent.
For some reason this video is making me homesick for ‘Bama. Thinking about the Pinhotti for 2022. Heading out on the AT in 2 months. Stay on the path! Monk
I'm same on pillows, I think it's a side-sleeper thing. The problem with inflatable pillows is thin ones don't stay put like skinny feather or poly pillows.
I use the sea to summit pillow. I carry a small square of shelf paper, that foamy stuff, and put it under the pillow to keep it in place. Not perfect, but works reasonably well.
Tarps have their own charm, but the MLD "Pro Poncho Tarp" weighs 198g (DCF version), and the MLD "Superlight Solo Bivy" weighs 230g. That is 428g combined. The Zpacks "Plexamid" tent weighs 433g - and "yes", you will need to add some rainclothes into this weight comparison, but after the other gear and food items has been packed, i dont think this will be very noticeable...
Here in Scotland we have around 30 000 lakes and a gazillion streams never mind loads of rivers. I gave up buying walking boots decades ago and wear Wellington's during autumn, winter and spring. Open backed sandals (as I did in The Sahara for a decade) during the summer.
Wow, I’ve never clicked on the details on Dixie’s videos before. There is a lot of good info. Very organized. Thanks for all the hyperlinks. My 2020 Camino was cancelled and this will give me an opportunity for more research before doing something this year.
Was just down in that area of the Pinhoti in November. The views out there are phenomenal. Walked right by that plane and videoed it as well. Alabama surprised me.
MLD makes really good gear, including their tarp. Sleeping under a tarp is an acquired taste, so good on you for acknowledging your limitations and not bulling your way through to an unhappy conclusion. I look forward to your thoughts on tarping as the weather warms up, but I'm really anxious to see/hear your hammock experience.
I know this trip is more about trying different gear but I wish you talked more about the trail itself. That last clip looked like it was the little piece of the Chief Ladiga Trail.
You should check out the Exped inflatable down pillow it's a little on the heavy side at 5.5 ounces but it's as comfy as my pillow at home. It also has two loops on the side where you can attach a piece of shock cord and cord lock to hold it in place on your sleep pad.
Maybe check out the SMD Gatewood Cape as a better poncho tarp option. It's a mid shaped tarp for 360 protection that you can sit upright in, even in bad weather. Works well in poncho mode too. I didn't get on with a flat poncho tarp either.
@14:58: Beef marinara??! 😂 I"ve also read great reviews for their chicken poke bowl and their pork sushi... Kudos for your respect for spiders (that wolf spider was a looker...). And beautiful shot @17:07
To me, a small poncho tarp is part of the advance tarping 301 class. A larger tarp is easier to use and roomier. A Six Moons Designs Gatewood cape with their Serenity NetTent would look/feel much more like a tent than the MLD option which is pure tarping at it's best or worst depending on your point of view. As I cowboy camp year round, carrying a bivy is too useful. And the tarp is the lightest option which also goes well with my bivy as part of the shelter system. Hence I tarp. Tried other things, but somehow also come back to it. Bugs and critters have never been a big issue in my 14+ years of cowboy camping/tarping. Though I do check for ants and signs of burrowing in the ground before stopping for the night.
Pillow advice: if the pillow keeps shooting out from under your head, take some peel and stick velcro strips and put about 3" on the back of the pillow and 3" on the top of the air mattress. It'll stay. I put a strip on the left and a strip on the right so it won't pivot either. Bonus tip: put the softer, loop side on the air matress and it won't rub you if you don't use a pillow. Put the hook side on the pillow.
Has anyone ever complimented you on your voice? It is unique, very understandable, laced with character and absolutely perfect for the videos you produce. Great job.
Sounds like you’re describing wine my friend.
You only forgot to include the peppery notes... Dixie, your vlogs are like high quality H2O.... So satisfying. 😎
I lobe how she somehow rememers modesty. Seems like many need the clickbait thumbnail to get attention.
I wouldn't call that a fail. I'd call it "knowing the limitations of the product for the trail" which is an honest critique and information that people can use.
Best wishes to y'all for the coming year and to you too, Aaron.
I made a Frostline poncho tent a long time ago. Also used contractors plastic for a tarp. And then cuben fiber tarps. So many ticks, spiders, scorpions, mosquitos, and one night in Colorado a mouse trail across my face all night. A bivy helped some, but then I got condensation on top of my bag especially at the toe box, less so above the knees since it was a quilt. I gave up on tarps when the snow blew in on an elk hunt in September in MT. Wind changed and couldn't keep the snow out. So next weekend I took the ZPacks Solplex which I knew had hundreds of holes in the floor, and did not tuck in the polycryo ground sheet and woke up during a pounding night rain to my air mattress floating down at the feet.
So as Rosanne Rosannadanna (SNL) says, "Well, Jane, it just goes to show ya. It's always something. If it's not one thang it's another."
To me, a no bugs at night, better rain protection and a better windbreak is worth its weight in gold. Your test gear seemed close to cowboy camping. I never knew anybody could have so much practical advice about pillows... Keep them coming :)
Would reccommend practicing sleeping on your back--something that is hard to get use to but pays in the long run..Knots--search on U-tube--all sorts of quicktie and quick release--handy to know................
@@johnnyhays2942 How on earth does it pay? It can create or exacerbate circulation problems, back problems, and other joint problems. That's not what I would call a payout, and I see no benefit whatsoever, other than you can maybe save 3-6 oz of sleeping pad weight. I'll carry the extra weight and keep my circulation, back and joints in proper working order thanks.
@@johnnyhays2942 I'd argue the opposite, side sleeping has often been shown to be better for your brain and has even been associated with less chance of dementia / Alzheimer's.
I’ve also settled on the Klymit pillow. That indentation in the center is what makes it work for my as I’m a side sleeper so my ear rests comfortably there. Also helps keep it from sliding away.
According to the survivor, who walked from the crash site the next morning, the pilot-in-command was his father, occupying the left seat, the right seat occupant was his older brother, and he was in the back seat with two hunting dogs and an assortment of shotguns as they were returning home from a bird hunting trip near Storm Lake, Iowa. They had departed Storm Lake that morning between 9 and 10 o'clock. He stated that the pilot was maintaining a slow descent to continue visual reference with the ground because visibility was deteriorating in mist and light rain. He stated that he had just scanned the instruments from the back seat and their heading was 130 degrees and the altimeter read 2,500 feet. He further stated he felt uncomfortable at that altitude and location. They were experiencing no troubles with the engine, airplane controls, or navigation systems. The survivor stated that they encountered constant drizzle starting near Columbia, Tennessee, and he remembered barely making out lights on the ground at Piedmont from his back seat position. He stated that the sun was just setting, and that they simply flew into the mountain top. Their destination was Carrollton, Georgia, about 31 miles from the accident site.
I use a spare shirt over my sleeping pad and stick my Klymit X pillow inside to keep it from sliding around and it’s softer on my face if I side sleep.
Nice suggestion! I'll try that!
@@marcohanig176 Yes, I will try this out. I use Klymit pillow also.
you can use any fleece the same way . . .
Hello Miss Kentucky, I don’t get to comment like I want because I watch on my TV ,so no way to comment.
Love your Channel,everybody loves your channel!! I live in western NC ,so I have the AT in my back yard. My dad started me at 12 years old! Loved it every since.
Keep doing what you do,your great at it! Enjoy life and hopefully our paths will cross one day it will be great to meet you.
I'd recommend looking at the Corporal's Corner channel and searching out his "Quick Deploy Ridge Line" video. It is a quick simple way of setting up a ridge line for tarp shelters. I also recommend getting a piece of cordage about 3 feet long and, while you are sitting around camp or wherever, practice tying and untying a bowline, a clove hitch, a timber hitch, an alpine butterfly loop, and setting up a truckers hitch, and a prusik loop, until you can do them in the dark with your eyes closed. Teach your fingers to do them without your eyes and brain, so that when it's cold, wet, dark, and you are exhausted, they are automatic. I learned them when I was guiding rivers, but still use them all the time. A hank of cordage weighs very little, and knowledge even less. Together a rope and a few proper knots are endlessly useful, even lifesaving, tools to have.
I keep telling myself I need to learn about six good knots. I have loads of time, some of it could be sp;ent on learning a little trick that could help in a situation like you describe above. Just a little investment in time and maybe fun.
I use one knot, slip knot, ultra easy to tie and untie and holds for me
I agree. Knowing a really good tension knot, a few good hitches, a couple of good bends, and at least one rock solid stopper knot will go a LONG way, and will make a hank of line one of the most useful things you can possibly carry on the trail.
@@wisenber It's still a useful thing to know. There are a ton of ways to rig up something like a tarp or poncho, depending on location. Also, she is going to be trying out a hammock set up and it may come in handy.
Was just listening to Vivaldi like an hour ago and Bam... This is how the universe works. Great choice of music!
I use a Buff to cover my inflatable pillow. It keeps it from getting gross.
Love to see that I'm not the only one that has a whole conversation with myself about why it could be nice to stay in that warm sleeping bag and not ever getting out of it unless it gets 70 degrees.
@Eastern fence Lizard
Lol.
u r da silli!
psst! Did you tell her you are from San Diego and Ft Lauderdale?
shhh! of course not! And keep your voice down! Samantha might hear you!
This my sound corny, but I have watched your trips for so long I feel like I am "hiking with a friend ". Thank you for taking me along
Me too. I told the spiders to 'leave her alone' and moved my hand to fling it away with a shudder. Dixie teaches from the elbow, sharing mistakes with grace and good humor. When she's tired you realize how grueling hiking is. Streams are cold. Stoves don't want to work. You don't know what's ahead but you're happy to come along. Some folks like to be too perfect on camera. Gear and miles of scenery covered like vacation photos. I'm glad Dixie packs us for the 'hike with a friend'.
🤮
O yeah.. Its the same... Nice trekking man
@@NoName-mb7iw Nice username.
Thanks for sharing all of the different set-ups and the Pinhoti Trail. The Pinhoti is probably going to be my AT prep trail.
Used a poncho shelter in the army in upstate NY for 3 winters straight. With the right sleeping system it works great.
Love the "ominous Vivaldi" music at the start! Makes it sound like winter is blowing in and will get you. And it was. And it did. Brave of you, Dixie, to try out the tarp and bivy sack set up in the cold. I could not do that and was not surprised, cold-sensitive that you are, that you postponed a more complete test for warmer weather. Hike on! Tortoise
Reasons to have poncho/tarp:
1. When you must have ultralight weight
2. When it's hot at night
3. You want super simple
Reasons to have a tent:
1. Keep bugs out
2. Keep snakes out
3. Stay warm
4. Stay drier
5. Keep critters out of your stuff
6. More privacy
7. You expect wind
Where I hike, bugs and warmth are the biggest issues. I really dislike things crawling all over me while I sleep, or having mosquitoes bite my face while sleeping. We also have a lot of problems with rodents getting into everything and lots of rain so overall I don't think I could ever get into the tarp system unless desperate.
I love to imagine walking in the pouring rain, soaked to my skin. Setting up a tarp in howling wind, rain and snow thick and fast. I get to my sleeping g bag and it’s wet... then I roll over and burrow deeper into my bedclothes
A good quality bivi bag does all that, + hootchi tarp, if you want a dry cook & gear storage area. Nevertheless it's an acquired taste.
It made me happy to hear you mention the Florida Trail in your video! Being from Florida I feel like Florida hiking does not get enough love and I'm glad it's going to be getting more exposure.
The catenary cut of the MLD Pro silnylon tarp works best in the A-frame mode, which is pretty good for marginal weather, but limits move-around space pretty severely. I have a flat poncho tarp from 2004, I think, which is more versatile, but still very small. I use my hammock 98% of the time and my Hilleberg Akto when I expect heavy snow, iow, weekend higher altitude winter trips. I have a Gossamer Gear Spinn Twinn tarp if I really feel like sleeping on the ground and crawling in the mud. It made a nice hammock tarp for my 9 foot hammock, but I just traded up to the big Hammock Gear DCF winter tarp. Occasionally I take out my poncho tarp and mess with it to try to make it work better for long trips, but it's just too small.
The hiss of a deflating sleeping pad is one of the saddest sounds one can hear on a cold morning. :)~
Personally i think it's sadder if it happens at night 😭
@@Charlie-yv3ib - OMG yes, lol!
Take extra strong bin bags and fill them with leaves as a back up.
I haven't tried cowboy/bivy camping yet but I've been interested in giving it a go. I've been considering this bivy paired with a Gatewood Cape, which looks to provide a bit of extra wind protection over the MLD tarp/poncho at the cost of versatility. The idea is to have a backup plan for if I don't have trees for my hammock and tarp. Using the cape to replace my raingear only adds the 7.5oz of the bivy and an 8oz small insulated sleeping pad to my kit, unlocking being able to sleep at sites without perfect trees. About a pound extra added to my normal kit weight to have access to cowboy/bivy camping, tarp camping, single-wall tent camping, as well as hammock camping. It's overkill, sure, but I'll be able to pick whatever site I prefer plus I'll have options and redundancy for if something goes wrong on the trail. Scouts drilled that 'Be Prepared' thing in hard. XD
Another good one. Thanks. I suggest you get 2 person quilt and pad. Even just as friends body heat is wonderful.
Could be a body odor issue.
For a pillow I use my cleanest T shirt stuffed with some of my other cleanest clothes. No extra weight and I can control size and firmness.
Excellent video Dixie.
Thanks
clean is relative. tell the truth :P
My husband always laughs at those hang glider signs. Enjoying your hike (a few months late). Good to see you out again.
I believe its the southern end of Page Pond, under Wocket Ledge on the AT in NH, that was originally a beaver dam that silted in. So, if the trail still crossed right at the waters edge (I remember walking on a lot of soggy Labrador tea), then you walked on a beaver dam.
There is a 2nd as the trail descends to the road that runs along one of the Moxie Ponds, but I'm pretty sure that the trail was relocated before you went through.
Poncho, tarp, hang glider.
That beaver dam is amazing ‼️
Great video, I really enjoyed this one because it is so refreshingly real and there is strength in vulnerability. ❤️
Forty years ago I night hiked...once. Ever since that fateful evening I start early in the morning. Thanks for the video.
I prefer a tarp/bivy combo for most of my trips unless I know a ton of rain is possible. I really like the ease of setup with a dedicated ridgeline and I can sleep on top of the bivy if bugs aren't an issue. That said, now that I'm back in SC I'm going to try a hammock setup and see how that works out. There are some amazingly light hammocks available on the market right now and I already have tarps to use. I'll just need to have Cedar Ridge build me a bottom quilt and I should be good to give it a try.
I could not see myself using that system. Hikers should thank you for all that you do in showing and experiencing items that are good,better, and best. Now I know why water on the trail needs to be filtered......Dixie walked thru it barefoot !😂
A quick tip I got from another AT hiker is to put your buff on your inflatable pillow like a pillowcase. This helps minimize slipping at night and also keeps things more sanitary because you can easily wash your buff. Also Dixie, you've had that grease pot for a while; would you ever consider testing a different cook system? Would be interested to see if you find the adonized aluminum pots with the heat transferred on the bottom to be worhwhile.
I got all hungry at the start. Thought I was about to see Chef’s Table.
I don’t think I would like night hiking. I like to see and would feel like I was in a tunnel. It is super cool to see the familiar sights of the Pinhoti in your videos.
I love watching your hiking videos, and I'm really excited that you're coming to hike the FT! Florida doesn't have the sweeping vistas you get on other trails, but the FT has its beauty and challenges. And that's why I do not recommend using a tarp on the FT unless you have spent a decent amount of time in inland South Florida. Nothing is dependable about our weather or wildlife except their unpredictability. Just expect dampness, mud, and bugs and plan accordingly.
I was born in Melbourne and lived in West Palm area until high school. Happy to be getting back down there ♥️
I have all three of the large brand pillows you tried. I agree, the Klymit X is the most secure. It creates a really nice pocket for your head, gives some neck support, and doesn't tend to wander as much. It works well in a hammock and on the ground.
Great video, Dixie! Engaging, aesthetic & well-edited. Thanks for sharing another adventure w. us. :-) And re: the tarp, I agree w. others saying it's not a fail to have judgement about the best tool for a situation. The people who designed that poncho tarp probs didn't intend for it to be a cold-wind shelter. Happy New Year from Aus!
Nice to see someone mention katabatic gear. I’ve got the 20° and 40° Been using them for years I think they’re awesome
Hey Dixie, I really enjoy your videos...Your a very remarkable person ..So stay safe out there...A fan from Kentucky
Love my Alsek also, but purchased a Wide version, with 2 oz of overstuff. The wide really helps in keeping those draft out. About to switch to the Nemo, Tensor Alpine pad. Hoping that will sure up my sleep system. Still haven't made the switch to a pillow...
This is my first winter tarp camping, it is a different animal. I salute you for your attempt!! Happy new year and trails!!!
a poncho is great for day hikes or emergencies if you need a quick shelter. it's great in the summer if you just want to keep a light rain off, it's great for keeping your gear dry but for anything else it is too small and too cold.
I like using a poncho tarp with an emergency tarp underneath to help reflect back body heat in the winter. I’ve used that in Maine when it’s gotten down to 9 degrees and some snow on the ground.
Though I can understand the appeal of having a tent in the winter. Tarps in the summer are much easier to carry.
I use a tarp in the plow point config.
I feel like the poncho tarp would be ideal for someone already interested in tarp camping, and on a trip where you do not expect inclement weather. Or potentially to lighten a day pack to include a rain layer & a shelter in case of emergencies. I just keep trying to envision having to take it off to set up the tarp in the rain and... that probably takes more gumption than I have. On an entirely different note, I highly appreciate the pillow reviews because I am a side sleeper and my arm + jacket aren’t usually enough to avoid a serious crick in my neck by the morning. I wonder if sticking them inside the hood of a mummy bag would help keep them from running off in the night?
Your experience on the Pinhoti is very relatable and therefore accessible, scrambling over down trees , etc.Thank you for sharing.
It seems that using your raingear as your shelter would be too limiting in rainy weather. If you get to camp and have to remove the poncho to set up as shelter, you're exposed to the elements while setting up and while doing any camp chores like getting water, cooking( if you don't want to cook where you sleep), etc.
Bring a lightweight umbrella for those occasions. Comes in handy anyway.
I think the concept is to sleep sitting while wearing the poncho. At least that was how I did it in Vietnam. You don't need to carry the sleeping bag and pads when you do it that way. The idea of putting it up as a shelter defeats the point of wearing the poncho, like you mentioned.
Easy to use a cheap dollar store poly poncho around camp if it's raining.
@@USMC6976 Sleep sitting? While wearing the poncho? I can’t think of anything more uncomfortable when hiking. My back would be stuffed the next day 😊 Tarp-poncho is great for light rain situations. If it’s raining when you get to camp then you simply set-up for sleep once you’ve finished chores & eating etc.. Easy.
Just limiting. Not TOO limiting. I didn't like all the exposure yet others love it. Hike your own hike.
Vivaldi's Winter. I see what you did there, Aaron.
My first laugh.
Great ear jennifer i checked and you are right,bravo.
I knew that.....???
@@TheNoonie50 Sorry? You knew what?
@@jenniferlawrence1372 Joke Jennifer, joke.
I really like having a poncho as rain gear but when I tarp camp I use a 10ft x 10ft silny tarp that when properly rolled is smaller than a 32oz water bottle and it allows me to set up a plow point shelter which gives a lot more protection in colder weather. It also sets up in less than 2 min once you get use to it. Just something to think about for further experimentation.
Hi Dixie. When you test the hammock setup, I’ve seen some people use a bigger/ longer tarp to provide a sitting / cooking 🍳 area, changing/ privacy area & great rain protection. love seeing fancy out there too. 🐕 🥰👏
Happy New year 🎆
I use the Exped air pillow and love it. It has tabs with holes and i use a thin cord to keep it in place. Sometimes put a extra t shirt over it which gives it more grip and softness.
Interesting. Not sure I would want to be open to the elements so much as you are with a tarp. Thanks for testing for us!
Happy New Year Dixie. Thank you for the vids and hard work you did this year making em.
We camp a lot in the Dugger Mountain area and the Wolf spiders are every where. The way that Poncho tarp is set up is called a Plow point and I will use a tarp that way in the summer because it is cooler but never in the cold. Thanks for sharing can't wait for the next video.
I would love to hear you talk more about not being an early riser. Neither am I and it does not seem to sink up with other hiker's schedules, so I don't hike as much as I would like. When I do, I don't get restorative sleep trying to keep up with early risers, so I find myself sleep deprived and fatigued. I suppose I could do more solo, but I'm not necessarily comfortable with that, and it's hard to find other hikers that would like to sleep in and maybe hike at night, hummm....
I tried a poncho tarp but wasn't overly keen for UK hiking, I prefer the rectangular Monk tarp or Cricket from MLD, just nicer living spaces for not too much weight penalty, great vid as always Dixie
Always fun for us, even if conditions are not great for you. Thanks again.
I watched this on New Years Eve, happy new year to you guys 🎉
Spiders are fearless! Happy New Year, Dixie!!!!!
Great video! Well shot and edited too. I loved finding all the spiders on my night hiking parts when I was in the Ozarks. So many little blue “droplets” I liked to call them. Kinda freaky when there are so many all around you and you know that they are all spiders!
I'm glad the racoon was just that. Finding a spider large enough to own that set of eyes really would make you scream. I appreciate your explanation of why you hike so much at night (late riser.) Could you please give us some time stamps on your activities so we get a sense of how your day breaks down? Also would be interested in mileage covered each day. I really enjoy your channel. Thank you for sharing and best of luck in the new year!
I like cowgirl camping also, but I don't see the weight savings between a light wt. tent and a tarp, especially if you have to have a bug bivy too. So I gave it up and have settled on a lt wt single wall tent.
Happy New Year to you all.
I agree. I had the original hexamid tent with the net floor. That was really fine but it didn't cinch down to 360 protection and found it too breezy. Im only 5'6"and now have the altaplex...its designed for tall people but i love it.... Easy to get in and out of. 😊
I use the My Pillow travel pillow at home. I also use it in the hammock, where you don't want much of a pillow. It isn't very heavy, rolls up small and can be used flat or doubled up. They can be tried and bought in stores or on line.
Love your objectivity. You have the best reviews. Looking forward to my first thru hike on the LT this coming September. Owe you for all the great advice! Thanks Dixie
As a flat pillow user at home also I agree that the klymit X is the most comfortable to sleep on when camping
I recently own and use a 8X10 tarp as well as a minimal bivy sac. The tarp is my favorite shelter compared to the tent. My biggest problem is that it scares the heck out of me. In this video Dixy came across crazy spiders while night hiking. As much as I want to do 20's and backpack like that, I don't get how to use a tarp and not get one of those things on your face. People use tarps successfully on all of the big three (AT,PCT,CDT). How do they not get put in the hospital from Spiders, Scorpions, and some of the centipedes. Is there a trick to avoid late night visitors? Those spiders seemed more interested in you compared to running away. You cant put Permethrin on your face. I'd like some advice because between Dixy and Jupiter Hikes, my goals might be stopped by this dilemma.
I have slept on bare ground in the summer by florida canals in survival classes.
Spiders everywhere....on the ground,in the trees.
It's mostly a mind thing. I have hammock camped in Amazonia and Panama with my boots sitting in the jungle. Shake your stuff out before you put it on and it shouldn't be a problem. That stuff is out there with you all the time just like ticks......it's just how much you let it get to you.
You could use a headnet if you were really worried about your face.
Happy New Year DIXIE. here is too a better 2021. agree with you on the poncho tarp.. I stay cold and would never be able too use one. stay safe.
That is a very narrow tarp to camp under, as it is also proportioned to be a poncho. ( too much of a compromise?) I would like the option to stake it closer to the ground to block wind, for comfort and stove efficiency, but it is too narrow. Even flying it high you still don't have sufficient height to sit up comfortably to cook, drink, organise gear, etc.
Site selection is crucial - wind is your enemy - and it can change direction in the night !
I would recommend a square tarp, not smaller than 7' X 7' and pitch it from one elevated corner, plough point style.
Try the wilderness innovation poncho-hammock; my favorite configuration to sleep with a poncho is with bungee balls at the corners, and shaping the poncho with your trekking poles forming an inverted V over your head (you can move and adjust them from inside) and your backpack at your feet (so your feet don't touch the poncho).
Watching this made me realize two things: one, I’m glad you’re willing to try new things and share your experiences with us, and second, I need a cool logo!
Yep, Dixie can do trial runs do no-one else has to
@@india1422 especially in winter! :)
Have that same quilt, it's fantastic. Glad you enjoy yours. Crazy airplane!
Too bad the poncho did not work out for you on this trip. This is the problem when always looking for ways to decrease the weight of your pack. You will reach a point where you find out that you overdid things and by then it's too late and could even leave you in a pretty bad situation. I absolutely love my hammock/tarp/underquilt combo and am a strong believer in that no matter how bad the trail was, a good sleep will make it all worth while. The opposite can also be said, that when you had a bad night sleep, the trail the next day has to be seriously amazing to make up for it. Good luck with your hammock, I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do :).
Loving the Vivaldi, so perfect ! 🥰
Your accent ramps up when you hang around other Alabamans I think! LOL People say that about me and my Canadian accent when I find fellow Canucks in the woods. ROFL
@@TrueLeft-n6j I was laughing at my own joke about finding Canucks in the woods. Apparently I'm the only one who found it funny.
I noticed that too.
You're fine, I do the same thing. And yes, I'm from the hills.
You should hear my Cali butt after about two weeks visiting family in Quebec or Lafayette. Which I did alot as a youngster. Cane in handy back when they shipped a bunch of people from Louisiana after hurricane Katrina. I became the Cajuns interpreter at my store for quite awhile. 🙂
I put a lot of miles on my old GoLite silnylon poncho and a bivy cover. I also pitched it over my hammock, but it is a summer rig.
Happy New Year Dixie!, from the Philippines!
Dixie,
Cool video. I like the musical accompaniment and different style of the intro. Sorry you had to leave your puppy behind
I use a Sea to Summit Aeros and I find it fabulous. But you have to have lock in stickers on your sleep pad to keep it in place. With the lock in stickers it DOES NOT MOVE!
My last night hike in VT - there were eyes lit up far up the trail. It was the same spider as at 3:55. I never would have seen it in the daytime.
For 35+ years, I used a poncho or tarp as my main shelter, following the footsteps of Colin Fletcher.
If pitched correctly in the right location, one will stay dry and condensation-free in any type of weather conditions. Having said that, tarps are not for everyone and most are better off with a tent.
Nice to hear another student of Colin Fletcher, one who knows about tarps and their benefits!
I'm a tarp and hammock guy, any weather, all year. But then I'm not a through-hiker and there's nearly always suitable trees. Bug nets can be handy!
For some reason this video is making me homesick for ‘Bama. Thinking about the Pinhotti for 2022. Heading out on the AT in 2 months. Stay on the path! Monk
I'm same on pillows, I think it's a side-sleeper thing. The problem with inflatable pillows is thin ones don't stay put like skinny feather or poly pillows.
I use the sea to summit pillow. I carry a small square of shelf paper, that foamy stuff, and put it under the pillow to keep it in place. Not perfect, but works reasonably well.
Tarps have their own charm, but the MLD "Pro Poncho Tarp" weighs 198g (DCF version), and the MLD "Superlight Solo Bivy" weighs 230g. That is 428g combined. The Zpacks "Plexamid" tent weighs 433g - and "yes", you will need to add some rainclothes into this weight comparison, but after the other gear and food items has been packed, i dont think this will be very noticeable...
Here in Scotland we have around 30 000 lakes and a gazillion streams never mind loads of rivers. I gave up buying walking boots decades ago and wear Wellington's during autumn, winter and spring. Open backed sandals (as I did in The Sahara for a decade) during the summer.
Wow, I’ve never clicked on the details on Dixie’s videos before. There is a lot of good info. Very organized. Thanks for all the hyperlinks.
My 2020 Camino was cancelled and this will give me an opportunity for more research before doing something this year.
Alsek 22 or palisade 30 with borah bivy with monk tarp is my go to! Got away from the poncho tarp because it didn’t work very well in wind.
Was just down in that area of the Pinhoti in November. The views out there are phenomenal. Walked right by that plane and videoed it as well. Alabama surprised me.
There are two crashes planes along the Pinhoti. If I’m remembering correctly, you saw the one near Cheaha. The one she highlighted was near Dugger.
That tarp looked cold! Happy new year Dixie. Enjoy having a bit of a break. Julia - UK
MLD makes really good gear, including their tarp. Sleeping under a tarp is an acquired taste, so good on you for acknowledging your limitations and not bulling your way through to an unhappy conclusion. I look forward to your thoughts on tarping as the weather warms up, but I'm really anxious to see/hear your hammock experience.
I know this trip is more about trying different gear but I wish you talked more about the trail itself. That last clip looked like it was the little piece of the Chief Ladiga Trail.
You should check out the Exped inflatable down pillow it's a little on the heavy side at 5.5 ounces but it's as comfy as my pillow at home. It also has two loops on the side where you can attach a piece of shock cord and
cord lock to hold it in place on your sleep pad.
Maybe check out the SMD Gatewood Cape as a better poncho tarp option. It's a mid shaped tarp for 360 protection that you can sit upright in, even in bad weather. Works well in poncho mode too. I didn't get on with a flat poncho tarp either.
@14:58: Beef marinara??! 😂
I"ve also read great reviews for their chicken poke bowl and their pork sushi...
Kudos for your respect for spiders (that wolf spider was a looker...). And beautiful shot @17:07
To me, a small poncho tarp is part of the advance tarping 301 class. A larger tarp is easier to use and roomier. A Six Moons Designs Gatewood cape with their Serenity NetTent would look/feel much more like a tent than the MLD option which is pure tarping at it's best or worst depending on your point of view.
As I cowboy camp year round, carrying a bivy is too useful. And the tarp is the lightest option which also goes well with my bivy as part of the shelter system. Hence I tarp. Tried other things, but somehow also come back to it. Bugs and critters have never been a big issue in my 14+ years of cowboy camping/tarping. Though I do check for ants and signs of burrowing in the ground before stopping for the night.
Have a happy new year 🎆. Thanks for sharing your adventures and product reviews. 😊👍
I liked this mix of trail and review video. Thank you
Big Hug from Texas ya'll..the wake up sucks smtimz.
You rock.
Dixie thank you for 2020. Happy New Year 2021. Lets hope it's beteer than 2020.
That beaver dam seems to be a real frog wash. You are good at finding the barking spiders.
I would like see setting up in snowy weather
When hiking at night isn’t extreme enough, vlog while doing it and try new equipment.