Even with the chilly winter weather, I was getting cabin fever. I felt that I had enough gear to keep me safe and comfortable overnight in the woods. When we decided to visit family in West Virginia, I saw an opportunity to get outside. When we left, the weather forecast called for overnight lows in the high 30s. While my underquilt was rated for 40, I had enough additional insulation to keep me safe. Plus, if I felt too cold, I was just a short hike down the mountain to a warm bed.

The Decision

That morning, I went through my gear and practiced unpacking and re-packing my bag. Everything felt good until I checked the weather again. While the day started off relatively warm, I was hopeful the temperatures would hold. But they continued to decline, and the forecast for the next morning was in the teens. Despite an easy option to bail, I didn’t think it would be safe, let alone enjoyable. Around noon, I decided not to camp overnight, but I did test out my backpack, try out my new rain tarp, and gain valuable experience in picking a spot for my hammock.

The Hike Out

I set out early in the afternoon and started my hike through the fields and up the mountain to the woods. I crossed a stream and made my way deeper into the property. As I walked, I kept looking for spots to set up camp. I kept noticing the same problem of dead trees. While I wasn’t planning on sleeping there, I still wanted to find a place where I could if I wanted to. I eventually spotted two trees just off the trail that would work for a hammock. The ground was not level at all, but that’s the fun of hammock camping.

Setting Up Camp

Finally, time to set up some new gear in the wild! My hammock went up with no problem. I got a decent hang angle, and it was comfortable to lie in. I didn’t bother adding my underquilt, as I knew I wouldn’t be staying long. Then it was on to my new rain tarp. This was my first time setting it up in the wild, and I was unprepared for windy conditions. Plus, the dropping temperatures and light precipitation led to snow flurries. After an intense wrestling match, I got my tarp in place as well as a new ground tarp. I laid out my bag and set to taking a few pictures, and walked around to see a bit more of the area. Then it was time to pack things up and head back to a tasty home-cooked dinner.

The Hike Back

One thing I hadn’t anticipated was how much your body temperature drops after exercise. Since I wasn’t staying the night, I didn’t bring my puffy, insulated jacket. Even though I was moving while setting up camp, I was cooling off. Add in those dropping temperatures, and I was excited to be walking back to the farmhouse. Luckily, my trip back was without incident, and I was indoors warming up. While it was not the trip I had planned for, it was still a great learning experience.

General Takeaways

• It is quite easy to understimate distances and trail difficulty in the mountains
• Know the limits of your gear, trust your gut, and err on the side of caution
• Wind speeds affect your camp setup just as much as temperature will affect your sleep overnight
• You don’t need a long hike to find small problems

Lessons I Learned the Hard Way

• After hiking you cool down fast, so bring warm clothes for setting up camp
• Even if precipitation is not in the forecast, be prepared for it
• Buying gear based on recommendations is great, but it always comes down to what works best for you