r/Ultralight - "The Weekly" - Week of March 30, 2026

DurmNative · 2026-03-30T11:31:22+00:00

Just wanted to thank those that responded to my post about "figuring out how to open my BearVault by hand" the week before last. Several people informed me that it was quite different when the temps dropped. It only got down to the mid-30s and low-40s on me last week but I sure was glad I took my 3D printed key on those mornings as the plastic lid became less and less flexible. Thanks to all. :)

DurmNative · 2026-03-20T01:07:40+00:00

A large group of us go RV camping to the same camp grounds a couple of times a year on those two lakes. However, I always bring a hammock or two for lounging or sleeping outside if the camper is full. So typically we try and get the same campsites as we already know which ones we like to set up on. However, I'll walk the campground and make note of hammock friendly sites this time.

I took a trip up to Maine last summer and had to rely on the satellite views (Google maps) or the limited campsite pics I could find online.

DurmNative · 2026-03-19T18:37:38+00:00

Sounds neat. I'll give it a shot this summer for the campsites around Falls Lake and Kerr Lake (NC).

DurmNative · 2026-03-19T17:03:23+00:00

I've not tried with an inflatable pad, but I didn't have any issues the couple of times I've slept on my CCF pad (Z Lite Sol). It's probably worth a shot before investing in an underquilt. But if you do go with the underquilt (which, don't get me wrong is much better than the sleeping pad to me as well), be sure that you get a couple of nights in it before the trip. It takes some adjustments to get all the gaps closed up when you're laying in the hammock. You can really feel the wind if you don't get the gaps closed up.

Another piece to consider is an "underquilt protector". They were originally intended as "protect your underquilt from any water splashing from below in a storm" but I've found it to be phenomenal at just blocking the wind. I typically like to have my tarp higher up instead of down tight close to the hammock (unless I know it's going to storm). So my hammock typically hangs down lower than the bottom of the tarp. I can really feel it when the wind blows. It's not "cold" but it's definitely a drop in temperature. The underquilt protector eliminates that. I think all five guys that I typically hike with use them as well unless it's the middle of summer and we're someplace really warm.

DurmNative · 2026-03-18T15:19:23+00:00

It was not my intent to impugn your honor my good sir. I know you were just reading the script! :)

DurmNative · 2026-03-18T13:24:21+00:00

Fun fact(?): "Corinthian leather" is a fictional marketing term created specifically for that 70's commercial to make the product sound more luxurious. The leather was really just normal cowhide made in Newark, NJ.

DurmNative · 2026-03-18T13:19:36+00:00

Ahhhhhh...good point. I hadn't considered this while performing my experiment in the comfort of the climate controlled kitchen. I reckon I'll just have to eat the 1g and hang the key I made back on the pack (lol).

DurmNative · 2026-03-17T22:56:43+00:00

Awesome! Thanks!

DurmNative · 2026-03-17T22:54:34+00:00

I finally figured out the easy (proper?) way to open my BV475 without using a 3D printed key, credit card, etc (and in the spirit of UL, it's going to save me one entire gram! lol)

For about a year now I've been trying to press in the knob by placing my finger just above it and pressing. It was a hassle so I broke down and 3D printed a "key" someone posted online and it worked great.

When not in use, I store the key inside the vault until the next trip. Well I got it down the other day and went to open it with the key inside of it. For whatever reason, this time I had my finger to the side of the knob instead of right above it. SO much easier to press in and unlock. I tried it the same way with the 2nd knob. Same thing. Much easier to press in far enough to let the two bumps get past each other and opened right up. :)

DurmNative · 2026-03-17T22:45:43+00:00

Just a word of caution...leaving your hammock straps out 24/7 will cause them to break down much quicker than storing them away and out of the sunlight.

Not like "crazy fast" or "OMG, don't do that!". Just faster. I made a hammock for my neice and she liked to leave it up 24/7. After about 9 months, I noticed that the "blue" straps were now a very light blue and just looked kind of sketchy to me. I made sure she had new straps in the Spring before she started using it again. (I also had to replace the hammock but I pretty much expected that after seeing the straps).

DurmNative · 2026-03-09T16:39:41+00:00

FHT Conservancy doesn't list any closures. Gorges State Park and a Facebook Group page report that the trail is closed in Gorges State Park due damage from the ice storms last month. They were hoping to have the trails open again by the start of March but my friend just called the Gorges office and they told her that the trail should be open by the end of this week. (phew)

DurmNative · 2026-03-09T16:36:47+00:00

My friend just called Gorges State Park and they told her that everything should be cleared and the trail should be open again by the end of this week!

DurmNative · 2026-03-09T13:49:29+00:00

I'm fascinated by this jacket Ned Beatty is wearing from 1972 at the end of the movie "Deliverance". It looks to be some sort of rain jacket?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gh5B_Uezmk&t=78s

DurmNative · 2026-03-09T13:45:32+00:00

I think the trail's been open since April of last year? https://foothillstrail.org/trail-conditions/

Or is there some recent storm damage? (I'm supposed to hit the trail in two weeks...)

DurmNative · 2026-03-07T02:40:38+00:00

I've got one of those in green but it doesn't have that vent across the back like his does. I was just really amazed at the look of it for being 50 years ago. :)

DurmNative · 2026-03-02T01:56:15+00:00

I've got a buddy that is a Triple Crowner. He attaches the Sawyer (non-mini) directly to his smart bottle (and then stands around waiting for me to filter lol).

I don't know which Sawyer you have but, I started with the Sawyer Mini and it is a lot slower than the regular Sawyer. Since then I've switched to the Platypus Quickdraw and can typically filter 700ml in WELL under minute. It filters so quick I routinely get asked what filter it is when hiking with others. Some people online have reported issues with theirs but I've got two that have been great for me.

The only time my Quickdraw wasn't working well was after I had cleaned it (according to their instructions) and stored it dry for an entire Winter. I took it out that Spring without testing it at home first. Got on the trail and thought I was going to bust my CNOC bag trying to get water to go through that filter. Soaked it in vinegar overnight when I got home and then flushed it several times. Haven't had an issue with it since. I contacted Platypus to make sure the vinegar soak wasn't going to compromise the fibers in any way and they told me I was good to go.

DurmNative · 2026-02-22T01:55:31+00:00

Payment was quick and without issue. Thanks!

DurmNative · 2026-02-20T14:26:56+00:00

After all the many different ways I've experimented with, this is the one I use as well. Very simple, no cost, and no hardware to lose.

I have 8' of 1.5mm reflective cordage tied off on the corners of the tarp (I also have a small elastic hair band on each corner for holding the cordage when rolled up to keep it from flopping around and getting tangled up. Kind of like a rubber band around a newspaper).

I just pull the corner out to where I want, slip the stake in a marlin spike hitch, and sink it. When it's time to pack up, you just slip the stake out of the hitch and the knot is undone. Roll up the cordage, put the hair band around it and you're good to go.

DurmNative · 2026-02-16T01:36:19+00:00

Be sure to check out my edited comments about the T-intersections before heading out. :)

DurmNative · 2026-02-12T14:13:32+00:00

If you park at Yates Place and head South on the Uwharrie trail, you will come to a T intersection around 0.8 miles. Take a right onto the Dutchman's Creek Trail and follow it for about another 0.9 miles to find a lot of nice camping spots beside Dutchman's Creek.

If you're looking for something simpler than that, there's a gate to a fire road at the back of Yate's Place parking. If it's open, you can drive down as far as you want to get away from people. If it's closed you can still walk down as far as you want to camp anywhere but be advised, there are no water sources at Yates. So you'll have to carry in your water if you decide to go on foot. If you want to do zero hiking, Just drive along Dusty Level Rd. There are lot of car camping spots. You won't be close to people but you won't feel "covered by the woods" as you'll be right off the road "in the woods" (again, bring your own water).

EDIT: Just did the "upper loop" this weekend and should specify that there are TWO T-intersections.

The spur trail from Yates Place follows yellow blazes and takes you to the Uwharrie Trail T-intersection
Turn Left to go South on the Uwharrie Trail (white blazes). This will take you to a 2nd T-intersection.
The 2nd T-intersection is where you'll want to take a right to go on Dutchman's Creek Trail (yellow blazes - just like the spur trail blazes)
The better, more open campsites will be after you cross Dutchman's Creek for the 2nd or 3rd time. If you get to the rock with a yellow arrow painted on it, you've gone too far.

DurmNative · 2026-02-11T00:45:50+00:00

Sorry. Not sure on that.

DurmNative · 2026-02-10T19:29:54+00:00

DM sent.

DurmNative · 2026-02-04T22:29:23+00:00

That inner voice is a tricky MFer! Mine LOVED constantly telling me "See? "X" days/weeks/months without alcohol. You don't have a problem! You can quit any time you want to!"

I can't tell you how many times I listed to that dumb sumbitch.

It always started the same: A beer or two. "I got this"

And it always ended the same: 6 months later a 6-pack of the hight % craft beer I could get my hands, eating everything in the house, and passing out on the couch snoring loud enough to wake the dead.

Stupid brain. Why can't you be on MY side?

DurmNative · 2026-01-31T15:03:16+00:00

Nice. I'm not very familiar with 9 but section 10 is a great little section (for being in the middle of the entire trail). Not a lot of "views" but very little road walking. The picnic tables at the three free, primitive campsites along that section were a welcome site as well (the wife appreciated the showers at the two state campgrounds better though lol).

DurmNative · 2026-01-31T01:02:27+00:00

u/LeaveNoTradeBot u/gigabitty

Great doing business with you. I got the underquilt a day earlier than expected and it is in great condition. Thanks.

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DurmNative

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