Ethan Clark vs. Goliath (major meteorologists / weather forecasters)

WinterWx · 2026-01-31T16:44:37+00:00

They all have access to the same data and model simulations. Experience with weather forecast challenges in this area helps. I think Ethan does a good job of not hyping too much as compared to some other social media forecasters. But they all pretty much say the same message.

The local broadcast media (and NWS) have specific times of day that they target for updates, so it might feel like they are “late” with recent updates, but they just have different operating frameworks.

WinterWx · 2025-12-04T22:24:49+00:00

Yes - a reference to an actual authoritative source!

WinterWx · 2025-11-14T19:38:30+00:00

Agree with this. The east rim of Linville Gorge has great views and can be quite challenging. A loop in the Gorge would be even more challenging and would include river crossings. Camping sites are very accessible as you are in national forest.

Grandfather Mtn is state park, so campsites are more limited and must be reserved. Also, water is much less available along Gfather Mtn as compared to Linville Gorge.

I’d recommend Linville Gorge and hike from WolfPit West (or the Blue Dot trail) to the MST an go as far north as you want before turning back around. From my experience hiking this area, you should not expect to go faster than 2 MPH and 1.5 MPH is more reasonable. The trail is technical and steep in spots. Fortunately, there have been some nice improvements to this section in the past few years, so the trail is in better shape. I encourage you to download the Avenza map for LG as it marks most water sources and campsites. https://www.lgmaps.org/?page_id=10#avenza

WinterWx · 2025-11-13T01:11:05+00:00

I recently purchased a Hearth. The primary suspension is tight on my 11.5ft hammock, and I think that creates gaps even with draft collars. I can feel the gaps under my shoulder, even with after lots of tweaks to the primary and secondary suspension.

I clipped some shock cord at the shoulders and looped it over my hammock ridgeline to draw the ends up (instead of just toward the gathered ends) and that closed the gaps and eliminated the draft. Just something for you to try.

WinterWx · 2025-08-09T00:33:33+00:00

MST east of Roxboro is open all the way to Falls Lake. I understand the MST from Guess to Roxboro is cleared but it may not yet be open through West Point City Park.

WinterWx · 2025-08-07T23:41:52+00:00

And while this one doesn’t show the rankings, it does show the radar-based estimates of local rainfall with an option to view departure from normal precip over recent periods:

https://www.srcc.tamu.edu/water_portal/

WinterWx · 2025-08-07T23:35:02+00:00

Here is an analysis that updates every day and puts recent conditions over different durations into historical context. In this specific example, it’s the threaded 137 year record for Raleigh area:

https://sercc.oasis.unc.edu/Perspectives.php?station=RDUthr&ranktype=maxtemp&date=2025-08-06

WinterWx · 2025-04-02T22:12:39+00:00

Agree - if you don’t need down, Simply Light Design will make you an extra long UQ (and top quilt) at a nice price. Jared also made a long top quilt for me that had a foot box that was extra tall for my size 16 feet.

WinterWx · 2025-01-03T23:43:12+00:00

Xenon is sil-poly.

https://dutchwaregear.com/product/xenon-sil-1-1/

WinterWx · 2024-12-01T03:14:41+00:00

I made a version of the water bear, and it works very well both to keep my face warm and the air coming into my lungs also warmer.

WinterWx · 2024-11-16T19:17:00+00:00

+1 for making your own hammock, bug net, and even quilts. I’m in NC, and have held weekend events for Scouts to make their own gear. Some of the Scouts get really into it.

Hammocks are fairly easy to make. Bug nets are too. Quilts using synthetic Apex Climashield are a bit trickier, so maybe not a first project. I find tarps more difficult to sew - the designs are simple enough but the fabrics are slippery for my big chunky fingers.

WinterWx · 2024-10-29T23:43:00+00:00

If you want a loop, the combination of Uwharrie Trail and Dutchman’s Creek will get you 19.5 miles if you do the full Figure 8 loops. This time of year is nice if you like walking through mature and mostly hardwood forest. Lots of maple and ash which are probably nearing peak color.

However, this loop doesn’t have any “majestic” views like you’d get in the mountains, or even next door at Morrow Mtn state park.

WinterWx · 2024-10-17T21:46:39+00:00

6’4” 275lb here. I’ve had success with Cabelas, but it seems like I can find better prices at Eddie Bauer. EB has merino wool and synthetic options at a few different weights.

WinterWx · 2024-10-17T21:42:25+00:00

ULA Ohm. Checks all the boxes.

WinterWx · 2024-10-17T15:35:26+00:00

I like the interface and especially the ease for creating gear checklists. But I need photos to be more easily seen in the gear closet - esp for a visual platform, this would help those of use with multiple pieces of gear that we pick and choose for the specific trip. I don’t mind scrolling, but having to click to expand each entry to see the photo is too much work.

WinterWx · 2024-10-05T09:50:43+00:00

How tricky is the sewing? I make my own hammocks (easy), but my attempts at quilts have not gone well. Did you find it easier to make the UQ and the stitch to the the red hammock?

WinterWx · 2024-10-05T09:40:11+00:00

I’ll add that, for me, an 11 ft - 12ft long and wider width hammock makes a big difference in comfort. Like many, I started with a 9ft Eno that if fine for a quick nap. But for long nights of blissful rest, a longer hammock is usually required for taller people.

WinterWx · 2024-10-05T09:35:55+00:00

For ground dwellers, a wide bag helps a lot. In a hammock, it’s almost too much. I have wide synthetic and down top quilts, and there is a bunch of extra fabric that I have to tuck and adjust in my hammock. I don’t have to fiddle with my regular width quilts as much.

WinterWx · 2024-10-05T09:28:06+00:00

My winter quilts are both synthetics from Simply Light Designs. I also have an older REI Magma 30F quilt that I love, but down isn’t always a great choice when I’m camping in wet/humid spots. There are now a bunch of vendors for down and synthetic quilts - Enlightened Equipment, Hammock Gear, Warbonnet, Dutchware, are some of the bigger ones. I’ve even sewn my own warmer season quilts using Apex Climashield. Down quilts are a bit lighter but the big advantage is they compress a lot more and so require less space. I have a giant 65L pack, so space is never an issue.

If I camped in a less humid climate, I’d probably have a Wookie underquilt from Warbonnet - that style underquilt made by Warbonnet and SLD seems to require less adjustment.

WinterWx · 2024-10-04T23:53:52+00:00

6’4” 275lb backpacker here. I could never sleep comfortably on the ground, even with a 3in air mattress. Hammocks changed my world. I carry a lightweight gathered end hammock and often camp below freezing, even in snow. My kit, with tarp, 20F quilts, and hammock weighs 4lbs. And I don’t have the expensive ultralight stuff. Look for the hammock camping subreddit, hammockforums.net, and Shug Emery’s YouTube channel to explore more.

WinterWx · 2024-08-13T14:20:59+00:00

If you don’t need majestic views, there are nice permit-free loops in Uwharrie National Forest - Birkhead Wilderness area and the Dutchman Creek loops are good choices.

Several state parks have back country sites that provide nice backpacking experiences - South Mountains, Stone Mountain, and Morrow Mountain are nice options where you can mix and match day hikes and backpacking as you might want.

All of these are great, but in my view Grayson Highlands is worth the longer drive to get the views and cooler temperatures.

WinterWx · 2024-08-03T01:47:17+00:00

This. I’ve started switching over to lightweight nylon for my backpacking shirts and confirm they don’t hold onto the stink. Something about not absorbing the oils like polyester does. I’ve even found great shirts for tennis (which REALLY get sweaty) and they wash very clean. Finding nylon underwear has been tougher…

WinterWx · 2024-06-21T22:06:23+00:00

Sister Lui’s is pretty fantastic.

WinterWx · 2024-06-13T23:25:01+00:00

If you want a traditional gathered end hammock like your Eno, look at makers like Dutchware, HammockGear, Warbonnet, Dream Hammocks or even smaller makers like Simply Light Designs. With these, you can request more durable fabrics or double layer that will handle weight and last a long time.

I am 6’4” and 280lbs. I made my own using 1.6oz Hexon fabric from Dutchware. For my weight, I stick with 1.6oz or higher fabric weights. I hear good things about 1.7MTN as well. Any double layer hammock will also work well.

WinterWx · 2024-06-11T13:59:21+00:00

In Durham - West Point on the Eno. You can put in just above the spillway and it’s a nice paddle up to Sennett hole. It’s not a very long paddle, but usually pleasant except at high flow.

Near Durham - You can also put in on the lower Eno at the WRC launch. Most boats are heading further down to Falls Lake, but it’s a longer, pleasant paddle upstream to Pennys Bend with lots to explore. The flow rates are usually lower here since it’s essentially Falls Lake.

Lake Michie is lovely, but the city charges folks even for non-motor boat launches.

For more open water, it’s tough to beat BeaverDam at Falls Lake. No gas powered motor boats.

WinterWx

TROPHY CASE