Clark Jungle Hammock NX-150

The wind sounded like a penny whistle as it pelted my back with snow. I had used this four season hammock many times before in the summer, spring and fall, but never in subzero temperatures in the cold bitter heart of winter. I was nervous about how my NX-150 would preform, under such conditions. I wrapped my tree strap snugly around the trunk of a tall thick spruce, just above shoulder height and attached a carabiner. The hammock, still protected as it lay inside the built in stuff sack, slowly unfurled as I stretch the 12 foot waterproof cord to attach the opposite end. There is an art to hanging ones hammock properly, and done right you can say good bye to pressure points and sore stiff mornings. When selecting a tent site, uneven or rough terrain is no longer your concern. Placement is dictated by views and, of course, proximity to trees. The NX-150 with it's six exterior storage pockets, providing both organization and insolation, make set-up and take-down a contest of who else can keep pace. Forever hold the envy of others as they cast their eyes towards the heavens and behold the nest ye have created. The light and petite profile of the NX-150, take up very little pack space and allow one to leave the pad behind. Comfort and quality once only associated with the back seat of a Cadillac, the NX-150 is the Gold Standard in Hammock Camping. Every detail refined to the utmost, every aspect maximized and utilized. Sitting upright lounging by the fire; No-See-Um netting a personal restraining order against the most affectionate mosquitos; sleeping under the vastness of the Universe or Velcro holding tight the waterproof fly around ones sleeping mass like a cocoon in defense of anomalous weather patterns; Staked out in a grassy field to create a bivy style tent perfect for the stretching of legs the NX-150m preforms like no other.

Given the choice, I would go with a hammock every time in every climate. However, I have a word of warning to all you would be hammock campers out there. In this world there are ONLY two types of people, lovers and haters. Before making any purchase, be sure to decide in which camp you belong. Purchasing a Hammock only to decide later that you cannot stand the sleeping arrangements, is a long road to travel. The Nx-150 out preforms others in class by sheer engineering. i recommend Clark Jungle Hammock products as durable and extremely well designed alternative to tent camping.  

Based in Salt Lake, their shop is accessible should one need a replacement part or accessories. A family owned business who only sell direct, mean you do not see Clark Jungle Hammocks in stores like Backcountry or REI. Visit them on line for more information: http://www.junglehammock.com // $399.00 //3 lbs 7 oz

Murdock Mountain Expedition

It’s Hard. After Jeremiah Johnson and my side of the mountain and Red Dawn and Touching the Void; after Dances with Wolves and Wild America with Marty Stouffer and too many movies and TV shows to name. After Aaron Ralston, Scott O'Grady, Les Stroud; after all that it is hard for anyone to just hit the Wilderness without some plans or expectations about how the trip will go and what exactly you will encounter.  

What most of us want from being in the wilderness is adventure. And what exactly is adventure? An unpredictable experience? Managing yourself in a situation that is ultimately beyond your control?

Take JD Buxton. After purchasing a 40 year old Thiokol Spryte, after spending 3 to retrofit and restore life to this dormant beast. He, Jason Richter and I hit the trail for a winter camping trip into the Uintah Mountains.

Any camping trip is going to feel longer than you think it will. You will get tired and you will not be able to find a bed exactly when you are ready to sleep. You won’t be able eat exactly when you get hungry.

Lift riders like to complain about how slow the chairs move or how crowded the lift lines are. What I like most about the backcountry is how long it takes to get anywhere. In the backcountry travel is much slower. And unlike resorts no burgers or hot chocolate will be served. No ski patrol to watch out for your safety. No boundary lines to tell you where the dangers loom. In the backcountry you are largely left alone with your thoughts.

We all have thoughts about where we have been but mostly we just think about the places we where headed.

We camped deep in the backcountry, just below the summit of Murdock Mountain. This was our experiment, our expedition to see if this type of backcountry camping would work.

"God bless this ship and all who travel in her" Jd officially christened this vessel "Ullr"



The Journey Begins

We traveled along the

Mirror Lake Hwy

for about 15 miles until we reached the Pass.



Views from the pass



 

Once we reached the pass we turned of the hwy and headed toward Mount Murdock. We set up camp in a grove of trees just below the summit.

The story goes that [Ullr] was such a cunning wizard that he used a certain bone, which he had marked with awful spells, wherewith to cross the snow, and that by this bone he passed over the snow that barred his way as quickly as by flying.



After we set up camp we decided to go out for a little night exploration.





 

During the night it snowed pretty consistently. The next morning was cold! After breakfast we headed out to the peak of mount Murdock. We made a few runs form there and then headed off to see what else we could find to ski.

"Ullr is such a good ski-runner that no one can rival him. He is beautiful to look at as well and he has all the characteristics of a warrior. It is also good to call on him in duels"



Jd Buxton droppin' it like it's hot. We found a scenic overlook that had some fun cliffs and untracked turns.





Bond & Jd Buxton making fresh turns and turning this wonderland into a playground for big kids.



Bond “Staightnin' the curves. Flatnin’ the hills. Someday the mountain might get 'em, But the law never will. Makin' [his] way. The only way [he] know how.”



"Ullr’s favour shall be upon thee"

(Bond & Jason Richter. Bald Mountain)