Hammock Camping the Catskill Mountains - New York Backpacking in Summer

[@Devil0983]

It's so weird to go back and watch these videos of when you started using a hammok. You are the one that converted me to hammoks, it's nice to see that everyone else had a learning curve with these as well. .lol.

[@pearlharbour3300]

who would think..13 minutes into this and that fantastic view...that 120 miles back is the hustle bustle and basic nightmare of a major city...thanks for sharing,

[@sintax77]

I always prefer to play it safe and filter (or boil) anything I drink. Sometimes you'll see me scoop up some water while I'm on the move to save time, once I get to camp or take a break, I'll run it through my filter then. I also use only clearly marked, separate containers for pre-filtered water, so things don't get mixed up.

[@sintax77]

As a non-resident, I couldn't even legally transport my key-chain Pepper Spray into the state. Strangely, there's no restrictions on animal pepper spray (same stuff if you ask me), so bear spray is okay. Non-residents may possess "self-defense" pepper spray purchased from a legal vendor once inside the state. So, ummm.... I bought some fresh pepper spray just over the state line and carried that....

[@sintax77]

I think you've got the right idea with an out-and-back for your first solo. I did the same thing for my first solo in the White's. While I prefer loop hikes, an out-n-back gives you the option for altering your mileage on the fly without worrying about getting back to the car. Especially when combined with an area like the Catskills or NH, where you don't have to reserve specific campsites. Flexibility is the way to go. Good luck!

[@sintax77]

Conrats on picking up the hammock! It definately changed my perspective and approach to backpacking. I'm sure you'll enjoy it too.

[@dnhman]

thanks for taking me back to slide, been over 20+ years.

[@daveh9907]

WoW, what a fun movie to watch as well a gear-testing. and a gear list, Nice Job! Thanks for taking the time to do the video.

[@sintax77]

Thanks. Glad to hear you're getting back out there! The air traffic isn't too bad. I found it oddly entertaining, actually...

[@scottbutler1561]

Wow! First Hang video. Thanks for sharing your learning experiences over the years.

[@sintax77]

Sure was! You went wayyy back in the catalog :)

[@kurtbaier6122]

I live in the mountains of VA and have been hammock camping since 1998. It's the only way to go if you want to live life on an incline. In 1974 I did a section of the Appalachian Trial with my cousin. We had a high end mountaineering style pup tent. Each night we would toss a coin as to who slept on the low side. In the course of the night we would roll on top of each other, not to mention the rocks. Life in the air is freedom !!! What I do for storms or higher winds I drape a standard nylon 8.5x 8.5 tarp over a ridge line straight down and stake 3 corners. The fourth I tie to a heavy piece of wood to make ingress and egress easier. Thanks for the great vid, I enjoyed tagging along.

[@sintax77]

Hey, liquid sunshine is a fine alternative to actual UV rays every once in a while ;) Good luck with visiting the Whites this season! Hopefully you'll have more sunshine, but I'm sure it will be a good time either way (ok, let's be honest, no rain is better..)

[@sintax77]

Favorite post-hike burger? The 'Bison Burger' at Madison Brewing Co. in Bennington, Vermont. I stopped there after my 'Lye Brook Wilderness' vid last summer & ate at the bar alongside a NOBO through-hiker working on completing the Appalachian Trail. Great atmosphere & conversation to end an awesome solo adventure. In fact, just last week I was doing a winter solo in the Big Branch Wilderness and made sure to stop by again for tradition's sake... didn't disappoint :D

[@sintax77]

Thank you, and congrats on getting out there!

[@nickcalderone75]

Great video! I especially like the gear info/reviews. This makes me want to get back out on the trail...cannot wait!

[@sintax77]

Ideally around 12 to 25 feet. You want at least a couple extra feet beyond each each of the hammock, so you have room to adjust the tarp line tension.

[@OutWithMyGear]

Watching you hiking makes me miss warm weather and outdoors so much!

[@sintax77]

I believe it. That may have been the sharpest looking shelter I've seen on the east coast.

[@sintax77]

That's awesome, man. Congrats on deciding to give it another go and good luck!

[@sintax77]

Sounds like you're in the same general region as I am. Definitely plenty of cool spots to the North and South, as long as you're willing to spare a little sleep and gas mileage. Half the fun and memories is researching that far of spot and actually making it happen. Especially when it should have just been a typical two days off, summiting another laundry mountain in the living room, but instead you're waking up at a distant trailhead, grabbing a pop-tart from the glove box, & hitting the trail.

[@DaPolack]

You just gave me the final motivation to go hiking. Without a car as I don't have one. Great videos btw!!!

[@gliderrider]

Excellent! I like these types of videos for my workout (elliptical) training during off season. It was a pleasure. Thanks!

[@sintax77]

Thanks for the tip, I'll have to check that out. And congrats on getting out to the Turnpike, that's definitely a fun spot to explore.

[@garyg763]

Yes! I have been waiting patiently, and it was worth the wait. Thank you.

[@SumguyinTX]

Great vid. Love your stuff. Putting this trail on my list for this summer.

[@BONCOOR]

Hi Sintax77. Watched already few of your videos and I would say: keep it coming! I’m planning to hit White Mountains this Spring/Summer, so I start with those from NH to get some heads-up, however this particular one make me setup an account on KZbin. Just to make it a little more fun, I did that trail by the end of May. To make it bit hilarious, I had same kind of snacks: some honey almond square rocks (thanks to my wife), though my day one had way more ‘liquid’ sun and no views. See you.

[@davidpatterson9770]

I love how hes always pissed about the elevation gain but he still pushes out like 20 mile days! Making it look easy!

[@gerhardgerber946]

Thanks for sharing your hikes

[@willdupuis]

I'm glad you had a good first outing with your hammock. My Son and I have been very happy with our Hennessy's. If you pick up two carabiners and four descending rings you can setup a knotless hanging system that is pretty easy to adjust. It adds a little weight but is worth it to me. I also really liked your sleeping pad solution, I'll have pick one of those up. I also wanted to tell you that my Son and I hiked the abandoned turnpike a few weeks ago and your fire ring is still there.

[@sintax77]

The primary reason is to protect the more fragile vegetation that occurs due to the shorter growing season caused by higher winds and lower temps. Winter camping is permitted, since the ground is protected by snow cover (open fires are still banned above 3500' year round).

[@v5u7sulh2]

On a lighter note... great vid. That looked like a really nice trip. You sure cant beat hammock camping, especially after hiking all day! Deffinitely the most comfortable way to go!

[@AlbertaGeek]

Welcome to the irritatingly-smug ranks of hammock-campers! :) I was glad to hear that your back didn't get cold. My stomping grounds is the Canadian Rockies, and I need an underquilt with my Hennessy to keep my back warm even in summer. Such hammocks have a steeper learning curve than tents, but I find the comfort more than worth it. The snakeskins are a great product, and if you haven't already, look in to suspension modifications for quicker set-ups and height adjustments. Happy trails!

[@gordo3di]

Finally moved out of NYC and ready to camp. Thanks for this video. Might be my first overnight area.

[@sintax77]

Right, on. I think this would be a great area to start with.

[@gordo3di]

Any chance you have a trail map for this full trip? Or am i better to download them individually?

[@TonyNap1]

Doing Overlook Mountain at the end of April for a Ham Radio SOTA activation. I picked up a lot of pointers from your videos...Thank You! Picking up that Hennessy Hammock this week! Look forward to more of your videos!

[@HurricaneTeen]

Subscribed! I've thoroughly enjoyed your videos. "Thank you, State of New York. While you did take away my right to defend myself, at least you have some high end trail markers." I laughed to hard at that. You and I would get along very well :) This video in particular was a godsend. I just moved to Albany, NY, and have been looking for a place to set up my Hennessy. I'm hoping to head up there this weekend if the weather is decent.

[@ThePilpez]

Thanks for the video. Been going to the Catskills for years but Peekamoose is one of the few I never hiked planning to do it soon!

[@corey7925]

great production and great video! keep it up man ..and i will keep watching :)

[@OutLan]

Great vid! Keep them coming! This is the stuff I live for!

[@sintax77]

It's just the standard issue tarp that comes included with the Hennessy hammock. They've got some larger options as well.

[@johnbarns7710]

appreciate your videography of this hike, headed out that way tomorrow first hike in catskills. Usually adirondaks or on AT. Enjoy your videos, always

[@sintax77]

Winter trip went well, actually taking a break from editing the video now. Would love to have it up soon, just have to do some more editing...

[@Pawoodsman]

Great video, Glad to see hammock is working out for you

[@sintax77]

It's most likely due to the more fragile nature of the environment combined with possibly some rare plant life. This would also explain why they allow it during winter, when the ground most likely has decent snow cover for protection against trampling. The higher elevations can have severely different weather conditions, creating a completely different eco-system.

[@zukowitz1]

Good stuff ,, Sintax 77 !!! Glad to come upon your vids on a Sunday afternoon while doing a mountain of laundry. It's helped me escape to the places you explored. Got to give u credit for how u mentioned how u leave right after work n drive to the trail head and sleep in you'd car to get an early start. Wow!! I can't make any excuses anymore since I'm in jersey shore area. If u want to do something bad enough, u find away n just do it.. Lol

[@tiny11231]

This gave me asthma just watching it! Thanks for the video!

[@sintax77]

I've been using a Samsung H-300 for all of my videos since January '12. All my videos prior to that were filmed on a Flip Mino HD (with some occasional footage filmed on my Droid Bionic, believe it or not)

[@JamesRobertSmith]

You need to come back to NC and do the Black Mountain Crest Trail. Best and most rugged trail in the state. All on state park and National Forest land and hitting the highest summits in the eastern USA. It's my favorite backpacking overnighter here in NC and it always kicks my butt no matter how well I prepare for it.

[@TheOutdoorLife]

This one looks like a great hike to do. Well marked and no people.

[@delfinomelchor3597]

Great video, I am planning to go on the second week of July and this will help me plan this hike. I will try to get most of the gear you have

[@MajorBurns]

Awesome video dude.. Been thinking about the Catskills on my way to visit my sister in Garden City Long island.. Thanks for the excellent info MajorBurns

[@kato2531]

Cool video I'm gonna see if I can make a trip there with my son this summer

[@sintax77]

I usually pick them up at either EMS in-store or online at Amazon, depending on availability.

[@CavemanOutdoorsMissouri]

Awesome view at 12:30. Just discovered your channel and I'm enjoying your videos

[@SleepyBoBos]

Your vids are to hiking what cooking shows are to food. Easy viewing, almost like watching the camp fire at night. Could you and trail killer do a vid where you said yourself a budget and have to do an overnight hike. eg 50 bucks each for food, shelter and someway to carry it. Keep up the good work.

[@tskfrcdgr]

oh year, just a quick hint, since i've had the survivor asym for more than a year. the fabric on mine is tougher than most, and it gets cold and holds it all night. even when it's fairly cool out it gets really cold and makes it hard to sleep. i keep two space blankets in my pack. i use a fleece blanket to sleep in the hammock. i put on emergency blanket in the wool blanket and wrap it around me and one underneath the blanket silver side up, keeps me warm down to 45 degrees

[@sintax77]

Yeah, they throw the elevation right at you, don't they? On the upside, you get the trail to yourself pretty quickly. -The dayhikers seem to prefer the flatter hike to the swimming spot near the parking lot :)

[@sintax77]

The maker of the Hennesey Hammock has some instructional videos on KZbin that I used. They are linked on the Hennessy website as well. That's what I used to get started. (Unfortunately, there aren't many close-ups and it goes fast, so be prepared to re-watch it about 10 times, lol)

[@rsfantasy14]

Sintax the long path starts in fort lee New Jersey, about five minutes from the George washing ton bridge. But for 30miles it's along a highway so the unofficial start point is in harriman state park near the New York thruway.

[@trangia12]

Thank you for sharing your trip, makes me home sick.

[@BlankChaz]

In liked when you had the camera looking looking over your shoulder down the trail. That was a view you haven't used much, and do you think you could show us what kind of local burgers you find, if they aren't the national fast food places?

[@bobbobenson7206]

Nice job man , thanks!

[@EmmanuelMachler]

Cool vid mate, I really enjoyed the adventure. Had to sub!!

[@lyndab9955]

Dude I hope u didnt miss the large plaque dedicated to the man they named that range after, John Burroughs (Writer,Naturalist), It was right below ya at the summit on the eastern face of that big rock ! Great vids and the gear reviews! Thanks!

[@cfraimondo233]

NY leanto tend to be well kept. There's a volunteer lottery system, so you get one person assigned a leanto and they take pride in keeping it up.

[@AdamCraigOutdoors]

these are a great starter hammock. bit on the heavy side as you know. i'm looking to upgrade to get my base weight down. but being in Canada it can be very $$$ to get a lighter hammock sent here. very few CAN suppliers.

[@dontaggart177]

Thanks for the packing video!

[@asiathao]

Great job!

[@BrianSniatkowski]

Cool place. My friends ad I did the same hike and probably camped very close to where you did.

[@wdinarte]

Great video dude, we just to camp at Wingdale NY same area but not the mountaing great place and good air. like you hammock. \m/

[@Standswithabeer]

good one;thanks.

[@joshnuno6060]

nice videos sintax77...very informative.

[@samualiam9981]

Just got my Safari Deluxe from Hennessey. Cant wait to try it today/night.

[@PureTazr]

Time 28.42 fell out of my chair laughing great stuff.

[@KelticAce18]

Nice video. I am just starting to get into backpacking/camping and your videos are helping out big time. For my first real trip/solo trip I am planning on heading up to the Catskills and going on my first overnight trip. WAs originally planning on picking a trail, hiking as far as I can that day, make camp, then just backtrack. Any suggestions for my first real overnight or any trail suggestions? Thanks, keep up the great vids.

[@JacobZiech]

What Cuban fiber tarp do you use for your hammock? Also, what is the weight of you sleep system? Quilts/Sleeping bag, Hammock, Bug Net, Tarp, Guy Lines, Clips, etc etc...? Im just looking to save weight and I am trying to figure out whats best. Hammocking is new"ish" to me.

[@zero11010]

It's been a couple years since you posted this. I'm guessing you've seen that you can decrease the space between the hammock and your rainfly/tarp a bit to help keep some heat in. When it's colder out, do you use a heavier sleeping bag, or do you add in an under-quilt with the existing sleeping liner you used here?

[@sintax77]

I found it on Amazon. Its a "UTG Double Rail AK Side Mount".

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

That little pad didn't survive through the upgrades over the years. I started with worse lol. I didn't backpack much at the time but I actually hauled in one of those wal mart air mattress for car camping a couple times when I did go backpacking a couple times lol.

[@dukenudibranch6414]

You are lucky to have places like this near you. I live in Kansas, and most of the trails worth backpacking don't allow camping.

[@michellehiggs5026]

Brilliant vid! Love your gear reviews. Am just setting up a hammock system HH expedition asym zip so very good to share your experiences. I'm curious about something: it's possible here in Australia we have similar laws about camping but why is it you can't camp above a certain elevation?

[@sintax77]

Michelle Higgs It's usually for environmental impact reasons. In some spots on the east coast (mostly New England), the plant life is very fragile and rare due to the unique conditions created by the high winds and lack of taller trees. That's why it's typically still okay to camp there during winter, since everything's protected by a few feet or more of snow.

[@sintax77]

No chemical treatment, just filtered. This covers just about everything excerpt for viruses, which I'm not personally concerned about using these water sources.

[@Hadd13]

That swimming hole is called the Blue hole we camp around the corner all the time but never hikes this trail so its cool to see what I can expect

[@Hadd13]

I go to that area all the time if you didn't know , 40 yards up the rd on your left is an area they call the blue hole great place to swim

[@ashevillenctrailcamera5523]

Another great one! Thx as always for sharing! Whats been your favorite cheeseburger after all these hikes?

[@Wowee2012]

You should plan a trip further west :) do some real big mountains like the 14ers in Colorado. Only bad thing is Grizzly bears and mountain lions.

[@sintax77]

Wowee2012 I'm definitely trying to do that. Just gotta plan some air travel one of these days.

[@Discraftdean]

great video.. i just did my first solo backcountry trip (3 days) at rocky mountain national park... shot about an hour of video and now just need to figure out how to edit and then it will be on youtube as well.. not even close to as good as yours :)... geeking out and patiently waiting till i have at least 2 days off in a row...

[@vintage20385]

I really enjoyed this video. On your solo trips, how do you manage the camera work and hike (safely) at the same time? You have a camera harness or other method to film and still keep your hands free? What type of camera equipment do you use? Thanks

[@sintax77]

For this video, as well as most of my footage, I simply use a hand held camera (Samsung H300) and a bit of creativity. The key feature is getting a camera with good Optical Image Stabilization.

[@MichaelDevenney]

What was that big National Geo Map? Is there a web site you ordered it from? Thanks for taking us along on your trips.

[@mattfoulk8568]

have you tested the x frame in colder temps yet? I haven't seen you do a full review yet, and I am very curious as to how well it keeps you warm in the winter. Living in Ohio, I, just like you, have to do some winter hiking and want to still keep my weight down.

[@sintax77]

Matt Foulk In the winter, I pair it with a Therm-a-rest Z-lite foam pad. I used it by itself inside my 30 synthetic for an October trip where the nighttime low was in the upper 40's or so, but I wouldn't trust it for weather that's too much colder.

[@MrBikercat]

just saw this video. where were you camping in the catskills? looks like a nice quiet spot.

[@boulder89984]

Those scrambles looked tough. How do you climb with one hand on the camera? Oh, to be young and agile again.

[@MrLboldt]

great vid. what are you using to make the video?

[@EatCarbs]

Great video.. =D

[@jaksmith6465]

Can you do a video of how you find all the information before you hike, permits, routes, parking etc .

[@sintax77]

+jak smith I probably should do a full new video on that subject, but in the mean time, check out these two that I did: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2TbYnt8lNt0qtU kzbin.info/www/bejne/pX3XmoqHnpyFfcU

[@jaksmith6465]

thank you

[@sintax77]

I can't even bring my cased and locked handgun into the state without breaking the law. I get nervous even traveling through NY, although technically it's *supposed* to be protected under federal transport laws if you're not stopping. I'm not sure if a resident concealed carry license holder could do it or not, but as non-resident, I have zero handgun rights in NY state.

[@hyunsyu]

Dude, excellent video of your hike! I'll subscribe. I live in CT and plan on doing your hike in the spring. Any issues with ticks at all? Thanks!

[@hyunsyu]

+Matthew Cole Ticks are a huge problem here in southern connecticut! They are everywhere. Zika virus is in the headlines, but the tick situation is going to become a healthcare crisis.

[@63viet]

Thanks for your great videos. I am new in camping. I want to do hammock camping for my first over night hiking trip(solo) could you tell me where did you buy you hammock system and what is the cost for the hammock?

[@sintax77]

I bought my Hennessy Expedition (Zipper Version) directly from the manufacturer, but it's usually available in all the usual online spots as well. It runs around $170 for the full system with tarp included.

[@Mike...921]

sintax77 just got mine (same as yours) a few days ago!

[@TheEdibleNipple]

I'm curious what you're using to film the video - weight, storage size, recharging...

[@RichAllfieldnohit]

23 pounds! You could float up the trail! haha! Good thing, that trail looks pretty tough. Nice view, how's the bear population up there? I'm also wondering why you can't camp above 3500 ft. Nice shelter, but yeah, it seems like cheating, doesn't it? The gear list is a great idea, we can see exactly what you're hauling. I really hate it when they post you can't camp here and you can't camp there. That's half the reason I hike is to get away from all that. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

[@ashevillenctrailcamera5523]

Sounds delicious and a cool spot.. How'd the winter solo go?