1st DIY Hammock!!!

Some Pics of my 1st DIY Hammock.
It was a project I wanted to do for some time. After too much deliberation, I finally just jumped in and did it.
The finished result was everything i imagined. Comfortable, flat lay, good views, not too much sag at head or foot. I'll post some more specs if anyone is interested. Here are some pics....

I made it to the AT. I finally packed up the Trail Magic Packages and headed in to intercept passing thru hikers. I took my hammock and traveled along the AT to the Byrd's Nest #3 overnight hut. The day was perfect and had some stunning views along the trail.

I made my way to the shelter and had a bit of a snack. I hung my hammock off at the camping area and proceeded to clean the hut for the night's hikers that might stop and rest for the evening. I then took a leisurely hang and enjoyed the weather.

Later on I unpacked the Magic Packages and assembled them for their pick-up. I filled in the registry book and left a message for the next 10 thru hikers to help themselves to a container of treats.

Shortly after reading the previously sketched entries, and adding one of my own, a couple of thru hikers made it into the shelter. They had started their trek mid March in Georgia and were on the six month pace to finish in Maine. They were followed by a second couple of hikers and a large German Sheppard. They all took a rest and chatted about their trip thus far. The original pair had mentioned they saw their first bear siting not more than a mile back on the trail. The same one I had traveled to get to the hut.

These thru hikers then collected their packages and again proceeded down the trail to get a few more miles in for the day. I then took the remaining packages and left them neatly along with the registry book on the fire place mantle. Hoping the next batch of hikers would find them and put their contents to good use.
Project delivered, now hopefully in the months to come, I might receive word and pics of their journey after we parted ways. The AT is a truly beautiful experience to be had!

6 oz. of Trail Magic

I wanted to create a small gift package for the Thru Hikers of the Appalachian Trail. At the time, I was learning how to build my own alcohol stoves. So I thought I could provide a package that would give a hiker one extra meal and/or beverage that they didn't have calculated between re-supplies.

All cans, containers and items were collected from friends, family and co-workers. Condiments we collected from vacation and business trips, restraunt visits, etc. In all, purchased goods for the project only totalled $2.73 per package. A small price to pay for the amount of joy I hope to provide to some weary treckers.

I would like to thank EVERYONE who thought to collect and deliver these recyclable products for me to work with! Without your help I could have never finished this project in time to intercept the thru hikers.

I took the YouTube academy of stove building. I also ordered stoves from the likes of Tinny at MBDC and Zelph Stoves to try and reverse engineer what they had done. I found time after work, in the early morning hours, on weekends and such to build one stove at a time over a couple month period.

The finished stove. At a later point I began building stoves out of the V8 Fusion cans. They use a heavier gauge aluminum and seem to operate better and are more durable. Still, the Red Bull stove work just the same.

Ok... the "sales pitch" portion. I individually boil tested each stove before placing it in the completed pile. I did not want to deliver a package with a possible fire hazard or defective unit. I used 2 cups of 70-ish degree water in either the 12cm or 10 cm IMUSA Pot. One oz. of fuel brought the water to the rolling boil you see above in anywhere between 7 to 10 minutes. All boils had fuel to spare at the end.

I had bought a new scale and played around with different package items. I had just begun to cut weight and head down the "gram weenie" trail in my gear selection, so it helped in my learning process. In all, I could not pack more than 8 oz of goods reasonably within the container. I settled for the 6 oz package for its items and for hopes that the hikers wouldn't scoff at the idea of adding weight to their already taxing burden.

I included a short message to insert into the package. I wanted the hiker to know where this package came from and what it was all about. I also thought, over the duration of the  project, that if they enjoyed the stove and items, then hopefully they would share that experience in word and/or picture form of the journey.

Project Complete!
It has taken some time, but it has been worth every step. My step-daughter and I finally completed the packages and are ready to deliver them next weekend.
Each package has the items pictured above:

(1) Recycled Parmesan Cheese Container
(1) DIY Alcohol Stove
(2 0z) of Fuel (stored in 5 hr energy container)
(2) Match Books
(2) Starbucks Coffee Packs
(2) KoolAid Drink Packs
(1) Wet Nap
(1) Condiment Package (sugar, creamer, stirrer, etc.)
(2) Salt & (2) Pepper packets
(1) pack of Orbit Gum
(1) pack of 2 Colgate Wisp toothbrushes

In all, this has been a fun project and I can see creating similar packages for hikers in the future. I hope this gift of trail magic brings joy to those who receive it, and it sparks a want for others to do a simple act of random kindness for their fellow hikers and campers. I wish everyone a pleasant trip to the Great Outdoors!

ToHa