On my first ever solo trip I arrived exhausted at Hanson’s Point in Red River Gorge. So beautiful. 30 minutes later an entire youth group- maybe 20 teens and their group leaders- showed up. Clearly there was a shorter trail to get there, lol!!! Anyway, they started setting up camp WITH me!! People. 🙄 It was not a situation where you make reservations. Still, I said the same thing as you- put my pack back on, and found another spot about a half mile down the trail. Turns out there are a lot of spots up there, which I discovered when I went to the lookout at the end, and I should have gone further. I could still hear them, but Hanson’s Point is so beautiful, it didn’t matter!! That lookout is the perfect place for dinner and morning coffee!!! They must not have been aware of the lookout, because I had it all to myself.

If the vibe is weird.. I would just listen my intuition. Many times outdoor people are the best but the same time .. they say its not the animals but the people you need to pay attention. I love hammocks also .. especially when hiking alone. When its setup correctly its a 5 star sleep for sure :) Those ending words were full of wisdom. Beautiful video Gordon 🙏🏻

I had interactions some what similar camping. All of these happened a flat area in a switch back 1/4 way down a mesa in a National Forest. Event 1, two side by sides pulled into my well established campsite between my tent, wash basin and latrine and ask “Can me and a my friends enjoy the view for a moment?” I responded “No, problem” well 45min to an hour later the 8 or 9 ATVs with about 15 to 18 individuals milling around my campsite hadn’t left! I politely stated, I have somethings to tend to and after implicitly stating I need to “go to the latrine” they left. Event 2, I watched a “Train” of ATVs pass my camp site but then did not see them or hear them progress down the switchback. Went to back side of the site where my latrine is located and noticed 8 or so guys milling around coming up the hill. I thinking “What are these guys up to” until I noticed the kids and “wives” standing by the ATVs and the guys walking behind some bushes …. They caught sight of me and I think they decided that the backside of someone’s campsite was not a good place to “make a pit stop” 🙄! This last intervention was actually the first. I has set up camp and thought I heard something large and thought I caught a glimpse of something large and black out the corner of my eye.. I thought “Black Bear?!?” Well no about 5 min later 3 cows camp wondering into the campsite.

Duuuuuuude that sucks those people showed up... but that is very nice of you to let them have it and move on. Great video! And I've definitely spent the night at those shelters before. The only "intruders" I had were some turkeys haha

Great video. Thanks for taking us along. About the people that invaded your spot. I guess it would depend on their attitude. I wouldn't want to stay around strangers for the night. You can't never tell. It looks like it worked out.

The USMC ILBE is still an outstanding backpacking pack (based off the Arc'teryx Bora). Obviously, bombproof and heavy but still the most comfortable pack I've ever had over many packs and many years. Beat out Eberlestocks and other brands for me. Mine is heavily modified to be lighter. Still going strong despite rubbing up against massive boulders, launched off mountain sides... They were our issued packs back in the Marines 2005 but got a bad wrap because they weren't designed to work well with body armor on. Them came in the FILBE packs to remedy that situation. As long as you're not wearing plates, it's perfect. There is viable and good milsurp gear out there if you know what's good.

Great video Gordon! I really loved this more relaxed, go with the flow style! I also love that you are showing how beautiful Wisconsin can be!

Another awesome video!! I myself love and only use hammocks for camping, it's the best sleep I've ever gotten! And that military pack , well I don't have that exact one but I do have the next one they issued! It's the same pattern but has the big plastic outside frame with two large bags on the sides! Thanks for the enjoyment of your trip!!!

Great video, Gordon. I would have relocated, too. I like how you took the time to show a useful knot and how you set up your hammock and net.

The best part of the IAT is that you get to see everything twice 🙂 At least maybe that's a good thing.

You did the right thing. I might have tried to press the point, hoping they would leave. Even though you may have been frustrated by those intruders, your decision to leave allowed you to have a better campsite and spot for breakfast. Glad it worked out for you. Great video content and quality filming. Very relaxing! Well done!

The adventure is the most important part for sure!

I’m envious of your easy going frame of mind in that situation. It would have eaten away at me for hours. But I probably would have done the same thing you did. Great video…that hammock setup looked great.

Mainstream hiking channels don't talk enough about how comfortable hammocks are. As much as I love my durston tent, I will take my blackbird whenever possible.

Just found your channel. I'm from portage so I am pretty familiar with the ice age trail. It does suck that its not a continuous trail. I also enjoy hitting up devil's lake for day hikes probably going today actually. 👍

ive ran into other people before it really depends on the feeling you get, if theyre gonna be up later then you intend, louder, or just any other mismatch in styles i'll leave but sometimes they'll click and we can hang out

Still looked like a gorgeous trip !

Looked up the length and width of your hammock from your link. If you’re 5ft 7 or taller that’s too small for you.

You did the best thing, because these days you don’t want to get into a scuffle over a campsite especially if they are armed! But if you are still pissed off about it, you could have reported them to the Ranger station and let them worry about while you’re in your new campsite!😂

Looks like you don’t have a 30 degree angle on your hammock hang. There’s not enough “sag” to be comfortable. I have a lot of hammocks including the grand trunk. Unless you are huge or found an xs grand trunk it should fit most people.

I have arrived at my reserved campsite once to find a guy and his young son already set up. If it werent for him having his kid there i would have told him to kick rocks. He explained he was simply at the wrong campsite and had actually reserved a different spot but couldnt find it. So i took his campsite and let him stay setup bc of his kid. You let those two douche bags punk you out. Theres no way i would have packed up and left my RESERVED spot. Hunters or no hunters, i carry protection too...

Curious - are you only able to camp and/or have a fire at shelters on the ice age trail? I think you made the best decision to move on, but I would have probably looked for a stealthier spot if that is allowed.

LOL I'll just camp with you mate😅😅 I don't know how people are able to sleep in hammocks, my back would turn into the shape of banana in the morning 🍌

You were gracious to move. Society seems filled with people who just do whatever they want, impervious to the rules. A good takeaway though, which you highlighted, is that whenever one door closes, another always seems to open. Without the two ne'er-do-wells, you wouldn't have had the oatmeal log experience.

Must have been city boys lol

Cool video!! But that is not an ALICE pack that pack is part of the MOLLE 2 series, 3 day assault pack.

Honestly......unless they had kids. I would have made them leave. 💯

So many folks have this idea in SHTF that they'll escape to the woods and "hide" there... I'm an avid outdoorsman my entire life. I'm always out in the back mountains in the most remote and rural areas of PA Appalachia (also rural back mountains NC, rural coastal SC). Off trail. Bushwacking. There SHOULD be no one out there... ... yet, somehow, someone ALWAYS manages to find me or cross paths with me. It defies explanation. But there they are.... asking me for water, lighters, etc... it's like a running joke at this point. There is NO "hiding" in the lower 48 anymore. I don't care how remote and rural you are. Which boggles the mind because the US is huge. You can fit the entire population of the world comfortably into the state of Texas.... yet, some-frikin-how... people are there. They find you. Always. I guess the only time that doesn't happen is when your legitimately in danger and need someone to find you lol.

You got punked by some punks...I gotta Yank your man card... kidding i wouldn't of been so generous

If they had steaks & bourbon, they can stay. Maybe should’ve asked what they were cooking.

This is what a knife is for🤡