Ultralight Hammock Camping at Matagorda Beach, TX, USA
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- Опубліковано 28 гру 2024
- Ultralight backpack with confidence and comfort to places far away from city lights, to places where you are immersed in the natural world. In this episode, I spent 3 days (2 nights) at Matagorda Beach, Texas, USA, where the Colorado River empties into the Gulf of Mexico. This is a perfect location to fine-tune the pleasure of being a beach bum. All problems seem to fade away with the sound of waves gently lapping on the shore. It is one of the best birding area in the nation with 23 miles of beach and two miles of river frontage.
I fine-tuned my kit to include 1) Sterno Stove and Stanley 20 oz stainless steel pot (Sterno burns better in windy conditions than Biofuel) 2) portable still for seawater distillation, 3) Plastic 12 in ground stakes suitable for holding my hammock in the sand, 4) Commando wire saw for cutting driftwood and 5) Coldsteel Bushman knife / spear for food gathering and protection.
My fully loaded pack for this trip without food and water was 9.9 lb (4.5 kg):
Ozark Trail 28 L Atka Backpack 0.75 lb (0.34 kg)**
Nylon Ground Cloth, six Al stakes, 0.60 lb (0..27 kg)
Six 12 in plastic ground stakes, 0.49 lb (0.22 kg)
Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow 0.017 lb ( 0.08 kg)
Sterno Stove and Stanley 20 oz stainless steel pot, 1.37 lb (0.62kg)
Blue Sky Mosquito Hammock, 1.34 lb (0.61 kg)
Ozark Trail Sun Wall Tarp 6x10 ft and Cordage 1.10 lb (0.50 kg)
Dutch Tree Straps and Buckles, 0.68 lb (0.31 kg)
Medical Kit, Compass, Map, Light, 0.29 lb (0.13 kg)
AL trowel, Paper, Bug Repellent, Lighter, 0.24 lb (0.11 kg)
Coghlan’s Commando 22” wire saw 0.02 lb (0.01kg)
Battery Charger for Phone, Camera 1.21 lb (0.55 kg)
Small Tripod 1.50 lb (0.68kg)
Socks and Towels 0.38 lb (0.17 kg)
++++++++
Food for 2-1/2 days: 2 lb ( 0.91kg)
Hydration pack with 1 quart water: 2 lb (0.91 kg)
2 water bottles 2 lb (0.91 kg)
Portable still for water distillation 1.3 lb (0.59 kg)
Coldsteel Bushman knife / spear
Pocket items: flashlight, GoPro camera, Iphone 6+, keys, wallet, lighter, matches
Additional freshwater obtained from a spigot at the pier
** I do not yet have an opinion of the $19 Ozark Trail Atka Backpack; it is not as well made as my $60 Osprey Trip 20 Daypack; but it is an inexpensive option that may work for certain situations.
See Kenneth Kramm videos:
Water Distillation for Bushcraft and Survival: • Water Distillation for...
Make Primitive Spoons with Shells, Sticks and Pine Pitch: • Make Primitive Spoons ...
Videography by Ken Kramm, Matagorda Beach, Texas, USA, 30 August - 1 September 2016; Iphone 6+, GoPro HERO4 Silver, Final Cut Pro X, GoPro Studio.
“Bad Ideas_clean, Supernatural, Bassa Island Game Loop, Beach Party,
Chee Zee Beach-Latinesque” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons:
By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons...
Full list of royalty-free, including ISRC codes: incompetech.co...
Bad Ideas_ clean ISRC: USUAN1100489
Supernatural ISRC: USUAN1100397
Bassa Island Game Loop ISRC: USUAN1100840
Beach Party: ISRC: USUAN1100613
Chee Zee Beach-Latinesque: ISRC: USUAN1100686
“Solo Acoustic #3 (2:06)" Jason Shaw (Audionautix.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Unported License
That time lapse was beautiful.
There is nothing more beautiful than Texas beaches. One thing you are guaranteed to see growing in Texas is wild sunflowers and gourd vine everywhere. Thank you Ken for sharing your awesome beach adventure with us. Now I am homesick again, lol...
Thanks for watching and taking time to comment. Glad you enjoyed the video... ken
You truly are the "Mr Rogers" of the wilderness and it is awesome!
Thanks!
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Every time I watch one of your videos I have to ask myself why I don’t campout more often. The weather where your at isn’t too different than ours in Central Florida.
Camping on the beach, my idea of Heaven, Thank you for sharing Ken!
I had a blast! Thanks for watching and taking time to comment
Wow! how fortunate to find 7 straight sticks, all the same length, in a straight line just in front of your camp site. You sir are definitely FOS! Great video!
A glorious stretch of beach ... nice that it is accessible for such low key adventures. That caracara was magnificent. Now, the downside was seeing, despite the provided receptacles, how many trash items were left on the elevated walkway. I will never understand how someone witnessing all that beauty can proceed to mar it with their garbage. So your demonstrations of picking up litter where you wander remains one of the most important things about your videos. Thanks, Ken.
Its a beautiful place. On the good side, the father I go down the beach, the less trash...
Random Button Pusher dreeee
Still watching and loving your videos Ken. The sunrise and sunsets were fabulous. I know your heart was happy watching those.
Yes, it was very relaxing and peaceful...Thanks for watching and commenting my friend. ...ken
Once again you presented us with another great camp.Thanks Ken. ZZ.
You're welcome ZZ. ...ken
Wonderful Saturday morning viewing! Thanks Ken.
You're welcome my friend...
Thanks for responding, I will study the video more closely. Keep up the good work, it is a great pleasure for me to see a mature person like myself keeping on with adventures
It's fun to get outside; being older I walk slower and carry less than I did as a kid, and appreciate the beauty of nature even more...
Each installment gets better and better! What a Beautiful area!
Looking forward to more adventure!
Take care -Chris
Thanks Chris...
Thanks, Ken! Great video...as always...Look forward to more, God bless...
You're welcome Kees
Nice video Ken. Thank You for helping clean up and sharing!
You're welcome Joe.
Thank you for another great video series, Dr. Kramm.
Thanks Don.
It's so nice to watch and hear your wonderous stories. Congrats!
thanks rogerio
Loved the night video with the Stars.... very relaxing.
Thanks steve.
Hi Ken I enjoyed the video. Very peaceful and calming to watch.
So nice to see someone picking up trash. Great job on the video
I so love your videos no hollering just like talking to a friend ,, and we learn so much beautiful scenery,,the night vids with the Stars going by are so amazing ,,,mornings like having coffee with a ole friend thanks. So much ,,,,the still to convert salt water to drinking water was amazing is it the steam that makes the water tell us it works please thanks Ken they would be run off you can't sleep under the pier lol ah you must have known some one there just so set on there no ,s have a great. Week ,,Rose until next time
That has to be the one thing I don't see in Germany trash every where.Great editing and video Ken .I'm glad you back doing videos again,I agree with the above post, you are
Mr Rogers Ken of Bushcraft and survival!
I"m glad you don't have the same trash problem that we have in the USA. Thanks for watching and commenting from Germany. ....ken
Great video Ken. Looks like you really enjoyed it. Great sunsets and sunrises.
Peace
Yes, I had an awesome time.
Wonderful and interesting video Ken! Very pleasant to watch!
Thanks!
another fantastic video. easy and relaxing music.thanks
You're welcome my friend. ...ken
Always love watching your videos!
Thanks Jamie.
awesome video ken, truly spectacular sunrises and sunsets, what a way to spend afew days on the beach, cheers craig
Thanks Craig. Happy camping my friend. ...ken
The time lapse part of the night was outstanding and the music was wonderful!
Thanks!
Amazing video, some really beautiful scenes. Thanks!
You're welcome Chris
I've been to Matagorda once before, it is truly a beautiful area. so quiet and peaceful, not a whole lot of people, lots of birds. I've always wanted to go back again, and now after your video i want to even more! haha! thanks so much for sharing your adventure!!! :)
You will enjoy the adventure. It's a beautiful beach; but use plenty of insect repellent. The mosquitoes are hungry this year!!!
Thank you for your time uploading and sharing your experience and knowledge of the great outdoors !!!!
👍🇺🇸
Wow! Worth the wait :) Excellent beach adventure and stewardship Sir! :)
Thanks Steve!
Stunning footage, great video thanks for sharing,
thanks
Wow thank you for the share and I enjoy another video
You're welcome my friend....
Fantastic view! Thank you for sharing.
You're welcome
I always enjoy watching your videos
Thanks!
Another Ken classic. Great film editing too!
Thanks my friend. Much appreciated ...ken
Great Video Sir. I really enjoy your night time videos...
Thank You for the inspiration to Pack it out!!
Thanks for another enjoyable video!!
You're welcome Lee. You're feedback means a lot to me. ...ken
A pleasure to watch as always, thanks for taking us along :)
You're welome Margaret. ATB, Ken
After watching your videos for so long, I finally bought a lightweight hammock. Things went pretty well, but the full-size thermarest I used under me was a bit of a pain. I am proud though, that I managed to hang the hammock correctly the first time, and didn't wind up on the ground.
Awesome Clint. Enjoy your new hammock.
Wonderfull video, stars and sunrise, cool.
Thanks!
I like to imagine my Dad and I camping on this exact site, been gazillions of times. He's been gone prolly ten or so years, but for me he's always just around the next dune. Glad you could join on this trip, Ken---welcome.
Hi AnnBear. Awesome. You put a big smile on my face. I can imagine the two of you at the next dune. Thank you for watching and taking time to comment. It means a lot to me. Take care, Ken
I'm in Harlingen near South Padre and this is something I've wanted to do. Thanks for sharing.
Very well done Kenneth!
Peace to you brother. Awesome sunsets and star fields. Good job on the trash pickup, to bad more people don't follow your example. Appreciate your wok Ken. atb Opal
Thanks Opel. I'm glad you like the video. Your feedback means a lot to me. ...ATB, Ken
I have one of the Stanley cooking cups . Love it just big enough to cut weigh and fix a nice meal in .
welcome to my neck of the beach brother! stay safe, and yes sir you can camp out year round!
Thanks Alan. Yes, year round camping on the beach!
I knew Walmart jipped me lol mine didn’t come with the lid . Awesome video man, great example of treeless hammocking
very peacefull video,just chilling
My favorite thing to do....
The GoPro video is so clear! Great job
Thanks David.
Ken, you always find the nicest places to go camping. I have a beach spot I go to on occasion, but only in late fall and early spring. Those times when the sand flies are hibernating, but the weather isn't cold enough to need a fire. Sadly, beach camping is illegal here in Alabama, but I do it anyway, just leave no traces.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Glad you are able to camp stealth on local beaches. Come to Texas where beach camping is legal...
Wow. Just a masterfully made video.... So many perfect shots, but the night time lapse was spectacular and the shot toward the end with the sun framed by the pier was pure perfection. In one word: Inspiring.
(Buti I did vote for you to set up the hammock over the water in the last scene.)
As always, nice, captivating and interesting video.
Thanks my friend. ATB, Ken
Thats really awesome. Beautiful colours and compositions! It was a joy to be there with you :)
Thanks - Martin
You're welcome Martin. Glad you could join the adventure. ...ken
Awesomely nice video, and well done too.
Looks fantastic!
😄👍
I have been watching your videos for years now, but that video was by far the most beautiful cinematography you have shot yet. keep up the great work!
thanks. much appreciated....
Nicely done. Thanks for cleaning up, that's leading by example. - Mike
You're welcome.
Great video Ken, wonderful, very nice :-))
Thanks, atb Brummer
much appreciated...ken
great video, awesome views! I really enjoyed this one my friend. Thank you for taking us along. peace be with you
You're welcome my friend.
This video is nothing short of phenomenal. Thanks for bringing us along. Subbed.
Thanks Nicholas. Much appreciated. Next week I'll release a second video about ultralight camping on the beach. Hope you like it too.... ken
I enjoy your videos very much. I notice you are getting better and better at filming. The night time lapse is one of the coolest shots I've ever seen. Might I use that clip for non-commercial purposes, please?
Yes, you may use the clip for non-commercial purposes. Please provide credit and a link to my UA-cam Channel.
Thanks! Much appreciated.
That's a beautiful place .
Great video ken, keep up the great work
Thanks for watching and taking time to comment
awesome trip.. i am sure I will plan my fishing camp to Matagorda . may I try my fat tire bicycle thru the beach and camp somewhere
you nailed it again. loved it thanks for sharing. 1 question if I may.
how do u do your time lapse.
via
picture or videos. they are amazing.
if picture what setting do u use. thanks Ken.
Thanks!
Just found your channel sucks that you will not be posting for a while. I will be subscribing .. just to be sure that when you do come back I will be able to see what great adventure you head to next. Peace and God bless!
I will be back .... just need a little time off to recharge
Kenneth that is really something that you pick up all those peoples trash. Why people do this is beyond me. Especially in such a incredible place. I mean really a beach like this with wild life like this wow. I think of you as a bit of a John Muir. Great job. One day you need I come out where I live in Monterey California to the big sand dunes and incredible sloughs and the big redwood trees.
Thanks. I grew up in California. and agree that the Monterey is special. Truly awesome....ken
He's giving back .
very peaceful thank you.
You're welcome
Great video. glad I found your Channel
Thanks Steven.
I used to go off-roading in those dunes during the 70's. Oh well, times change. What I remember about Matagorda beach were the Mosquitoes.
Great video Ken - one of the best.
In this country I think if I were to try camping under a pier like that I would be told by some 'official' to move on. Shame.
Noel
Thanks Noel. Beach camping is legal in Texas and I'm glad police patrol the areas to help keep it safe....
amazing images !
Thanks!
Nice camp Kenneth! Looks enjoyable!
Thanks. I had a blast....ken
Fantastic vid Kenneth, great views, hoping to do some hammocking in future😁 Will
Thanks Will
Great video Ken
Thanks Dan
What a gorgeous location! This so much made me regret missing my window at Cape San Blas last spring, school and work just keeps getting in the way. Hopefully I can make it this fall after Voo2, One thing you could help me w/and what I have been thinking about a lot is what type of stakes works best in sugar sand. This was a fantastic and beautiful video Ken. The editing and product is superb. TC/SS - Stanley
thanks for watching stanley. long stakes are best in sand. the plastic ones i used at the beach worked ok..
Another great video. Lovely place. The time lapse footage was particularly nice. Atb from neil in scotland.
man you really fun every where you my friend, i bet sand was in every crevice it could find ,,lol. thanks for a awesome video , i sure wish i could be there hanging in my hammock. well it won't be long now and we can have another adventure , i sure can't wait for it.
peace ken.
..bill
I'm smiling bill. Yes, sand was everywhere, in every crevice. I want to go back as soon as I can. This next time, I will take advantage of the sand, and shape a bed, complete with back rest. I want to sleep on the sand and use it for protection. Waiting for the weather to improve, however. Don,'t want to wake up when a wave spaces over me. ...ke
thank you for sharing
I went there every weekend when I lived in the area. It's a great beach. One question Ken...that gulf water probably contains some petroleum distillates which can be very harmful to drink. I hope you are allowing a few minutes of boiling your water first without saving it. Also gotta say that nighttime time lapse was amazing!
Yes, I always through out the first water that comes from the still.... Good point. This linked video on the still (demonstrated on Padre Island) describes details on it's use and explains the importance of throwing out the first distillates.
Hey Ken, really enjoying the series. I know you aren't ready to give a recommendation on the ATKA but you've mentioned a few times a lack of internal support being a deficit. Does your Osprey Trip 20 suffer from the same problem? I've been looking at that model and their Daylite series and wonder if the exterior hydration portion provides any support or if the foam/mesh isn't substantial enough to make any appreciable difference. Thanks again.
great question The osprey trip 20 has a slightly better "stiffening" with ventilation areas. It also has places to hold water bottles. Weather or not this makes an appreciable difference is the question. My answer is, "it depends." If it is very hot/humid, any ventilation makes a difference. If you are carrying a heavy load (10 pounds or more), theTrip 20 is diffidently better balanced. Also, the hip belts make a difference. The small size of the trip 20 is the biggest problem for overnight camping. Both packs weigh less than one pound when empty.
Ken, what stakes did you use on that first set up that will hold in the sand? Are you sure that isn't a mini moonshine still you're carrying? :)
plastic 12 inch stakes from walmart. It would make a good moonshine still if I started with wine or some other fermented beverage. ATB, Ken
Can't believe you found that many driftwood planks to set up the tarp. I usually hit the beach further south and never find much driftwood and none of that size. What would you do if it was not there? I have seen you set up with 2 walking sticks but they are not in your pack.
I brought with me one walking stick that was shaped to hold a. cold steel bushman spear tip. (Demonstrated in previous videos on my channel). The other sticks I found on the beach, but cut them to size. If I did not find sufficient driftwood, I would have used my hammock as a comfortable bivvy. Stay tuned for the next episode.
Your destillery for backpacking is just amazing!! - I am sure it won't take long unti you get into UL whiskey production on the trail :o)
Best greetings to you, Tim
Thanks Tim, you put a smile on my face. ...ken
great video my friend. i hate when i see trash laying around. way to go.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Your feedback means a lot to me. I sure wish people would stop leaving their trash. I just don't understand it.... ..ken
it drives me crazy to Kenneth. my wife, little girl, and i went hiking a few times together over the summer, and it seemed everywhere you turned there were plastic bottles and cans everywhere. hopefully i have set a positive example for my daughter, and she passes it along as well..
Thanks for another wonderful video Ken. The night lapse was fantastic BUT I noticed that some of the stars don't move? I guess you must have overlaid a still image? I'm not sure but it defied physics:))
Glad you had an enjoyable time by the sea. SOmetimes it is nice to experience the wide expanse and vistas that the coast offers.
Seems to put me into perspective. We are all like ants:)
Peace
Sandy
Excellent observation Sandy. Yes some of the objects that looked like "stars" did not move. These white spots were also visible on the ground. I am not sure what they are, perhaps dust, or some artifact of the camera. I tried to make them disappear in post production, but without success. I didn't use an overlay. I've looked closely at my other night-lapse gopro videos and see the same artifacts. Peace, Ken
how did you capture the video with the stars? that was amazing.
GoPro HERO4 Silver in "Nightlapse" mode. See my preview videos on "Taking Stunning Night Sky Videos" for instructions and camera settings.
Really liked this video 👍
Thanks Don
Do you find the Dutch straps easier on your fingers? I see there are several kinds, can you tell us exactly which ones you chose and also just to let you know I love armchair travelling with you, much appreciated
Sorry, I don't remember the name or number. It may be possible to match the item by looking at the video and matching them with the item. The materials list below the video shows the name/description that was on the receipt.
Hi Stephanie, I found the receit. Yeah!! I used the following Dutch items:
LOD00.35 Tree Straps - 3000 Pound (pair).
MUS062. Titanium Cinch Buckle (pair).
thanks Ken, I am just beginning with a hammock and find there is son much variation in the set up. It will be an interesting process to explore it all
I really love your videos. I just wonder why you hang your hammocks in such a flat angle. Wouldn't it reduce the tension on the material quite a lot to hang it with more sag? And in addition to that, I have also heard from many people that they find hammocks more comfortable when they hang them with more sag. However, another great video like always.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Glad you like my videos. Your comment is very frequent among the hammock hanging community.. The way I hang my hammock and sleep in it is perfect for my old body with severe spinal stenosis and bone spurs. I have tried many different angles with more sag and I like the way I do it. I am familiar with the supposed best angle being 30 degrees. This"approve sag" and laying cross-ways is awful for me. I wake up with my shoulders hurting, arms and feet numb with the "approved" angle, which is sometime called the "correct way" to hang a hammock. It is not "correct" for me. Bone spurs and spinal stenosis sometimes cause my spinal cord to swell if I sleep in the wrong position. It is extremely painful, make it difficult to walk or sit.
Thank you, Kenneth, for coming back to me in all detail. These are, of course, more than enough reasons to do it your way! I like your non-dogmatic approach to my question. This is something that not all folks in hammock forums share. Thank you very much for commenting back. And happy trails and openness to the surrounding nature. Michael
You're welcome Michael. Sometimes folks believe there is only one way to do things. My experience demonstrates that nothing is better than "dirt time" where you test things for yourself and find out what works best for you. Different situations require different solutions. I'm always learning and always improving. Ken
Wow Ken! That was awesome!!! I tried sleeping on a beach twice... Well hidden, but still awakened in the night by double flashlights aimed at me by law enforcement, who explained to me it was against the local law where I was. You mentioned you spoke with a Sheriff. Did you use your charm to get permission, (because I know you can ;-) or can anybody do what you did? Sure did look fun! Thanks for sharing!!!!!
----Chris
Yes, camping on the beach is permitted in Matagorda Co. Driving a vehicle in the beach is also permitted with a permit. However you need a 4WD. I talked with the sheriff about safety and weather conditions with storm surges. He reassured me that I would be safe... And to call 911 if I got into problems..
Mother Earth Says "thank you "🤗
Do you have any numbers on the desalinator? It looked to be pouring at a good rate :)
You have to be one of the coolest guy I subscribe to love your videos always brings a smile to my face many thanks, Hip Hip
Thanks!
Life is good!
I've found the mosquitos at Matagorda to be intolerable around dusk. Did the wind on the beach keep them down?
Yes, the mosquitoes were bad, especially near vegetation. There were fewer on the beach. Also, I used plenty of repellent. The bug net on hammock helped a lot.
my wife bought one red flashlights I like it! how much fuil did burn on your trip? ken nice vid
very little fuel. didn't measure it..
did you use more than one can?
Good stuff Ken. Question, what are you using to power your GoPro for the night lapse. Thanks!
I used an Anke external battery charger.
I thought farm fresh eggs (unwashed/processed) could be kept for days w/o the fridge even w/o the olive oil. Am I wrong?
You are correct, if the chickens are healthy. I purposely made a conservative statement, because in the USA, many eggs sold in grocery stores are labeled "farm fresh," when in fact their origin is unknown. If you don't wash eggs after they are laid, the natural coating, protects them from the air. In the USA, the usually practice is to wash eggs.
Ken, are you using about an inch of hardware cloth as a riser on the Sterno stove? I enjoyed the video as usual!
I'm smiling. Yes, hardware cloth can easily be cut into a riser to make a sterno stove. Thanks for mentioning. I plan to make a video on how to make this simple stove.
Great to hear. Thanks!
how is it you managed to find 6 sticks exactly the same size?