Fist fulla firsts'

[MattySF]

I took off Friday after work to have my first sub24 of the year in the Marin Headlands across from San Francisco. My destination Hawk Camp. Just about a 15mile round trip.

First time using the Relevate Designs harness and pocket.


Fist night photo of the Goldengate.


First time night riding the fireroads in the headlands and using the Nightrider Moab in a true country side setting.


First time seeing the coast range newt.


First time using the can stove.



First time pitching the tarp as a shelter. Fist time not tying junk knots. Thanks to all here for inspiration and links that taught me how to tye a taunght line hitch knot.





First night in the bivy. Stayed cozy and slept in unti 9am (another first).



Hawk Camp, Marin Headlands , CA



Gerbode Valley viewed from Hawk camp.



Leaving camp



Climb back up to Bobcat trail.



Far from any of the many epic trips I love reading about on this site. This is what is available in my backyard so I visit it often.

I hope you enjoyed it too.

[Area45]

Awesome! Look up Emathy here. He camps up there too!

[Marshal]

love that 1st picture-- urban but with a cool bikepacking trip lurking

looks like you set up is well packed out for so many 1st's

[12wheels]

Nice. Thanks for sharing.  You must have done everything right if you were able to sleep comfortably until 9:00.

[6thElement]

Great stuff.
I've been considering tarp setups, is that the REI bivi?

[MattySF]

Thanks. Much of my 1st time sucess I owe to the members of this site.
It is the REI bivy.
I probally could just use it alone and been ok. But with rain lurking in last Saturady's forcast and wanting to try pitching a tarp I used both.
I found the bivy comfortable. I did get some condesation in the foot (very little) but, being 5'5" + the DWR in the sleeping bag I never felt damp.

[MattySF]

Nice. Thanks for sharing.  You must have done everything right if you were able to sleep comfortably until 9:00.

You are welcome. No alarm clock and a 7 year old not jumpimg on me really helped my sleeping in.

[MattySF]

love that 1st picture-- urban but with a cool bikepacking trip lurking

looks like you set up is well packed out for so many 1st's

Thanks. It took me a few shoots to get the palace of fine arts (the illuminated dome) not blocked by the bikes gear.
This was taken from the bike path above crissy field going to the goldengate bridge.

[THE LONG RANGER]

Nice tarp idea with using your wheel to get some elevation in the tarp to put things under, uh like yourself! How's bivvy sleeping? I've gotten "lost" in the REI bivvy attempting to wake up, before

[MattySF]

Nice tarp idea with using your wheel to get some elevation in the tarp to put things under, uh like yourself! How's bivvy sleeping? I've gotten "lost" in the REI bivvy attempting to wake up, before

I could sit up under the tarp. Most of the elevation is from my post just being short on a reg. basis. stumpy little legs o'mine. I though about raising the seat post but, didn't even know if I could pitch the tarp on the first try and it was pitch dark, hungry, thirsty for beer, etc.
I did burrow into the bivy and sleeping bag had to tunnel out in the morning to find the light.
This is probally how I got condensation. I will do it again.

[ScottM]

Great post and photos!  I think it's a fist fulla steel though, any Rage along for the trip? 

[MattySF]

Ha, funny Scott. I do have that rage album though.. on cassette, also Anthrax's Fist full of Metal, dang I must be old.
Shoot I still use a Sony sports disc player my wife bought me for our first anniversary. I just find tunes to be a luxury I leave behind.
I seem to be the only person without an Ipod in house. I better join the club.
Thanks for the compliments.