Dina,
5 different stands! Wow. I used to like climbers but I love my hang ons with Rapid Rails...
Speaking of cold.. I remember livin in MT and at 24 degrees BELOW zero,, but dry, and it wasn't as "cold" as it feels at 30 degrees back here in damp air!!! You can put on all the clothes in the world and not feel warm when it's damp!
Last year, buddy Carl and I bit at the huge sport show in H-burg, PA and bought some of the morrino (sp?) wool undies..wow! They claim it won't stink if you take it off right as you get home and let it air out.. I tried it... it works! Really great stuff. We have the lightweight and at 16 degrees, I was pretty ok w/o a lot of layers.
I agree with those above that wind must be stopped to stay warm. I know Windstopper is a Gore product so I've avoided it a) cause that name costs more and b) goretex makes noise. My info is that Windstopper is the Gortex w/o the tape over seams to ensure water proof-ness... I don't like noisy clothing in the cold.
I've used comfortmax and it's pretty quiet and works well... just don't exert... it don't let no water vapor (sweat)out, but that stuff about Gortex allowing your "vapor" escape must be for ladies, cause I sweat big time in Gortex...
I'm sure others here will have had other experiences w/ varied products and Gore stuff to balance my opinion.
Seven minutes on the ground, huh? Sounds like a record of some sort! Especially considering all you had to get "through" to get ...well, y'know what I mean, Sis.
Pics are great. Looks like incredible country in which to hunt. Wow! But like we've been warning you... don't expect repeats!
bucks especially know when you can't shoot em! Critters got that 6ths sense! You're young...you can live on them memories for a few decades now...