Hammocks anyone?

“I have been contemplating bringing a hammock instead of a tent this summer. They are making them pretty nice lately and feel they deserve a closer look. What do y'all think?”

“I dont know on that hammoc stuff,when i was a kid a guy brought one of thoes old army jungle hammocks on a campout,we got jelous and burned him out.!!”

“I'm all about hammocks, I spent an entire summer sleeping in one when I worked at Philmont. I carried one of those thick space blankets to use as a tarp over it and stayed dry as can be through some pretty nasty thunderstorms. Most of the time when you get wet in a tent its because water comes in through the floor. This takes that away. You don't need a fancy hammock either, I was using a $10 nylon cheapie from KMart. We were at altitude so bugs weren't really a problem either, I never used mosquito netting.”

“Ranger ive got one of thoes things in my closet, watch out itl dump your arse.”

“I toss and turn alot and like to sleep on me belly. I think they are nice under a shade in the backyard but on the trail I wonder. They look neat but I wonder how well they will protect you from the hard side rains and the bugs. Plus your body never really lays flat so your spine will always have a bend in it that may lead to some back pains. I like a firm, flat bedding surface. And what happens when a buddy plays a trick on you and throws you for a loop.

I guess you can bring a big tarp for more protection but then that is adding extra wieght.”

“Briar, your friends don't sound very nice.

You can get those old jungle hammock set-ups cheap from the Sportsmen's Guide catalogue. I don't think I would trust myself to sleep still enough to keep from flippin' out of the thing. We do take a hammock, little, nylon thing, on trips just to kick back and relax in. It's a trick getting into the thing. Sometimes I think my husband packs it just for sheer entertainment! :0)”

“Hamhocks -n- Pinto Beans

Ingredients

3 smoked hamhocks
2 lbs. dried pinto beans
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon hot sauce
1/2 medium chopped onion

Directions

Boil hamhocks on high heat for 45 minutes. Add all seasonings except hot sauce and onion. Continue boiling for 20 minutes. Add pinto beans, hot sauce, and onion. Boil on medium heat until beans are done to taste.

Note: To speed up cooking of beans and reduce the gas beans produce, soak beans in cold water overnight or for three hours during the day. Flatulence-licious!

I just reread the title of this thread...."hammocks" not "hamhocks"! Oops!”

“Weather permitting sleeping in hammock is great. I still take a tent for the horizontal rain. The light weight hammock do not add much weight. I use it for a chair & to store gear off the ground. A hammock will compress the sides and bottom of your bag so if it is to be cold you may need your pad for insulation inside the hammock. Use a head net for bugs. Hammocks are not real useful above the timberline”

“http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=212020&a;=1570972&p;=15417501


I love hangin? around! I don?t go for the fancy screened in models as they can weigh just as much as a tent and cost just as much. I?m trying out my new 18 oz. hammock from Brigade Quartermaster this weekend. It pitches nice and taunt.”

“The weather I had to deal with this past weekend made having a tent worth it's weight in gold.”

“sooooooo, nigal, you go camping just to fondle yourself?”

“Heck no dude! I can do that at home watchin' NASCAR! LOL! Believe it or not I took two shots of that picture and the other one you can see right up my shorts. So consider yourself lucky pal! =)”

“Nigal
Thank for not showing us your nads.”

“si, muuuuuuuuchas gracias!!!!”

“I recently bought one of those jungle hammocks from a friend. Haven't used it yet, but of course I weighed it--3.5 lbs!! Heavy canvas bottom, heavy lines terminating to a big heavy steel ring on each end. Would be useful for camping on hillside or rocky ground, which I never seem to do. Maybe I'll just sell it to some other "friend".”

“3.5lbs. doesn't sound like alot for a one man shelter to me. Exactly how much do you guys' shelters weight for solo trips? And if it's alot less than 3.5lbs did you spend a zillion dollars for it?”

“eureka gossamer

2.5 lbs

$99”

“peak one cobra,mfg.says four lb. but its closer to 3.5 cost 74.95.”

“2 lbs. and $50 for hammock and poncho and my tarp is for the rest of the year is 13 oz. and $60.

If'n you guys are nice to me for the rest of the year I'll show ya my nads fer Christmas. LOL!”

“nigal, you're a turdmonkey.”

“I always thought that the camping hammocks looked cool, but where would my doggy sleep? ...on the ground? eeeek! =:O

I use my Jimmy Bivy/Kelty Dart, 2.4 lbs / $75 or just a tarp, depending on weather, bugs, etc...

Hey Nigey, thanks for the visual
whatta man! Wow, maybe you could cut a marketing gig for the manufacturer...picture and caption: "feels just like home"! ;oP
LOL”

“One word pi�ata! I have just bought a hammock shelter for my Yosemite trip in two weeks. I looked at several models and finally settled on the Hennessy Hammock (www.hennessyhammock.com). It weights in at 2 1/4 pounds, cost $99 (from REI so if I don't like it it will get returned), and is made very well. What I really like is with the 2 1/4 pounds I now don't carry a pad, ground cloth, and tent. I have yet to really try it (just about an hour in the yard), maybe this weekend I'll find time for a day hike and some testing time (ok really sleeping time). From the time I have found to lay down in it, it is very comfortable, so my hopes of waking up without a stiff, sore back may come true (if you lay 20 to 30 degrees diagonally you lay flat). After the Yosemite trip I plan to write a review.”

“Not much use above timberline, are they? ;-)”

“No one....I repeat NO ONE be nice to Nigal for the rest of the year. eek! =:o”

“Why not? You showed us your squirrel nads didn't cha?”

“HAA!! HAAAA!!!!! kleetn's got 'squirrel nads'!!!! you had better get a doctor to check that out!!!!”

“I bought a Clark?s Jungle Hammock about 4 years ago. At the time, they were the only hammock tent mfctr. on the Web (that I knew of). Expensive, but strong and durable...important to me because I rarely sleep less than 30? off the ground when I bring my climb gear. It?s not exactly lightweight, but then again I?m usually carrying 15 extra pounds of climbing gear anyway so who cares. It?s comfortable to sleep in. I?d rather sleep suspended in the air than on the cold lumpy ground anyday. Also, it can be set up on the ground if there aren?t any good trees. So anyway, if you?re not climbing, I don?t see any reason to pay more for a hammock tent, unless the extra comfort is worth it to you. As for rigging a tarp over a backyard hammock...savage!”

“Rad, I done tole ya....I ain't gonna play doctor wif ya no more.

Oh, Dr. Lauraaaaaaaa!”

“perv!”

“I used my new hammock this weekend on an over nighter and it was great. The thing goes up in seconds and is very taunt and stable. I am rethinking the poncho tarp though and may just take the sil-tarp from here on out. When I stopped and made camp for the day it was already raining and I started rigging the poncho only to find I didn?t bring enough rope. Way to go Nig! I had that thing tied to trees, rocks and my big toe! Anything to keep it aloft! It was a crappy pitch job but it stormed and rained all night and I stayed nice and dry.”

“Ponchos are wonderful items aren't they? I've used hammocks before but I'm really a belly sleeper and find it difficult to get comfortable.”

“I think alot of the fun of making camp is creating some new and wonderful shelter, windblock, pack covering, privacy screen, etc. with the poncho.

Nigal, I'm a bit disapointed you didn't have enough rope. Doesn't everyone carry 2000' of parachute cord?:0) And what about your duct tape? Where was that? You could've taped that poncho to your big toe!!LOL”

“Hey Nigal,what happen to your boot laces? the lashing straps, draw strings on you rain gear or anything else with a cord. Remember if you took it make it work! None of the items mention are needed to sleep. Anyway make sure the ropes/strings stay attached to the tarp or hammock next time.”

“Boot laces? BOOTS!? Boots are fer snow my good man. In the summer it's bare feet or sandals at the most. Lashing straps, draw strings and other stuff get hacked off when I buy stuff. =) I had just grabbed a handful of cord that was in a pile thinking it would be enough, I just came up short.”

“LaRock, way to go on your purchase of the Hennessey Hammock. I am sure your going to like it. I have had mine for a little over a year now and have used it into late October, so far in comfort. I have never woke up sore since using my hammock and I certainly cannot say that about sleeping on the ground! LaRock I look forward to hearing how the full test goes. Enjoy!”

“Hennessey Hammock

At first I was skeptical of a backpacking hammock, having tried the net types in the Army I found them uncomfortable and too cold. My 5 nights in the Hennessey Hammock were delightful, most relaxing nights of sleep I have had in the backcountry in many years. This along with ease of use, lightweight, and great workmanship will place this item on the top of my list of favorites.

Use of the hammock was so quick and simple that on some rest breaks I would set it up to really relax. On one evening I made camp late and even without the perfect pitch I was still comfortable all night. I did add a couple tent stakes to help with keeping the side tied out, I didn?t like to look for rocks to tie off to.

This shelter is lightweight, at 2 � pounds it beats every tent I have owned. I was able to leave my sleeping pad at home to save additional weight.

When looking at the web site I couldn?t get a feel for how the hammock was made. So when I found out REI carried them I ran right over to see it. Everything about this hammock is quality.

The only down fall I found with the Hennessey was the reflector. I made one following the instruction on the web site, but on the second night of use it tore in half, making it useless. The remainder of the nights, with the temperature dropping in to the 40?s, I was just as comfortable as the first night. This lead me to believe the reflector would only be necessary on nights colder then 40 degrees. I would like to see Hennessey manufacture a sturdier reflector as an included accessory.

I don?t feel there is a better hammock out there. I can?t wait to see the double model Hennessey is working on and neither can my wife.

www.hennessyhammock.com”

“Man, that sounds like a sweet set up LaRock. I used to use the net hammocks and froze my gonads off and no I use a poly/cotton solid fabric one and it is still cool. I don?t think I?d be able to go down below 50 without being cold. Do you use an insulating pad with it? The one I use is a double layer deal with one side open so you can slip a pad between the two sheets of fabric. I tried this last weekend but I didn?t like it. This past weekend I spent two blustery rainy nights in the hammock under my poncho/tarp and stayed nice and dry. IMHO a hammock is the only way to go.”

“LaRock and HammockHanger, I've got a question or two for you re: your hennessy. First, is the bottom entrance really an advantage? I climb, and I can't imagine feeling too secure with a large hole in the floor of the hammock tent. Also, are there accessory loops to clip biners on to? And what about storage? My Jungle Hammock has pockets underneth the floor, which also provides extra insulation. And the rain fly. Looks like it's similar to my Jungle Hammock, where you have to tie the ends to neighboring branches/trees. That means you have to get out and untie the damn thing if it rains hard during the night. And then is there a way to secure it around the tent? My Jungle Hammock has some velcro that keeps it closed. It seems to me the rain fly is the weak point in the hammock tent system. I would like to be able to raise and lower the rain fly without getting out of the tent. I've actually rigged that way with my spare throw line, but what a time consuming and messy system. Anyway, I'm always on the lookout for a better mousetrap and if you can answer any of my questions, I'd appreciate it.

(Am I the only one here who likes technical treeclimbing/camping?)”

“Nigal, nope didn't use a sleepingpad. I used the reflector the first night and could feel my body warmth bouncing back to me, but once it tore I really didn't miss it much. I was surprised I didn't get really cold, I did get a little chilled but nothing too uncomfortable.

Mutt, for a land camper like me the bottom entrance was easy to use. I felt secure while laying in it, at least I never fell out. I wouldn't see it as something easy to use while high up in the trees though. Your Clark is probably better for that. As for storage, thanks for reminding me, I would have like the Hennessey to have a couple small pocket on the inside for the little things (glasses & flashlight). They say to use the ridge line to hang item over which is fine to socks and other soft items, But I didn't like how my eye glasses when closed had sharp parts of the arms exposed that could potentially tear the no-see-em netting. The rain fly ,when tied to the same stakes at the side adjustment shock cords, lays nicely against the ridge line and no-see-em netting. Looks like it will keep most rain out, thankfully I didn't get to try it out. I agree it would be nice to be able to adjust the rain fly from within the hammock.

Other then the few small detail pointed out, I was extremely happy with the hammock. Can't wait to get out and play with it some more.”

“Mutt, the bottom access is really effective. It is really quick to get out and I haven't really had my legs fall through the slit unintentionally. I would worry about falling through because most of your body weight is above the waist which is not above the opening, unless your feet are incredibly heavy!LOL
I have made a nylon pouch that, with velcro, attaches around the ridge line so I can keep my army knife, watch handy.
As for the tarp... living on the Wet Coast (I mean West Coast) of BC I usually use my other tarp that is larger than the one the hammock comes with.
LaRock, I too have used the space blanket idea suggested by Hennessey. It is a little to noisy but it seems to work. When I car or canoe camp I take along my sleeping pad but it is something I leave behind when backpacking. I may try changing the side bungie cords with static line to see what effect it has. I'm not sure if the ability to swing sideways is really necessary.
On a side note I have seen a few publications with reviews of the Hennessey Hammock, soon we will be witnessing a sea of hammocks in our forest.”

“Opps made a typo. It should say "I wouldN'T worry,,,"”

“Hey Mutt, I've been lurking around here for a week maybe. Didn't expect to find another climber. I usually use SRT for ascending and DRT for positioning in the canopy. I've got a New Tribe Tree Boat with the tent option. Expensive, but it's better than any other hammock tent IMHO. Made specifically for canopy camping. We've got a grove of 5 climbers where I live. If you're interested in climbing with us, you can email me at [email protected]. Waving at you from the treetops, polter”

“Polter, I'm surprised too. I'm not a member of TCI (the members I met were kind of spacey), so I don't belong to a grove. I've considered the Tree Boat. No doubt it has features for the treeclimber, but DAMN it costs a lot! And it weighs more than other hammock tents, doesn't it? I have to backpack to my favorite camping grove, and I'm already carrying around 15 pounds of climb gear so I don't need to lug a heavy tent, too. I'll email you and maybe we can swap good climbing groves. BTW, when camping, usually, I'm only using DRT, as you put it, because I don't wanna carry two ropes and ascenders. Well I bring a shorter rope for double crotching, but you know what I mean.”

“?double crotching??

And here I thought you were some kind of intellectual! Instead ya turn out just to be another dirty mouthed riff raff! LOL!

Couldn?t help myself dude. 80)”

“Heh Heh. Mutt the Troll pretended to be an intellectual. Mutt the Tree Climber is just a perv who likes to double crotch with the ladies!”

“cool!!!”

“I got a hammock tent for all those critters that come "sniffing" in the night. I'm a light sleeper so they 'ALWAYS' woke me up. I tried a light & radio to scare them away. (didn't work) I tried listening to a small radio with ear buds (so I couldn't hear them) but it hurt my ears. It DID keep all the (small) critters from waking me up, but I like keeping my gear with me & there's NO ROOM FOR THAT. You will also get wet in a hammock tent with horizontal rain. Nice to relax in on an Adirondack island while keeping the bugs away.”

“They are good for the summer, but in winter you will freeze your butt off!”

“All right Tarpy! Now you?re just being sacrilegious! You are not worthy to care that name. Back to being Morrison for you!”

“Hennessey has updated their catalog and now offers 5 models. Check them out at http://www.hennessyhammock.com/2001_catalogue.htm”