Hammock questions ..Episode Two

[Scoutfish]

Okay, so I wondered about hammocks and have been convinced that I want to do it.

 

Now, in my current position as CM of a pack, I will go camping about 4 to 6 times a year.

 

Since my son wil be a Boy scout next year, and I will remain a CM as well as some participation in Boy Scouts, I can see myself going camping 7 tp 9 times a year.

 

Now, although I am not ready to colect welfare, I am also not walking around with money falling out of my butt either. So, in that effect, I don't know if I really need a $300.00 hammock.

And I say a $300.00 hammock due to my size, I am 6'2" and around 242 pounds ( down from 260 with my new diet).

Plus, I don't want to spend a bunch of money for a hammock style I don't like and have to buy a differet style or brand.

 

So this particular hammock from Campmor seems like it will fit the bill and has alot of great reviews.

 

So, with a more limited camping schedule, what can you say about my choice for a beginners hammock?

Plus, it's cheap cost will allow me to buy differently as I learn more.

 

I am also thinking of buying a pack too. I know it will give me the freedom I want after being used to carrying several totes of campgear for my son and myself while he is in Cub Scouts: tent, bottom tarp, rainfly for tent, rainfly ropes, extra stakes, sleeping bags, sleeping pads. inflatable mattress, pump for mattress, pillow, etc...

 

I am thinking that I would be carrying a hammock, a sleeping bag, and my mess kit as well as a change of clothes.

 

Should I get an internal or external pack? Or should I get one without a frame at all?

 

Okay, I know some of your eye's just lit up knowing you get to share your expertese!

 

Thanks

[Scoutfish]

You know the hammock I am talking about? Nah, didn't think so.

 

...so here's the link:

 

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___67907

 

My line of thinking is this:

 

You have neverd fired any gun ever in your life, and then one day, you decide to take up shooting as a sport, you do not go out and just buy a .50 black powder rifle or a .338 magnum with a night vison scope.

 

You start out with a air rifle or a .22 and work your way up as you learn and get experience.

 

Same thing I am thinking about hammocks.

 

 

[qwazse]

One of the boys in our troop has one. He loves it. Still sleeps on the ground though!

 

Enjoy experimenting.

 

As far as packs go, don't get one so big that you'll fill it with stuff that will weigh you down. If you can borrow a friends until you decide which one works best for you, I'd take that route.

[JoeBob]

Fish,

I used one of these for whitewater camping for3-4 years:

 

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___41118?cm_vc=PDPZ2

$40, including the roof.

 

I used two short sticks to spread the top, permanently attached.

 

The Bliss Hammock you were looking at tests to 350, which is good! But I think you may have to buy the rain cover separately? (6x8 polytarp $3.50... http://www.rei.com/product/798413/blue-poly-tarp-8-x-6 )

[Tampa Turtle]

That looks like a good start to see if you like it. I recommend practicing setting it up in the backyard first and laying in it for a while.

 

My Hennesy had a weight limit of 250 when I weighed 235...good incentive to lose more weight.

 

I believe the weight limit is usually for the fabric, the line is usually rated for much higher...

[allangr1024]

I have been camping in a hammock since 2004. I started out with a Marina mesh hammock. I found this guys website (http://mormonsite.wordpress.com/camping-in-a-hammock/) and followed his method to the wire. I did this summer and winter, down to temps of 10 degrees F. I love camping in a hammock. I shudder at the thought of the condition of my back if I have to go to ground again.

 

I now have a Hennessey hammock that I bought on Ebay for $50.00. From that source I have also purchased the Hennessey Hex Fly, and a Thermorest pad to put in the hammock for insulation.

 

I would suggest that you also add to the hammock a good tarp or rain fly for rainy weather. Get one that amply covers the hammock. The stock rain cover that comes with my Hennessey is not large enough. That is why I got the larger Hex Fly. I have seen the Kelty Noah rain fly, and like the size of the 12 foot model. I am not a fan of Eno models that are shaped strangely. Even a regular plastic tarp is ok, although the weight will be significant. I once used a piece of Tyvek insulation covering. It worked and the weight was acceptable, but when the wind hit it, it was loud, like paper blowing in the wind.

 

Buy the tree straps too. It is easier to use tree straps to connect the hammock to the tree than to be using a rope on the tree, and the rope can damage the bark.

 

Last, investigate the Hennessey snake skins for packing up the hammock. I thought it was a dumb idea at first, but I saw some used, and it really did make packing and unpacking a lot simpler and easier. When the hammock is packed up this way, it can be wrapped around the outside of any backpack for backpacking. I think anyone can make a set of these "skins" with a sowing machine.

 

And if you have not found http://www.hammockforums.net yet, go there and find out more about it than you ever thought possible.

 

 

 

 

[Tampa Turtle]

That was good advice. I have found the Hennessy stock tarp fine; it looks too small but if there is driving rain I just drop the fly tighter. There are times I would like a bigger fly just to hide under while doing other stuff.

 

The biggest thing to learn at first is finding the right height to hang it and tension on the lines.

 

I say again, practice at home first. The first time to unpack it should not be Friday night in the dark. Been there, done that.

[perdidochas]

Make your own hammock.

 

http://www.tothewoods.net/ is a good reference for that.

 

so is

 

http://www.hammockforums.net

 

 

You should be able to make a hammock for about $30 that would be big enough for you. Use 4 yards of ripstop nylon. (I'm 5'11 and 240, and it's big enough for me). I used an 8x10 poly tarp the first time, and have tree straps from Harbor Freight lashing straps. I took up hammocking when my oldest became a boy scout as well. As I camp with them quite a bit, I wanted more comfort than the ground, but I didn't want to have to deal with a cot and a tent large enough to house one. Hammocks are both more comfortable than a cot, and easier to set up than a tent.

[anderle]

Decent choice. Another in the same price range is the SkeeterBeeter Pro. It's a couple inches wider and a foot longer. The real trick is in how you hang a hammock to get the most comfortable lay. Laying diagonally will achieve a fairly flat lay vs the banana shape. Check out hammockforums.net for more information, fun, and camaraderie than you stand. There's a bunch of us Carolina folk and a larger number of scouters than I would have expected. There's one near you (Wilmington). I'm in Durham if you ever get up our way.

[goheelz]

I'm 6'6", 270 and I sleep in a trek light ten foot hammock. they are not expensive The best sleep ever when camping. Definitely look on hammockforums.net for suspension advice. I use whoopie slings combined with polyester straps from harbor freight to hang the hammock. Once you learn, it takes no time to set up. Avoid the ENO slap straps. They stretch far too much. Saw a 125lb scout sink to the ground over night using them.

[Tampa Turtle]

Make sure you use the lingo: In the morning you don't say you had a good sleep you say "I had a good hang".