Folks round here dont much take to free grazers.
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Lets talk hammocks
- Thread starter GCTerpfan
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2018
- Messages
- 3,928
I didn’t take it that way, for sure. We’ve never met, but I’m just down the road from you (so won’t type out the name of the shady town you’re from, what with folks being so judgmental and all, lol).
The folks here will benefit greatly from your input on the DIY side, that’s for certain.
FireInMyBones
New Member
I love a good UQ. I've had some bad nights without them.
My bugnet is built into my hammock. When using a hammock with a with a separate bugnet, I hang it from my ridgeline.
Generally true. Width has a bit to do with it too. Shape of hammock ends and the way it is constructed also changes things. Most are a straight rectangle. For a flatter lay you want a VERY gentle convex curve at the head and foot end. This makes the hammock feel much larger.
I always recommend a tarp that is one foot longer than the length of the hammock. For example, I normally use a ten foot hammock with an eleven foot tarp. I've gone shorter/longer and this is a good spot for the suspension I use. I also prefer a hex tarp over a square/diamond.
I use ZingIt. No stretch, easy to splice to make it look supper clean.
I get it. Most of the time, I carry a 15-25L pack with a bear canister sleeve. My hammock (built in 30*F Underquilt and bugnet) and suspension weighs 1089g/ 38.4oz/ 2.4lbs
Here is a link to my gear spreadsheet. Feel free to make a copy and input your own data if you find it helpful.
(As to not toot my own horn) Dream Hammock, Dutchware Gear, and Superior Hammock Gear (though there are pros and cons for each).
Here is a video of my full backpacking load out that details my hammock system:
Thx Fire, informative and concise. Good stuff.
overspined
Active Member
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2021
- Messages
- 177
I’ve been hunting with a henesee hammock with a bug screen for about 5 years or so mainly in elk country . Maybe longer. I use an overquilt and underquilt. Love it. Better than carrying a tent and all, and I can sleep on mountain steeps without a problem. I love it. I mean it’s not a bed, but neither is the ground.
Marmuzz
Well-Known Member
Why do you say it’s better than carrying a tent? Is it more lightweight to carry? Or are you talking mostly about the improved sleep compared to being on the ground?
As long as you have your two support trees, it doesn't matter what the ground looks like!
If u can locate a handful of sturdy sticks and u got enough rope u really don't even need a tree....hatchet 550cord and a little ingenuity u can hang with only 1 tree or none
I’ve been hammock camping for about 5 years now. It’s as gear-addictive as saddle hunting. I’ve got Warbonnet, Dutchware, ENO, and HammockGear hammocks, rain flies, and straps coming out of my ears.
IMO, packing a hammock isn’t much lighter than a tent and is bit heavier if you buy some of these ultralight tents they sale today. However, as someone who slept on the ground uncomfortably for the previous 25 years, the sleep quality is the main advantage. Secondary advantage is the ability to regulate body temp better. You can comfortably sleep in a hammock on warmer nights than you can a tent.
My favorite hammock is the Warbonnet BBXL. I wouldn’t purchase a hammock less than 11’ unless you are shorter than 5’5”. Makes getting the sag setting more difficult for a flat lay. Not all hammocks are created equal and would recommend trying different brands and styles to find the one that fits you best. 10/10 would recommend using a ridgeline.
I don't really find the hammock much heavier than a tent setup overall, but a bit bulkier due to both my TQ and UQ (evidently depending on temperatures).
So when its late in the day and you must set camp, and there aren't 2 suitable trees to hang from, what are you doing? How do you rig to use the tarp, bug net, etc on the ground?
I'm really intrigued with the hammock concept of not needing level or smooth ground. It seems like it would be great for canoe camping when the river banks are seldom level. But on the other hand, what do you do when the only place to camp has no trees? I really don't want to portage a hammock AND a tent. It's gotta be one or the other.
I'm really intrigued with the hammock concept of not needing level or smooth ground. It seems like it would be great for canoe camping when the river banks are seldom level. But on the other hand, what do you do when the only place to camp has no trees? I really don't want to portage a hammock AND a tent. It's gotta be one or the other.
There are several options for when trees aren't around from using trekking poles to just going to ground. Check out the link below for some specifics and other ideas.
5 Solutions for Hammock Camping Without Trees | DutchWare
Interested in learning some creative ways you can hang your hammock without trees? Here are 4 creative solutions for hammock camping without trees!
dutchwaregear.com
Tensa4 hammock stand : Tensa Outdoor
Tensa4 is an innovative, elegant, extremely portable hammock stand. It provides peace of mind when traveling with a hammock, indoors or out. With by far the smallest footprint, smallest packed size, and lowest weight of any stand so capable, Tensa4 supports up to 350lbs in hammocks up to 12'...
www.tensaoutdoor.com
I would recommend an insulated pad instead of an underquilt if you think you might need to go to the ground.
It's fairly simple to "go to ground" except in that instance a UQ will not work... You would need some sort of insulated pad. You could use either sticks, trekking poles, or the paddles to suspend the top portion/tarp. You may even be able to rig/pack a single-end support in a canoe, not practical in a backpack, if you could guarantee one tree. My straps are 15' each, plus the hammock length, and you could always add a minimal length of Amsteel or something for extension. I could reasonably do 30-35' between trees, you just need to be using a suspension with minimal stretch, and hang them higher to get the proper angles.
At this point, I'm strictly a curious, window shopper for hammocks but I'm really drawn to something like an Amok style hammock. I like that you can side sleep, back sleep, or whatever. Amok come with a pad so I assume UQ would only be needed in extremely cold weather.
One other thing that I wonder about is the feasibility of rigging 2 Amok hammocks from the same 2 trees. Basically head to head. I doubt my wife would want her hammock to be located a distance from mine. I assume it isn't very feasible to hang 2 banana style hammocks from the same 2 trees but it looks like you could with an Amok. It that possible?
Yes with something like this:
.582 Spreader Bar Pole | DutchWare Gear
Total length of 32” and 28.5", which is what we have found to be a great length to use when you are hanging two hammocks side by side. Shop now.
dutchwaregear.com
Note: if you go the Dutchgear route - they sell suspension systems that work with these spreader bars for a hassle-free setup.
Note Note: hammock camping is as a slippery financial slope as saddle hunting....be careful exploring Dutch's site...
