Hi, I'm Patrick from Grand Haven, Michigan. I started camping in hiking when I was a kid in Royal Rangers (scouting program through the Assm. of God churches) and did a little more when I got out of the military. Since starting and raising a family of daughters, camping and other "icky" activities fell by the wayside.

I am now planning my backpacking come back with a trip to Michigan's Isle Royale National Park with my wife. I have a bit of a back issue in that if I don't treat it well I can throw it out and sleeping on the ground seemed to be something that I wanted to avoid. So I have heard about hammock camping from some podcasts I download (Southwest Backpackers, Hike, Yeah!, etc) and thought this would be a good idea.

I have not bought my system yet and that is one of the reasons that I found this forum.

Welcome to the Forum!
Be prepared to be confused while picking out your first hammock. ;)

Welcome! Hammocks allow lots of people with back problems to camp in the woods. I've met more folks with serious back problems on HF than anywhere else!

I just learned about the Royal Rangers... a friend of mine and his kids are RRgers.

- MacEntyre

How do neighbor. Welcome to the forum.

Welcome to the forum....look around and get comfortable it is a good life...;)

Pan

Welcome there Neighbor,

You'll love this site! Welcome!

Howdy Neighbor!

Quick Gargoyle write his name down on the list of known Michigan hammock hangers! Since he doesn't have much hammock gear yet he can carry my pack.

Forgot to tell you Patrick...last one in gets to carry someone else's pack for a while....just kidding. :D

Quick, quick Gargoyle there's another one that just came out of the Piney woods.

Oh by the way Guesttrek could I interest you in holding this here pack for just a little while. Just kidding. :D

Welcome to the forum, this is a great place. Not to far from you, up in Ludington here.