NX-250: Further Explorations
Heck, that sounds like a Star Trek series!
The weather in southern WV has turned more temperate, with cooler nights and lower humidity days, so I had a chance today to explore the features and comfort of my new NX-250 without feeling that I was in a sweat lodge.
1. I complained earlier about the pockets being difficult to retrieve wire-rimmed glasses from. Well, it turns out that the right side pocket is tighter and more readily sealed than the left - that one lacks hook & loop and is open toward the head end of the hammock. Just slide your glasses in from teh end and they are secure and easily retrieved.
2. Big Guys with bad backs who do not bend at the waist well are gonna have a difficult time reaching the farthest zipper pull to close the net. Today I added a zipper pulls on those sliders made from the CJH guy line that are about 12" long and have a single line and no finishing knot on the end. They hang towards the center of the hammock body, and are still easy to grip betwen two fingers. Problem solved!
3. A non-structural ridge line makes it nice to hold the net or weather cover up off you when partially unzipped. I heartily endorse it.
4. OK, I give up. Whoopie slings ARE way easy to adjust.
5. I never sleep on my back in bed. Atomic snoring. But there is a comfy position in the Clark on my back that does not seem to cause my (whatever that thing in the back of the throat is - glottis?) to sink down and cause a snort.
6. I am impressed with the sewing of the CJH. And darn, there is a lot of it! It would be interesting to find out how many hours go into a CJH versus a HH or other gathered end hammock.
7. For some unknown reason, Bald-Faced Hornets find the CJH interesting. Maybe at this time of year when they are looking for sugars the hammock appears to them as a large flower.
I am becoming more and more pleased with this hammock!
Jim
First two nights in the NX-250.
An impromptu excursion to Ohiopyle PA to visit with an extended family of friends gave me an opportunity to finally sleep in my new Clark. Up to this point I had only had time to do test set-ups and hour-long hangs.
Located in the Laurel Highlands of western PA, Phiopyle is known for the Youghiogheny River and it's white water. I was staying near the top of a ridge (Tharp Knob area) several hundred feet in elevation above the river, so breezes through the forrested area are common.
My Crow's Nest was only ordered last week, so with the temps getting down to the low 50s at night I was looking for insulation alternatives.
Saturday night: After setting the hammock, and attempting to set the foot 3-4 inches above the head (difficult to do on a slope with one tree lower that the other!) I packed the six under-pockets with what I had on hand. Fleece vest. Lightweight fleece hoodie. Wadded up cotton shirt. Sleeping bag drysack partially inflated. The cotton shorts I had been wearing during the warm day. Etc. I had a synthetic SS shirt, underwear, and wool socks to sleep in. As a top quilt I used my old Marmot Grouse down bag partially unzipped.
Was not warm. My set did not have enough foot elevation, so I slid down past the pockets and experienced CBS. Shoulders wer OK though. And the sleeping position(s) were just fine - back, semi-side, or side. I had removed about half the foam filling from a TheermaRest pillow, which turned out to be a bit too flat. Easily correted.
Sunday night: The temperatures dropped off quickly, and by sacktime I could see my breath. I had re-set the hammock, and was confident that I would not slide down as I did the previous evening. And I used a LL Bean fleece bag as an interior pad - zipped shut and folded in half it insulated from shoulder to hip. I also wore the hoodie with the hood up, and donned a fleece jacket as well. Much more comfortable! The fleece bag was a hassle to deal with getting into the hammock, and after a 0200 bladder break. I am really looking forward to the Crow's Nest!
As for the NX-250, it functioned well and was a pleasure to use. The weather cover was great, allowing me to zip it closed with just about a foot of vent open above my head. No condensation noted anywhere, but the RH was probably quite low both nights. The tarp pitches very nicely - a fine catenary cut.
Jim