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I sleep on my back at all times -- in bed, tent, or Warbonnet Blackbird XLC. It's designed to sleep diagonally to the hang, and though not quite flat I don't feel at all like a banana.

Cougarmeat, I'm completely unfamiliar with the use of "bungee" on a tarp or in any guyline setup. Can you elaborate on that, and possibly cite a specific product -- is it just another term for the...

The cmoulder fold looks ingenious in that video, but I would not use a method for stowing my tarp that involves removing the stakes while the guylines are attached to the tarp. Once in a strong wind...

I really appreciate all the useful info, and will reassess my tarp deployment.

Thanks!

Thanks for the response. I don't use a ridgeline, and hadn't considered using shock cord for the tree attachment -- only for the staked guylines.

I'll check out the video, but I use a snakeskin for my tarp (without the guylines attached).

Someone recommended that I add 12-18 inches of 1/8 inch shock cord to the tarp at the tie out points to provide some flex in strong winds. Is that common practice?

Also recommended was #18 braided...

Nice video!

I've been heading down to RRG & Natural Bridge State Park (6-1/2 hour drive from Chicagoland) since the early 90's, and always manage to find a new adventure. Twenty years ago I was...

Beautiful Winter Wonderland!

I developed my love of hiking when I went to school at Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) in the late 1970's. Garden of the Gods barely scratches the surface of what Shawnee National Forest...

I've been away from these forums for a few years, for a variety of reasons. I got back into hanging two years ago while recovering from a badly dislocated broken ankle. My first hiking trip was at...

Thanks for the trip report. That's quite a trek going solo in windy freezing temps, rugged terrain with big elevation change between rim and river.

I've been to Linville Gorge half a dozen times...

Thank you for that awesome link, and the weather is looking good for Sunday/Monday!

Looking at the map I can see how the Crest Trail roughly parallels (and somewhat shortcuts) my planned route, but since the campsite Boneplie mentioned is downhill from the AT a mile past Scales,...

Bonepile, that is exactly the kind of info I was looking for -- you rock :thumbup:

I'm planning a 2 day hike in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, probably June 9-10 or 10-11. Starting at Grayson Highlands State Park I'll take the spur up to the Appallachian Trail and hike...

Thanks for the explanation; I will bring that bivy and use it only in conditions where my other insulation may be inadequate!

d-p, thanks for the primer on VB technology. I'm trying to assess how this applies to my intended use, which is to insert it between the layers of my hammock for under insulation in conjunction pads....

I've been backpacking for decades, but I'm new to hanging. My only experience with a VBL was 9 years ago when I used an Adventure Medical Kit ultralight bivy to supplement a 45* bag in 30* temps....

Also, that fabric repair tape looks like a great option for anchoring my inflatable pad in position. I'm not sure if I'll use a toggle or some extra-strong velcro my wife has, but I'll definitely...

DJ, your post reminded me that I have an old Adventure Medical Kits ultralight bivy. I haven't used it in nearly 10 years, but it's like new and I think it could add some good R value between the...

Thanks for the suggestion, but I'd like to use my Thermarest (or my Exped Downmat 9) because both have chair sleeves and will come in handy if I have to go to ground. If I think there's a chance of...

Could you expand a little on what's involved with the fabric repair tape loops? I don't exactly know what those are and can't visualize the mechanics of that system.

Thanks,
DW

After decades of backpacking with tents I just acquired my first hammock -- a Blackbird 1.1 double layer. I have 4 nights of hanging experience in this model, having borrowed one from a very generous...

I have a WBBB 1.1 dbl layer that I'll be using with a pad: either an old Thermarest Pro or my Exped Downmat 9. I may cross that with half a Z-Lite pad under the upper torso. Could you expand a little...

Again, I was not suggesting that a sleeping bag alone would be sufficient at any temps in which a SB or TQ would be needed.

The question is whether there is any advantage whatsoever to get...

If I was starting from scratch I would definitely go with TQ & UQ, but the $300+ I just dropped on a WBBB 1.1 dbl and MJ tarp was all I could justify (in my own mind) spending on my first set-up...

I was not suggesting for one moment that a sleeping bag by itself would be sufficient, merely that being inside the bag could make a slight difference. Tucking the side of the bag under me relieved a...

On my first hang with overnight temps about 40* I used my 32* down sleeping bag as a top quilt and an old thermarest self-inflating pad between the layers of a WBBB. Crossways under my upper torso...

I live in Chicagoland, so my favorite places to backpack are always several hours away.

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan has been my most...

Yes I meant a CRL, thanks. I thought maybe having a cord underneath might make a difference in providing support for the poles.

Do you need a tarp ridgeline to use this technique?

Thanks for those links!

I've inquired about the Mountain Goat mesh sleeve, which looks like what I want for the MamaJamba tarp.

My initial under insulation will be pads rather underquilt, so...

After decades of backpacking with a tent, I just purchased my first hammock (Blackbird 1.1 dbl layer) and a MamaJamba tarp to go with it. Didn't buy the stuff sacks; thinking of DIY or acquiring...

How does gthe material in that Evazoto pad compare with the ccf Landau foam linked to in the Warbonnet Outdoors web site?

I'm about to make my first hammock purchases. I borrowed a dbl 1.1 WBBB...

Thanks walterharold, I'll climb inside and zip up my down bag (I don't have a synthetic bag). If I need a little more insulation I could sandwich my synthetic Primaloft vest between the pads.

For my first hang in temps down to about freezing I'll be using a combination of half a Zlite accordion pad crossways under my upper torso & shoulders, plus either a Thermarest self-inflating pad or...

Thanks dragon and mangus, that was helpful.

I'll be backpacking in some rugged terrain so I'll go with the ZLite plus whichever other pad feels most comfortable in my backyard testing (in a close...

Still hoping for some input on this.

Instead of the inflatable Thermarest, I can use an old army-issue 3/8" ccf pad. It's 24x72, but I can cut that down. I thought about using the bottom trimmings...

I'm planning to do my first hang in a couple weeks, with a borrowed WBBB. I'll be using a good down sleeping bag as a quilt for upper insulation, but I don't have an underquilt. The temps could get...

Huauqyi,

I stand 6 feet and a half inch, and need to lose some weight (225 lbs). Thanks for the heads-up!

The Explorer is $200 at REI and weighs 3 lbs 6oz with rainfly. I'm beginning to think...

Thanks for all the responses, much appreciated!

The HH Expedition Asym Zip has a single layer body, correct? If so, I wouldn't be able to place a pad between two layers underneath.

I'm a veteran backpacker who has not yet been in a hammock, but I like everything I've been reading about hanging. I sleep almost exclusively on my back but switch to my side when my lower back...

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I'll definitely keep an eye out for group hangs that I might be able to attend. Rather than attempt a DIY gathered bedsheet for my first time out, I can rent (or...

Hi All,

I've been backapacking for 25 years and have always used tents. I've got a lot invested in some pretty good gear but the more I read about hammocks and how comfortable they are, the more I...