Gearing up for the cold or JRB Happiness!

[41vi4]

Being able to talk with gear manufacturers/vendors who are not only active in the field but also active on this site is one of the many advantages of being a Hammock Forums member. After discussing my individual needs with the Jacks, I purchased a Mt Washington 3 UQ and a JRB 11' by 10' CAT Tarp with STL set.

Last weekend, 20-22 Nov 2009, I had the chance to use both...



It was close midnight when I finished setting up. Took me a hour or so to adjust to hanging without a CCF pad. After I got comfortable, I was looking around and saw a center tab on the tarp ridgeline seam. I thought—wow! The Jacks thought of everything...even a place to hang my hat. It wasn't until morning that I realized something was wrong...

Other than that, I was very comfortable and slept well both nights. The warmth radiating up from the UQ was really sweet. Considering lows of 38 (Saturday) and 34 (Sunday), I was toasty both nights.

So to the Jacks—Thank You!!! Great gear! I look forward getting some more soon.

To Cannibal, thanks for all the advice and stories. Much appreciated.

And finally a special thanks to Shug for starting me on this hammock quest.

[trigger hurt]

Wouldn't be the first time someone hung their tarp upside down.

Just dont be a perfectionist. I've had to catch myself and tell myself to let it ride. I'll spend hours making fine adjustments to my hammock and tarp unnecessarily. Part of the reason I switched to having a full ridge line over the tarp was the ability to hang the hammock off center and put the tarp where I wanted it. Since then, life outdoors has become less stressful.

Good looking setup. I hope the 2Q/ZQ mods for the OES tarps get started soon. Really looking forward to doors and being able to change clothes standing up.

[HappyCamper]

Sweet setup. I love my JRB large tarp. Once I got it I haven't used another tarp and stopped looking at tarp gear. It's made that part of hammock camping a no brainer. It fits my needs perfectly.

Don't forget to seam seal the seam and then after it has dried put baby powder on the seam to make it less sticky. Speyguy's cord lock setup makes for an even easier and much faster setup for me.

Your quilt is an excellent piece of gear too! I won't use an uq that is not differential cut. I'm spoiled now. Also makes using an uq a no brainer. I guess I'm just someone who doesn't want to use my brain!

[Shug]

Looks mighty fine there ...... that tarp is growing on me.
That is all I need .... more stuff. I do though.
Like that it goes all the way to the ground.
Shug

[Perkolady]

Very nice!!

I find that tinkering with setup adjustments is sort of a continueing process....

There's always something to try, or to rethink, or play with when setting up!

After all, just think of all the possibilities and occasions and weather, and views, and.... and......and....

[41vi4]

Went searching for adventure last weekend (12-13 Dec 2009) at Barnegat, NJ. Before I left, postman delivered my new JRB Sierra Sniveler (SS).

The JRB MW3 and SS kept me pretty warm when the temperature dropped to a low of 22 Sunday morning. My camera failed on this trip so I had to use my cell phone instead. Here is a picture of my complete setup including the JRB SS:



HappyCamper really helped my speed the deployment of my JRB 11' x 10' Cat through the use of Speyguy's cord lock setup. I used some 550 cord to attach to the tarp. Not the neatest but will get better...



I appreciate all HappyCamper's help, patience, and for providing the cord locks. I still have some concern about breakage but I think good site selection and proper setup will go a long way....

So a big Thank-You to HappyCamper!

[Triptease]

Looks mighty fine there ...... that tarp is growing on me.
That is all I need .... more stuff. I do though.
Like that it goes all the way to the ground.
Shug

Shug - if you like that tarp then you really need to check out BWD's Winter Dream. Only 2oz more but a much bigger tarp IMHO. Version 2 has more square cut doors to facilitate better closing on either end. They are also on sale through the end of 2009. It would also make for a sweet review

[41vi4]

It would also make for a sweet review

Thomas533 has a nice write-up with pictures covering the BWD's Winter Dream (BWDWD) here.

Since the BWDWD is 11' by 13 it is bigger than the JRB 11' x 10' Cat. Yet, on the Jacks' webpage “What's New” shows improvements are in store for the JRB 11' x 10' Cat. Interesting to see what is coming up next.