Hello to all from Pittsburgh PA

**Calebreth** · 06-08-2016, 19:47

Hey there, I've been lurking around these parts for some time now and have finally gotten to the point where I think I'm ready to ask some questions. I figured I throw up and Introduction thread in before the questions came out though.

A Little about me: I am, 35 married, have a 15 y/o son and 2 Siberian Huskies. I've been off of work for over 2 years now because of a shoulder injury in December of 2013. Two surgeries later and I'm still in pain every day. I was sitting at my computer and on the couch for the past two years feeling sorry for myself and playing video games to pass the time. (Huge Gamer in both senses) I gained over 50 pounds in the time I have been out of work. One day about 2 months ago I woke up and just had the feeling I needed to get outside. I did not want to sit at the computer or on the couch wasting my life away any longer. I was tired of being depressed and needed a change. So I asked the wife if she wanted to go to Raccoon Creek State Park in Western PA (About 30-35 mins from our house) and take our Dogs. We hiked from the beach up the mountain to the campground area and walked around there for about 3-4 hours. At first going up the trail I felt like I was going to die, I hadn't gotten any kind of exercise in almost 2 years. I needed to stop a bunch of times during the climb but I wanted to keep going, I needed to keep going. Once we reached the top I felt and overwhelming sense of accomplishment. It was at that point I realized what I had been missing. Everything was so clear to me at that point, the smell of being in the woods, the sun shining on my face, I couldn't help it and started getting emotional. I needed to be out in the woods.

For the past 12 or so years I have been sitting myself in front of a computer or a TV playing video games and missing out on so much that life and nature had to offer. I never thought I needed to do anything else since I enjoyed it so much. After I got hurt I just went to what I knew best and for 2 straight years, at least 10 hours a day I just sat there playing. I can happily say that I am no longer doing that. I've been Solo Hiking(with the dogs and with out), Hiking with the wife and dogs, hiking with my son and even reconnected with my sister who I had lost touch with. Being outdoors has been like a medicine for me, and I need more of it.

This brings me to the now. I got a ton of gear for Camping/Backpacking and have yet to use it. 2 Tents, a pack, sleep system, cook kit, and I even bought a hammock from Amazon, Wolfyok is the name, It is rated at 500lbs and that is the main reason I bought it. I was 330 lbs when I started getting out and I'm down to 313 at the moment. Since I got the hammock I have purchased 2 bug nets, and a Yukon outfitters tarp. I've set up the hammock a few times with some MalloMe straps(same as Atlas straps) and some carabiners. I even got around to getting the tarp out and set up just for practice. But have yet to set up the bug net similar to Fronkey's. And I am already kinda pissed at myself for not just biting the bullet and coming here sooner for suggestions on full hammock set ups. Now I'm disappointed in what I have and want something else.

TLDR;
To make an already long story shorter I am now in the market for a new hammock that is lighter weight than what I have that can support me and has an included bug net.
I want to go Hammock camping/backpacking.
I would like to keep the max weight of the hammock at the 400 lbs mark just in case I need to have a dog hop in with me if need be.
I'd like 1/8 amsteel whoopies as my suspension so I do not have to worry about the weight
1.5" - 2" tree hugger straps
I do want an adjustable ridgeline (does this have to be amsteel as well?)

What I have been looking at is the Warbonnet Blackbird XLC, I'm just curious of how much more I would need to spend to get what I want as a suspension. Currently in the cart its $285 for the whoopies, double layer 1.7 XLC and a winter top cover (since you only have one chance to purchase and cause why not?) I am figuring that the whoopies will be 7/64 as apposed to 1/8 so I will need to replace the whole suspension. I'm fine with that cause then I can just replace my wife's suspension on her Yukon Outfitters hammock.

I know this is a lot of info but to be honest I have no clue where to start and I really don't want to buy something that I will end up being disappointed in again.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance and I look forward to being apart of the community here!

**Calebreth** · 06-10-2016, 01:41

As I read this over again, I guess it would be a little forward for a first post on a forum

My bad, I'm just that kind of person. I hope I didn't scare anyone lol.

**ofuros** · 06-10-2016, 02:55

You haven't done anything wrong, calebreth, its a friendly forum & help will be forthcoming....

**Wanderlost** · 06-10-2016, 05:27

Not too forward at all! We're a pretty friendly bunch. Welcome to the forums!

**Calebreth** · 06-10-2016, 22:35

Thanks guys!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk

**Pennsy Camp and Canoe** · 06-11-2016, 09:03

I'll start by saying hello from Erie, PA! I can't really help you with your specific concerns, but would like to invite you to our group hang end of july up at Minister Creek (check out the trip planning section), you'll get to see some different set ups and meet good people

**Caboose24** · 06-11-2016, 11:02

Sounds like good hiking at racoon. I have not yet been there but am hoping to get there for an overnight this year, I live in New Castle, work in Wexford. Just got into hammock camping earlier this year, do you have the walkabout rainfly from yukon outfitters? thats what im using currently.

**Calebreth** · 06-11-2016, 16:34

Originally Posted by Pennsy Camp and Canoe

I'll start by saying hello from Erie, PA! I can't really help you with your specific concerns, but would like to invite you to our group hang end of july up at Minister Creek (check out the trip planning section), you'll get to see some different set ups and meet good people

I did see the post in the trip section. I'd love to tag along but I won't know till the end of this month if I can go or not. I will definitely let you know though.

**Calebreth** · 06-11-2016, 16:39

Originally Posted by Caboose24

Sounds like good hiking at racoon. I have not yet been there but am hoping to get there for an overnight this year, I live in New Castle, work in Wexford. Just got into hammock camping earlier this year, do you have the walkabout rainfly from yukon outfitters? thats what im using currently.

I enjoy It at raccoon plus it's only 30 minutes from my house. Ventured into the backpackers trail the other day with my son to check out the shelters and campsites. It really is a nice place.

Ya I'm using the walkabout, couldn't pass it up for $20, lol

**Caboose24** · 06-11-2016, 21:25

Originally Posted by Calebreth

I enjoy It at raccoon plus it's only 30 minutes from my house. Ventured into the backpackers trail the other day with my son to check out the shelters and campsites. It really is a nice place.

Ya I'm using the walkabout, couldn't pass it up for $20, lol

Yea I think mine was 35 when I picked it up off of Amazon, not a bad tarp for the money, it rained on us at Forbes and I stayed mostly dry, the ends of my hammock got a little damp but probably more to my suspension at that time, I think the whoopie slings and some drip lines would help with it. Thinking of going to a DIY kit from ripstop by the roll that has doors on it because I dont think it would do well if the rain was blowing in from wind. Overall has worked well for me so far.