nano 7 is shorter than most commercial hammock specs.
mostly being targeted at the Ultralight crowd, though, not the petite crowd.
see if you can try a few on, and see what works best for you- any hang/gathering being planned near you?
KM
nano 7 is shorter than most commercial hammock specs.
mostly being targeted at the Ultralight crowd, though, not the petite crowd.
see if you can try a few on, and see what works best for you- any hang/gathering being planned near you?
KM
Hey KM - thanks for the Nano tip! At first glance I thought 'nope', but I read a pretty thorough review and I'm thinking that the Nano might be one option.
I'm planning an AT thru-hike, so I'm wondering if the Nano might be a good option for the first month or so while I have added pack weight due to extra layering items. After I dump some clothing later on I could swap out that weight with something like the WB blackbird...like trading in a Yugo for a Mercedes SLE...lol!
As far as hang gatherings, I have no idea. I'll definitely check into that though. I must say, the backpacking I've done, I've seen hammocks in use and never thought I would even consider them, but sleeping on the ground doesn't hold the charm it used to. Up in the Boundary Waters the ground is mostly basalt rock formations - doesn't make for great sleeping.
Thanks for the reply KM!
Since you having sewing abilities, try looking at Speer Hammocks (speerhammocks.com). They sell already manufactured hammocks but they also sell hammock and tarp kits so you can build your own. If you get their hammock kit, you can obviously tailor it to your specific dimensions so you're not carrying around more hammock than you need. The other nice thing about his hammocks is the bug netting is completely removable so you can leave it at home when the bugs aren't out.
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
Does anybody have any experience with the Speer Pea Pod? I can't help but believe this to be the absolute best system to keep warm in the cooler months of hammock camping. The system basically is a down sleeping bag that completely swallows your hammock around all sides. You don't crush the loft on the bottom because your hammock takes your weight and the pea pod hangs close to your butt underneath the hammock. This system basically eliminates the need for a sleeping bag and weighs in around 32 ounces complete. Its good down to about 20 degree's so they say. Intuitively I can't think of a superior system to this one. The only down side is they are expensive. Check it out yourself at www.speerhammocks.com/Products/PeaPod.htm
Several people around here use Peapods and most people like them. I'd get one as well except for the reason you bring up, cost. Instead, I use a down sleeping bag along the same lines as a Peapod. JustJeff's site gives a lot of good info and that's where I got the sleeping bag idea, http://www.tothewoods.net/HammockCam...m.html#Pull-up.
There was a long discussion on the Peapod over in the Speer section of the forum. http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=12735
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
Thanks mcghee!...I'm a newby in a candy store on this site. I still don't know what I don't know about this great forum...this is a very cool place!
back to the wool blanket idea....
I've used a wool blanket like a peapod.
when I first tried this with my eno I used a ridge line
and now with my blackbird I use the built in ridge line.
I clip the blanket to the ridge line
throw the blanket over to one side and up the other,
reclip it all and presto, a wool peapod.
I use a second blanket for the head end ...
of course two blankets weigh in at just over a ton and a half ....
but I just used this system just the other week ...
it was the chilliest night of the year,
got down to like 34 ish maybe .....
I was on my porch, just retesting this all out ....
can't let a cool night like this go by without using it!
I'll have to dig up a photo,
or set it back up and take a photo ......
it works great!
and never knew it got that chilly that night while in the hammock.
sure would like to test this out with lower temps someday .....
I had to wait for the sun to come up before I took these pics ....
Last edited by spidennis; 01-17-2010 at 10:37.
yeah the great thing about the blanket is it has a ton of uses to go with its weight...
i have seen
full length jacket
sit pad
poncho
camp fire back warmer
tarp
hammock You can use one as a hammock if you have a 6 point or larger and rope it will hold you
and now we have a confirmed report of a peapod usage and probably an under quilt
Just as a related side note, when we take groups on canoe trips in the "off season" that is other than June, July and August in northern lower Michigan, we take a wool blanket per person. They are great wraparounds while sitting around the fire, provide additional padding and insulation from the ground, and boost a sleeping bag rating by at least 10-20 degrees.
If it gets really cold I use one in my hammock, though I am good into the 20's with just a pad and a SB. I also had a wool blanket that had some holes in it from Traverse Bay Woolen Company and my wonderful wife made a pullover coat styled similar to what the Voyagers would have worn and there is nothing like it for warmth. Great paddling wear on a cold snowy or rainy day. Weight is an issue and for backpacking it would be prohibitive, however; a canoe can carry a lot of gear. I like wool, capilene, and polar tec in various combinations when I am out in the cold and on the river.
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