Newbe to Hanging - Piecing Together a Hammock

[KC8QVO]

I have been backpacking for a couple years now and have always taken a tent. I have wrapped myself up in a tarp before too, like a bivy, but I didn't like that. In a pinch it will work, but not functional especially on the edge of a rock cliff with 20mph winds and sand....

In any event, I would like to add a hammock to my lineup. I have had several people now reccomend the Warbonnet's. What say all?

I know this wouldn't be an ideal set up, but I would like the ability to pitch with trekking poles. I have been in a couple areas where there was nothing to tie a hammock to (much less a bear bag). If I could tie up a ridge line between my trekking poles to support a tarp and bug net that would be sufficient. Comments?

The Warbonnet optional sides/doors to their tarps look like an ideal accessory. That was another of my concerns with the way I have seen most hammock set ups - rain can get in along the ridgeline in front and back.

This is also my first post, so hi all!

[gargoyle]

KC, welcome to the forum. Wise choice in the warbonnet line. All excellent products from Brandon.

[beep]

The Warbonnet Blackbird is a great hammock, though trekking poles will NOT be sufficiently strong to hang one. They work well for supporting a tarp in porch mode, however. The "rule of thumb" is a 4" tree for any hammock because the loads are substantial. In my experience, less, and the tree is bending from the weight and really screws up getting a taut tarp pitch.

There are a few threads about treeless hanging, but for backpacking, the weight of the treeless "solutions" borders on ridiculous.

Welcome the forums, though. You'll find a LOT of information here. It's worth spending some time poking through posts.

[KC8QVO]

The Warbonnet Blackbird is a great hammock, though trekking poles will NOT be sufficiently strong to hang one. They work well for supporting a tarp in porch mode, however.

I guess I should have been a bit more specific - I didn't mean to "hang" the hammock from the trekking poles, just use them as a support to hang the tarp and hold the netting up on a ridge line while on the ground.

Also, on a different topic, have any of you had issues with rain and getting wet with a normal hex tarp?

[HamMike]

Welcome Steve! Heck yeah a WB would be sweet! Wish I had one. What part of Ohio? Dayton area here.

[Cranky Bear]

Welcome to HF KC!!

CB

[KC8QVO]

Welcome Steve! Heck yeah a WB would be sweet! Wish I had one. What part of Ohio? Dayton area here.

Thanks for the welcomes.

Mike - I know exactly where Kettering is. I grew up in Centerville - if you know where Mad River and 48 is I wasn't too far south west of there. I went to Sinclair Community College for 2 years, then transfered to OSU. I am in the central part of the state now. I will be back in Centerville for Sat night/Sunday though.

[titanium_hiker]

treking poles work fine as "tent poles" for ground pitching- good pictures on Black Bishop's black cat tarp page http://www.teamgunnparker.com/blackc...#_Toc173479851 (scroll down a bit)

Also: remember that you'll need to purchase/adapt/make the different components of a hammocking system, you start with the hammock (BB is a popular choice) and you'll need a tarp (maybe you'd like a rectangle one?) and of course insulation. a closed cell foam pad kind of works, a sleeping bag is great, but many go for an underquilt of some description.

I reckon Just Jeff's pages on hammock camping (http://www.tothewoods.net/HammockCamping.html) are required reading.. particularly "staying warm" and "staying dry".

TH

[lori]

I had a ULBA - sold it and got a Blackbird. The dimensions may be similar but the Blackbird is much more comfortable and the side zip is really nice. I got tired of the velcro exit and the suspension. Rather than modding the $%^& out of the hammock it was easier to get something with all the features I wanted. Using a pad is lots easier in a double layer than in the Hennessy. And now that I have the shelf, it would be difficult to live without it.

Economical sometimes means getting the right thing the first time. I immediately swapped the HH tarp for something else, and went into an ongoing evolution of gear to dial it in. The Blackbird was not around when I first went looking or I might not have been selling and re-buying.

[KC8QVO]

Well it sounds like the Warbonnet Blackbird is the way to go. I got the same story over on the Backpacker forums as you Lori .

Now.. the rest of the package. I am looking at the Superfly tarp because of its size/price. Any comments? I have never had anything made from the Spinn material.

Line/strap or webbing suspension?

Other than insulation, is there anything else I need?