New guy in Connecticut

**grouch** · 07-21-2010, 13:38

Hey folks, I just wanted to say hi. I dropped by to see what all the fuss with hammocks is and so far I like what I see. I am mostly a car camper but I want to give backpacking a shot. Right now I sleep on the ground in a Nemo Nano and it works pretty good but I want to try something different. I have always liked the hammock idea but until I moved to CT didn't have a lot of trees to choose from. Now I guess I have no excuse. I am here to figure out what I need and make as few mistakes as possible. Looks like a great site with a great group of people.

-Jarrett

**pgibson** · 07-21-2010, 13:43

Hey grouch, welcome.

Let us know what questions you have and we will be happy to help you get set up.

**Savage** · 07-21-2010, 13:51

A great big Mid-West welcome to you.

John

**Tikki-Tavi** · 07-21-2010, 13:52

Welcome aboard Grouch,

I also have a two person tent and a hammock. I use the hammock for solo backpacking or as a retreat for me when my son brings a friend or a cousin with us on a trip. (Actually last trip we took turns spending a night in the hammock because everyone wanted it

).

Read about hammocks, underquilts (I still use a pad) and tarps and you will be good to go. Eventually you may read up on dutch clips, whoopee slings, nacra-biners - when you are buying or making these things, you are addicted.

Have fun.

- Tikki-Tavi

**Triptease** · 07-21-2010, 14:18

Welcome! Where are you in CT? I'm a former New London/ SE CT guy here.

**Poppabear** · 07-21-2010, 16:34

Welcome to the forums. Back packing and hammock hanging are like peanut butter and jelly. They naturally compliment each other. But there are no hard and fast rules for hammocking. I hang no matter what outdoor activity that I do. IE: backpacking, kayaking, bicycle touring, picnicking, car camping etc. etc.

**LostCause** · 07-21-2010, 17:22

Welcome to HF Grouch!

**JayS** · 07-21-2010, 21:29

Welcome. There are some great hanging sites in CT. But beware that in CT state forest campgrounds, it's usually "attach NOTHING to a tree". Rangers made me take down a tarp that had a single line to a tree in a roaring rain storm - they waited and watched. They were nice but firm. But there are a lot of places other than state forests to hang and most of it is gorgeous.

**grouch** · 07-21-2010, 22:37

Thanks for the warm welcome guys! So far, off to a good start here.

Originally Posted by mak52580

Welcome! Where are you in CT? I'm a former New London/ SE CT guy here.

I am in Middletown. Perfectly located if you ask me. I can be in just about any part of the state in 30-40 minutes. Give me three hours and I can be in Vermont, there has got to be places to hang up there.

Originally Posted by JayS

Welcome. There are some great hanging sites in CT. But beware that in CT state forest campgrounds, it's usually "attach NOTHING to a tree". Rangers made me take down a tarp that had a single line to a tree in a roaring rain storm - they waited and watched. They were nice but firm. But there are a lot of places other than state forests to hang and most of it is gorgeous.

Thanks for the heads up about the state forest tree thing. CT does have some pretty places for sure.

**SkyPainter** · 07-26-2010, 16:06

Originally Posted by grouch

Thanks for the warm welcome guys! So far, off to a good start here.

I am in Middletown. Perfectly located if you ask me. I can be in just about any part of the state in 30-40 minutes. Give me three hours and I can be in Vermont, there has got to be places to hang up there.

====> WELCOME from Mass! We just had a nice hang in Vermont, and will be planning another in the Fall during leaf-peeping season. We can easily plan one in CT (where we CAN actually hang!), and have folks that even come up from NJ and PA for hangs!

Hope to hang with ya someday!