Brand Spanking New

**Arvis** · 08-02-2010, 22:52

Hi!! I am Arvis and am brand new to hammock camping... so new, in fact, that I am not sure if I am posting this introduction correctly!!!

I am sure that I will try all your patience over the next few weeks / months with all my questions. I have an ENO double nest, slap straps, and a generic tarp. I am investigating the options for tarps, underquilts, top quilts, ridgelines, etc.

I backpack or camp at least once a month year round with my Boy Scouts... I will have to make some decisions pretty quickly before cooler weather (hopefully) prevails.

Thanks... the questions will follow quickly and I will appreciate all of your help / suggestions!!!

**third_string_waterboy** · 08-02-2010, 23:24

Hello Arvis. I am new to the forums as well. One thing I can say about here is that the people are friendly and that there is a plethora of information regarding hanging. Happy reading!

-George

**Ongs-Hat** · 08-03-2010, 01:01

Welcome Arvis and Waterboy! Best advice I can give you is to read a little bit of everything. A lot to learn here and plenty of people to help. Oh and try to make it to a hang.

**dejoha** · 08-03-2010, 01:18

Welcome! I hope the slap straps are working for you; a lot of people say they have too much stretch and are useless. I've done a lot of hammock camping with my troop and even loaned several hammocks during a section hike of the AT. They are really a great way to camp: LNT, off the mucky ground, light, and easy to set up. Well, each person has different experiences, but I've enjoyed it.

For cooler weather, you can get by with regular sleeping pads, including a closed-cell foam pad and even inflatable pads (I've used both successfully ). Under quilts are warmer, easier to use, and more comfortable in my opinion. Ive found that I need to have good warmth under me in a hammock.

**kayaknut01** · 08-03-2010, 02:08

welcome to hf,i really liked my eno set up but no bug net without buying it separate

**Poppabear** · 08-03-2010, 07:28

Welcome to the. Forums! There is lots of great information here. If you can't find what your looking for. Just ask and there is bound to be someone here that will have the answer.

**MacEntyre** · 08-03-2010, 07:32

Welcome, new hanger from Pogo's swamp!

**Hawk-eye** · 08-03-2010, 07:42

Big old NC welcome .... and the best advice I can give is go to Shug's Video's for Nubs and get "edu-a-ma-cated" in the way of the hammock ... and get a few chuckles too!

**brownc** · 08-03-2010, 07:43

Welcome from another GA hanger

**slowhike** · 08-03-2010, 08:23

Welcome Arvis.
I see from your profile that you are the Scout Master of your troop. Thank you for your service to those boys.
I hope you will stick with us here at HF. We have several scout leaders here, demonstrating hammock use for scouts & other leaders.
There are a few things to learn, but once you learn the basics, you will enjoy using your hammock that much better & also be able to help others learn the best ways to hammock.

Like others have said, changing your hammock supports (slap straps) might be a good start. The slap straps may not be a bad concept but one detail has been overlooked by the makers. They are made of nylon which has stretch. In some applications that is a good thing, but not for hammock supports

...Tim