Big test hang before the trip... not good.

**Bubba** · 08-17-2010, 06:39

Hope your gear works out for you. Have a safe trip!

**myles to go** · 08-17-2010, 07:17

Originally Posted by mgeller

- Bugnet was a mess, started with a ridgeline for it (was hitting tarp), moved it onto the hammock adjustable ridgeline but that was a little low
- Hammock seems a little tight, worried about fitting sleeping bag + mat in it .

I have had no problem with space in my eno double with the bug net. I don't use a separate ridgeline to hold it up , the webbing sewn in the top is plenty strong enough to hold it . My hammock ridgeline is just long enough to keep all the hammock inside the net and I tighten it with a prussic and a carabiner around the base of each whoopiesling .Once the hammock is up you can take the sag out of the net by sliding the prussics out. This method hold the net very tight above the ridgeline on my hammock giving me plenty of space. I also cut the little plastic clips off the top because they are not needed with this method .

**NCPatrick** · 08-17-2010, 08:06

Great job testing before you went! Nice to know what you need to work on before you get there. Sounds like you've gotten some sound advice already. My only advice is just to take your time with your setup once you arrive, there's nothing worse than having to readjust at 2:00am because you rushed through it the first time.

**mgeller** · 08-17-2010, 08:41

Originally Posted by myles to go

I have had no problem with space in my eno double with the bug net. I don't use a separate ridgeline to hold it up , the webbing sewn in the top is plenty strong enough to hold it . My hammock ridgeline is just long enough to keep all the hammock inside the net and I tighten it with a prussic and a carabiner around the base of each whoopiesling .Once the hammock is up you can take the sag out of the net by sliding the prussics out. This method hold the net very tight above the ridgeline on my hammock giving me plenty of space. I also cut the little plastic clips off the top because they are not needed with this method .

Big thanks for the idea... I should have enough parts laying around to do that without buying a thing.

This would also get my DIY gearbag back inside of the bugnet (key problem with putting the adjustable ridgeline outside of the net).

**Savage** · 08-17-2010, 08:54

Always a good idea to test your equipment before you really need to depend on it.

If you are close enough to Midwest Mountaineering, you can get Polyester 1" webbing by the foot at their Thrifty Outfitters. Polyester stretches very little. That is where I get all of my webbing for DIY.

John

**Just Jeff** · 08-17-2010, 09:05

Great idea to test first. I had a Crazy Creek tarp. Worst one I ever tested. Don't have it anymore...

ENO can work great...lots of folks use it and choose not to upgrade b/c they find it comfortable.

When you're ready to save some weight, Warbonnet makes a lighter bug net. If that's a setup you want to stick with (separate bug net), it'll be cheaper to just get a bug net than to buy a fancier hammock. Plus, this way you can save some weight by leaving the bug net at home in the winter.

**Hawk-eye** · 08-17-2010, 09:10

BIG OLD PLUS ONE on the WB bug net ... I like it ... especially the new one with the arched zipper.

**BillyBob58** · 08-17-2010, 10:09

If there is not enough coverage with the tarp, and you don't want to buy an expensive tarp until you know you are going to stick with hammocks, you could always buy a cheap, but big, tarp at WM or Harbor Freight or wherever. You could even buy a relatively small one to use added to the CC tarp when the weather stinks. The two together would give you plenty of length past your hammock RL. Assuming the CC tarp is wide enough. Otherwise, just go with a long and wide enough cheap tarp. It only needs to last one trip while you check this out. I only recommend that because you don't yet want to spend the money for a JRB or OES or others.

Just try to get one that will be tough enough to make it through at least a few storms. I'm not sure how you could know that with out going through a quality manufacturer? The tie outs- especially with grommets - are the most likely trouble spots. But if it rips in the bush, get a small round stone, wrap the tarp edge around and covering the stone, that and tie your line around it. A cheap tarp will provide as much coverage as an expensive one. But a rip in the tarp tie outs could leave you wet and soured on the whole hammock thing. So be ready to do a field repair. Though really, that could possibly happen even with expensive tarps.

**Savage** · 08-17-2010, 10:51

Kelty makes a 9' tarp that works great with my hammock. I got mine for $60.00 at REI. Someone posted earlier that you can get 20% off one item there until the 18th.

John