In the beginning options were few and, on the whole, Hammock camping information was very dispersed; from Youngblood's site, to the Yahoo Groups, Just Jeff, Speer's book etc. Tinkerers and philosophies blossomed and then ripened into what you see now; but in the beginning the options were few...
For example, if you wanted a gathered end hammock made of camo material you had to make it, or if you wanted a double layer hammock, you had to make it. Speer and Hennessey were the kings, indeed they were the only contenders of any merit for some time. Tarp options were even fewer, but soon we had cat cut tarps of all shapes and sizes, then the Hammock hut and Winter Tarps emerged...
Insulation had always been modified, from pads to frankenpods and everything in between. Your choices were Speer down or pads, then cam along modified sleeping bags, then the KAQ, now we have, well, whatever we want...
Many people saw the light and jumped right in to fill the gaps, JRB among the first, then others, and the list is still growing...
But, what truly amazes me is this: This year my family has decided to MAKE Christmas gifts instead of BUYING Christmas gifts. My idea was to make some hammocks and some gravity filters for the boys/men. As I priced the components here is what I found.
For less money than I can buy the individual components I can buy a Warbonnet Traveler, and I don't hafta sew it. Same thing on the water filter; all tolled it will cost me just over $65, I can buy one for $69. Synthetic underquilt kit for $90 from AHE or the MMG IX for $90. It just blows me away the quality of workmanship (and workwomanship) of these products at the price point.
The newbies have no idea how easy they have it!
I usually DIM (do it myself) because I can do a better job, build something not available or do it cheaper; this just isn't the case anymore for my hammocking needs, and I am glad for it.
It's a great time to be a hammock camper! And thanks to all of you who have stepped out and started businesses for the community; I can spend less time making - and more time using - my gear!
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