Greetings, hammockers. I recently relocated from Memphis, TN to Eugene, OR and found that there is very little to do in these parts besides enjoy the outdoors.
On an impulse I spent ~$200 on a tent from REI, much more on other random equipment, and embarked on a camping trip to the Willamette National Forest. I was hooked. Camping in west Tennessee was never a consideration for me. The Sun, the oppressive heat and humidity, boring terrain, poisonous snakes, thick underbrush, murderous mosquitos... Here in this part of Oregon, I've seen none of those things. I've seen trees taller than I ever imagined, trees which one can actually walk under without needing of a machete. The mosquitos do exist, instead of losing gallons of blood to them, I lose mere droplets. It does get a bit cold at times though, but the cold comes along with a miraculous occurrence: snow!.
Anyway, instead of pursuing all of the various things that the big city I left had to offer, I instead find myself obsessed with camping. First, I started making little wood burning camp stoves out of tin cans... Then I started amassing lighter weight and better gear. Then I started developing survival kits. My latest obsession is hammocks.
I've built my first, out of some overpriced rip-stop nylon from Jo-Ann's (Walmart had nothing!) and paracord. The suspension is continuous line (with short peices of webbing at the trees).
I'm proud of it, but unfortunately I've yet to actually sleep in it. For one thing, it's quite cold now and I lack a cold weather solution. I'd like to make an underquilt, but I'm not sure where to get a good deal on down. Also, I'm concerned about the use of paracord for the suspension. It seems to hold me, but I haven't got it wet and I haven't strung it at a shallow angle. I think I'd like to try replacing the paracord with Spyderline or the like, but I can't find a source for it online where the price of shipping doesn't dominate the cost.
Can anyone recommend a solution? Group buys? Does anyone have some spare materials they could sell me with reasonable shipping? I would appreciate any helpful advice.
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