Howdy

[whayneneal]

Hi everyone,

First off, I'd like to thank all of you for all the valuable information on this site. I'm sure I haven't seen 10% of it. I had no idea how involved all of this would be. I've been poking around the site for about a month now after running across Sgt. Rock's website and of course Shug's youtube videos while researching ultra-light backpacking. I have been camping and backpacking since my Boy Scout days long ago. And like others, I have no idea why using a hammock never occurred to me. It's brilliant! As I have gotten older, I have developed arthritis and getting in and out of a backpacking tent, and sleeping on the ground had become somewhat like torture despite all the nice new air pads.

My girlfriend got me a Hennessy Expedition and I tried it several times. It's okay. However, being the gearhead that I am, that wasn't good enough so I have now ordered a Traveler with a bug net from Brandon. I like the idea of having a convertible hammock. I want to thank Opie for his help and products as well. I'll be converting to a Whoopie suspension system with Dutch clips and biners. I like being able to change the lengths of my slings without changing the whole system and separating a wet suspension system from a dry hammock. I have also ordered a Winter Incubator and Burrow from Adam that I'm very anxious to use. I don't like a pad. I've been using a Big Agnes bag and pad. Meanwhile, I'm trying to decide exactly which tarp I want. I'm leaning toward a Spinn 10x12 cat cut from OES, but I'm having difficulty reaching Brian. I want some custom work done on it. If anyone has any other suggestions for tarps, my mind is still open.

So thanks again everyone. I have enjoyed becoming a member of your forum and look forward to participating in some hangs in the near future when I get my whole rig together. I'm a true Ewok now. I have been assimilated.

P.S. I forgot to thank Just Jeff and Professor Hammock. Their website and videos have also been very helpful.

[cataraftgirl]

Welcome. Love the Aussies. I have a mini Aussie myself. I have two OES tarps that are really nice (MacCat deluxe & 12 X 15 Cat Cut). It can be difficult to get ahold of Brian at times, but his products are very good. He's a grad student I believe & pretty busy. Other HF folks seem to like the WB tarps, and Paul at AHE has come out with some nice tarps as well.
Isn't it nice to wake up in the outdoors without a sore back or sore shoulders? Wish I'd discovered the hammock sooner. Could have saved a bunch of money on Paco pads & Thermarests. When the weather's good, there's nothing better than sleeping under the stars. Now I can do it in comfort.
KJ

[Shug]

Shug says Hey and Whooooo Buddy!

[KefWalker]

Welcome whayneneal--there's a lot of great info here and folks to help get you started. I'll add my vote for Warbonnet's tarps--just got a SuperFly and it's really well made.

[bigbamaguy]

Welcome to HF from Bama..........don't let the info overload you and congratulations on the gear so far. You can't go wrong with an OES tarp.

[Poppabear]

Welcome to HF!

[MAD777]

Welcome to HF! It sounds like you are off to a good start!

[whayneneal]

Hey everybody, just ordered a Spinn UL Mac Cat Deluxe with pole mod and pullouts. I have everything ordered now the waiting. Ugh........not very good at waiting.