I joined the Forums November 2009 after returning from my first overnight hang at Valens, a local conservation area (car camping). Introduced to the lifestyle by friend and fellow forum member Mick, I was immediately drawn to the Problem solving and DIY side of Hammocking. With the exception of two M.E.C tarps and a recently purchased Winter Incubator (which is awesome, thanks Stormcrow!) my Setup has been mostly handmade. Below is a “then & now” comparison of my first year between the trees:
Nov 21, 2009: Kiri Camping Hammock with a ring buckle mod. Webbing suspension made from my retired climbing gear. UQ made from a Wally World junior sleeping bag, M.E.C Scout tarp. It went down to 0c that night and I was surprising comfortable (based on what I know now).
Nov 21, 2010: WBBB clone with Amsteel ridgeline and whoopie sling suspension. Same Wal-Mart sleeping bag with a rip stop nylon shell and gathered end extensions (closed loops, mass to mass), M.E.C Silnylon Guide Tarp. Around 0c (32f) that night to, a lot more comfortable but it was time for some downy goodness from HammockGear.com.
Over the past year and two months, my DIY projects have included Hammocks & chairs, under quilts, Stands, alcohol stoves (Fancy feast / soda can side and top jets), ridgeline organizers, stuff sacks and with anything you can do with Amsteel (slings, UCRs, drip ring extentions…), the list goes on.
This morning I ran through the mental list of projects on the go and hit a realization:
• Undercover for the Incubator (Going out in February so I might need that)
• Tripod Hammock chair stand (trees are never close enough to the fire pit, kinda makes sense?)
• Collapsible campfire tripod (car camping luxury and the sites have been picked clean for firewood so 3 long straight branches may be a problem)
• Baby food jar Oil lamp, based off the DIY Candle Lantern thread (great thread by the way!) Wait oil…
• Pulk (toboggan/pvc tubes), here’s the point of self induced intervention!
I don’t actually need an oil lamp but I eat 2 jars of Gerber’s apple sauce to get the bottles anyway? I would definitely make one before buying one but I simply don’t need one right now. Pulk! I don’t own Snowshoes or skies? I’m going snowshoeing for the first time in February but I won’t need a Pulk to do it, I should make sure I will snowshoe more then once before I start accessorizing.
Items I really don’t need are sneaking onto my mental list unchallenged! I will keep doing DIY projects, I enjoy it as much as hanging but there must be a reasonable limit. SO! here are the first 5 steps of a possible 12 step program:
Step 1- Admission…Hi, my name is [o]TTeR and I have a DIY addiction!
Side note (since I’ve never posted on the “Introduce yourself” thread) I was into whitewater kayaking and labled “Otter” due to a reputation for seal launching my boat off cliffs (over water, I’m not crazy).
Step 2- Impulsive DIY’ng… Going into the dollar store without a DIY Project but coming out with one means you may not really need what you plan to make.
Step 3- DIY Induced Hording… Stop saving odd plastic items from the recycle bin because you may have a use for them on your next project. I’m definitely saving the LDPE from the new TV but will I really use the plastic mini-tripods they use to protect the pizza from the box lid!
Step 4- Question your DIY Motives… If it costs more to make the item then it does to buy it and the end result is roughly the same, is it really worth doing?
Step 5- DIY Stockpiling… How many alcohol stoves does one Heineken Pot really need? How many Heineken pots does it take to make one cup of coffee?? I did enjoy empting the beer cans though!
Its only 5 but it’s a start!
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