New guy with 3 main questions

[ProfessorPoke]

I've been interested in hammocks for backpacking for a while. I'm a 6'4", 49 year old with a lot of camping experience and some backpacking. The three big questions I have are:

1. Are hammocks really good for bad backs? I've had three back surgeries (doing great now) and would love an alternative to sleeping on the ground.

2. What's available for a big guy like me?

3. I plan to go to Philmont again - this time with my daughter. They don't allow hammocks to hang from trees. So, is there such a thing as a hammock stand for a backpacking hammock?

Looking forward to hearing from the "pros!"

[Fronkey]

1. I have heard of people who have switched to hammocks and their back has felt much better. However, I would suggest testing it out first before you go at it for good.

2. You actually have plenty of options out there. But, I would go with a double layered hammock like the Warbonnet Blackbird.

3. Some people hang their hammocks from their vehicles. But, if you do some searching you will find some insane places people have hung their hammocks from. We are very innovative hangers here.

Welcome to HF!

Fronkey

Fronkey

[Bomber]

Welcome aboard PP

1. I have back surgery to, and the only place i can sleep now is my hammock(but try it out first - we are all different).

2. I'm also 6'4, i have plenty of room in a warbonnet, just stay away from ultra small hammocks(again try it out..... best way to find you comfort limit).

3. I have no experience in this, but this might be a solution if backpacking(practice at home first!):

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...4_original.jpg

[GrizzlyAdams]

I've been interested in hammocks for backpacking for a while. I'm a 6'4", 49 year old with a lot of camping experience and some backpacking. The three big questions I have are:

1. Are hammocks really good for bad backs? I've had three back surgeries (doing great now) and would love an alternative to sleeping on the ground.

I believe you've come to the right place...a number of folks report being able to sleep in hammocks without back trouble that ordinary beds give them.

2. What's available for a big guy like me?

Warbonnet BlackBird is a very roomy hammock. So is the Hennessy Explorer Deluxe, and the Tree-to-Tree Switchback.

3. I plan to go to Philmont again - this time with my daughter. They don't allow hammocks to hang from trees. So, is there such a thing as a hammock stand for a backpacking hammock?

Cool! I've been to Philmont. Hope to go again when the youngest son is of an age and we can get on a crew.

But you raise a very challenging question. Hammock stand that you carry. Some folks have reported success at using single hiking poles at each end, in way of this report. Also read a report of someone who tried that, and snapped a pole. If such a method could be made to work I'll look to using a couple of these hiking staffs, or perhaps some hefty bamboo. That's actually the easy part. The hard part is fastening the stand down using only stakes (unless somehow you can convince your ranger to let you attach to the base of trees with webbing. I'm assuming not...) You need deep ones and you need several per end to distribute the pulling force. That loaded hammock is going to be trying very hard to pull up the stakes. If you're in rocky ground it's going to be very tough.

I can imagine a stand that has inverted V legs at each end, about 4' high, and supports a center pole that is 9' or 10' long. Some lines and stakes would be needed to keep it from toppling over, but all the compression force would be taken by the center pole. That's a lot of tubing. Maybe the single leg idea could be applied here, with some kind of center pole. That's still a lot of pole to carry.

The same guy who makes the monster hiking staffs makes an interesting looking cot. Keeps you off the ground...

Enjoy your trek!

[Syb]

Welcome ProfessorPoke. There is a ton of great info here for all your questions. The pro you refer to (Grizz) has weighed in and the hammock foo is strong with him. In Grizz We Trust.

[flatline]

hey ProfessorPoke, welcome to HF.
anti-gravity taught here.

[ShadowAlpha]

Welcome ProfessorPoke!

regarding back probs. my lower back used to flair up quite often. has not happened for a while. I slept in a hammock last night for 7.5 hrs. I used to sleep 4-5hrs and would be waking up - 6hrs sleep was the max. now I average 7hrs sleeping straight thru the night.

enjoy the forum