The name is James a.k.a. "Rook" from Baltimore. I've just been a visitor of the site for the last year or so, researching, and getting a feel for the community, and I'm glad to finally introduce myself.
What made me a hanger?
Like most, it started with a love of nature and 'the great OD'. Spent a lot of time hiking and camping, but it was actually on a "Faux-Camping RV-at-a-campsite" trip with my old band mates, that I slept in a hammock for the first time. The two guys I was with are Eagle Scouts - thought I should mention that because I know there's a bunch of folks who work with the scouts around the forum. Anyway, I asked where we were sleeping, and they said "Three-to-a-tree." They strung three rope hammocks, one on top of another, between two trees. I slept in the bottom hammock, and honestly, even in those lousy conditions, I loved it.
A few years later while looking for a new tent I googled "Hammock Camping" out of curiosity, and it snowballed from there.
Now I can say that I'm among the ranks of men and women who have experienced first hand why there are signs in front of bridges that say "Bridge May Be Icy," because they've been the bridge. I've shaken ice from my tarp, and tested the value of bottom insulation by spending several nights in snowy woods without it. I've begun the grind to shave off every unused ounce from my pack-weight, mounted O-rings into studs in my room to hang my various hammocks, and started pricing sewing machines to start my own DIY projects.
And I could not be happier.
If there are any Hangs planned for the Maryland/PA area, I'd love to come check out some alternative suspension methods.
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