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Thread: So-Cal Newbie

  1. #1
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    So-Cal Newbie

    Hey all,

    my name is Brett and I live in San Pedro (L.A. County). I guess I will get into a little background about me first: I grew up in the South Bay (torrance/Redondo Beach) and so have grown up with the ocean. My family has, since I could remember, had a place both in Arrowhead (near Big Bear) and Mammoth. I used to always spend summers at one of these places when not at the beach. I went to college in Humboldt for a few years so as you can see I have lived my life all over California and in the outdoors as much as I could. Between finishing college and now trying to find a teaching position it's been a few years since I have been camping. Some of the other things I love to do is archery, fishing, scuba dive, and free dive.

    I have two dogs one of which has anxiety issues and decided to shred my tent I had finally collected from my parents house. Reading about the hammock camping and backpacking has made me decide I would rather spend money on a hammock system instead of a tent. I have yet to get my system but right now I am a substitute teacher (sporadic work days) and saving up for an engagement ring. I was looking for an economical system and was interested in the ENO doublenest. I liked the doublenest because I am a big guy 6'4 and over 275 and for me and now it is the right price.

    If you don't mind I do have a quick question after my introduction...I am a very hot sleeper. I tend to be comfortable sleeping in lounge pants without a blanket in the low 60s. When I scuba dive I go with a 5mm wetsuit when the water is in the mid to high 50s...the normal wetsuit being 7mm. I am not saying this to be macho or anything like it, just want you to understand how hot I get. I know the wind will be cold when it blows under the hammock but will it really make that much of a difference since I will have a 20 degree bag and be clothed? And yes I do understand the insulation gets crushed and losses most of ability to keep heat trapped. As a side note at the moment I am not looking at winter camping.

    Thanks for the info and look forward from learning from all of you,
    Brett

  2. #2
    Senior Member flatline's Avatar
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    welcome and howdy from high point nc.
    sorry you lost your tent.
    you might want to try a double layer hammock? in mild climates and warmer months you may not need any under insulation. some times a fleece blanket between the layers is plenty of under insulation. you'll just have to do trial and error research and development.
    good luck man.

  3. #3
    Senior Member JohnSawyer's Avatar
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    Welcome! Glad to have another member of the So-Cal branch.

    Don't stress the tent: you won't miss it after a while.

    RE: Temperatures: I'm a cold sleeper, but I think you'll find the need for a minimal pad or underquilt when you get down below 60.

    If you're not winter camping, then you might do OK with a lightweight underquilt like a Insultex model. It all comes down to your intent: Do you want to DIY, or do you have a budget to spend on gear?

    Personally, I have a minimal budget, but enjoy making gear. A Poncho Liner Underquilt (affectionately known as a PLUQ) works well for me down below 50. You can put one together for roughly $30 from a surplus military issue poncho liner.

    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...highlight=PLUQ

    Lots of options. I don't even crawl into my sleeping bag anymore, I just pull it over me, and stick my feet in the end...

    Welcome aboard!

    John
    "Do or do not, there is no try." -- Yoda


  4. #4
    Senior Member Fronkey's Avatar
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    Welcome to HF!

    Fronkey

  5. #5
    Senior Member grampa's Avatar
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    Welcome from another SoCal hanger!

  6. #6
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    welcome to the madness
    I am still 18 but with 52 years of experience !

  7. #7
    New Member Fitz138's Avatar
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    Mazel Tov!
    I'm...ombibulous.

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