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  1. #1
    New Member s2sailor's Avatar
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    My Journey to Hammockville

    I would like to ask some questions about an upcoming trip but since it is likely bad form to jump in without a proper introduction, here goes...

    I'm from the Raleigh, NC area and have been involved with boyscouts for many years. I'm the backpacking guy in the troop and had progressed to the ULA pack, alcohol stove and Tarptent stage. The older I get the less I want to carry. I thoroughly enjoyed Philmont and Northern Tier, and about this time last year the boys had me signed up for SeaBase ... I was dreading it. I've done a lot of beach camping with the family but I just don't handle heat well so we tend to go during the cooler months. The Florida keys in July was not something I was looking forward to. After speaking with others that had gone before me it was recommended that I sleep in a hammock. The scouts have brought hammocks on trips before but they were mainly for day use. I knew little about them so I hit the Internet for info and it wasn't long before I discovered this forum and Shug's videos.

    I was intrigued by what I read and dove right in buying a 1.1 double WBBB. I was also a little concerned since I'm a side sleeper. The usual drill for me in a tent is I fall asleep on one side, wake up about an hour later with that side numb then flip to the other side, sleep for an hour and repeat. I'm very stiff and sore when I get up. By day 3 I'm usually exhausted enough to sleep tolerably well. I've increased the pad thickness over the years which has helped but even the Big Agnes pad doesn't prevent the problem.

    Sleeping in a hammock did require some trial and error and adjustments but the one thing I noticed from day 1 is that I was never sore or stiff in any way ... ever, which is not the case even in my bed at home. Numbness is never an issue either. Hammock sleeping at Seabase was wonderful. I've continued on, accumulating quilts, whoopee slings, a nicer, lighter weight tarp and have not looked back. My low over the winter was 15 deg. I enjoy backpacking more than ever and am more comfortable doing it.

    Thanks to all who contribute their time, ideas and encouragement on this forum.

    John

  2. #2
    Senior Member
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    Welcome to HF!

  3. #3
    Senior Member angrysparrow's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by s2sailor View Post
    I hit the Internet for info and it wasn't long before I discovered this forum and Shug's videos....

    ..I enjoy backpacking more than ever and am more comfortable doing it.
    Your intro sounds like a hammock success story.

    Welcome to the forum.
    “I think that when the lies are all told and forgot the truth will be there yet. It dont move about from place to place and it dont change from time to time. You cant corrupt it any more than you can salt salt.” - Cormac McCarthy

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Formerly 'TroutEhCuss'
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    Welcome to the family!
    I like big hammocks - I cannot like.

  5. #5
    gunner76's Avatar
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    Welcome to the madness

    Bring your troop down to hike and camp (and hang) along the Neusiok Trail down here on the coast. I know other troops from that area come down here to hike and camp. Warning, this is a trail best hiked in the winter time (Oct -April)
    I am still 18 but with 52 years of experience !

  6. #6
    New Member s2sailor's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by gunner76 View Post
    Welcome to the madness

    Bring your troop down to hike and camp (and hang) along the Neusiok Trail down here on the coast. I know other troops from that area come down here to hike and camp. Warning, this is a trail best hiked in the winter time (Oct -April)
    Thanks for the welcome folks.

    Gunner, the Neusiok is a very nice trail, a great winter hike. I spent an enjoyable night with my family at Copperhead landing last Christmas break. I had not heard of the trail before until I saw the link in one of your notes several months ago and put it on my list to try. Thanks for the pointer I haven't brought the troop yet but will at some point. I'll let another adult go on the backpack while I slip away and set up in the trees along the Neuse beach

  7. #7
    Senior Member dragon360's Avatar
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    Welcome to the HF from Canada!
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  8. #8
    Senior Member Knotty's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by s2sailor View Post
    ...I was also a little concerned since I'm a side sleeper. The usual drill for me in a tent is I fall asleep on one side, wake up about an hour later with that side numb then flip to the other side, sleep for an hour and repeat. I'm very stiff and sore when I get up. By day 3 I'm usually exhausted enough to sleep tolerably well. I've increased the pad thickness over the years which has helped but even the Big Agnes pad doesn't prevent the problem.

    Sleeping in a hammock did require some trial and error and adjustments but the one thing I noticed from day 1 is that I was never sore or stiff in any way ... ever, which is not the case even in my bed at home...
    John
    Amen to that. Welcome aboard.
    Knotty
    "Don't speak unless it improves the silence." -proverb
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  9. #9
    Senior Member Fronkey's Avatar
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    Welcome to HF!

    Fronkey

  10. #10
    Senior Member sswens's Avatar
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    Welcome To Hf And HaPpy Hanging!

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