Hello, allow me to introduce myself! My name is Scott and I am a student in Gainesville, FL. I have been camping all my life, but always in a tent on the ground. It wasn't until recently that I decided to start taking longer backpacking trips and started looking for ways to lighten my load.
Today, my ultralight backpacking solution arrived today in the form of an ultralight "the travel hammock" hammock. The thing weighs a whopping 10oz. and cost $20. I also bought some flat tree straps by Hammock Bliss to go along with it.
I was eager to test it out, so I trekked out to a creek in the woods by my house and found a suitable pair of trees. I decided to pitch the hammock over the creek just for grins. After a few triple half-hitch knots and about 2 minutes, the hammock was hanging and ready to go. I was nervous at first, but the second I laid down I realized that I will never use a tent again- it was so comfortable! The hammock supported my body well in any position. I tried lying straight, diagonal, on my side, etc. and love it all. I especially like that I can sit up and that I can lie with my legs over the sides.
I thought that a hammock would be less comfortable and less stable than lying on the ground, but I was willing to try for the price and the lightweight factor. However, I don't think I will look at a tent the same way I used to. Tonight I am going to try pitching the hammock in the backyard and lying in it with my sleeping bag. It won't get below 60F tonight, so I think I will be okay. I'll post tomorrow on the results.
a new convert,
Scott
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