First night in field - Observations and a question

[rock_rat]

Well after a few months of planning and learning (and of course saving and buying) I finally had a chance to use my new hammock system (ENO DN, Speer winter tarp, JRB Hudson River underquilt, old slumberjack mummy bag) overnight in the field. We spent Friday night in Cheat Canyon and I was very happy with the performance. I did pitch the hammock a little to tightly which seemed to not leave much room to get a good angle while I was laying down but after a bit of fiddling I slept like a baby. My first observation is that mummy bags are, shall we say inconvenient in a hammock. I'm definitely going to need a top quilt. Second the little attached bag on the Hammock is kind of a pain with suspension system attached. I'm thinking of using a Black Bishop style bag with a hole in the bottom. Which brings me to my question. Can I just cut the bag off the ENO or do I need to do some sort of stitching or heat sealing to keep it from fraying and or ripping. I figure since it's stitched on it shouldn't hurt anything to just cut it off near the seem but I thought I would ask the experts.

Here is a link to my photos from the trip:
http://sahdowx.com/wp/wp-gallery2.php?g2_itemId=1126

[Mule]

Cut it off and seal with a lighter to stop fraying. You'll be fine. Mule

[slowhike]

yeah, i would think the stitching that holds it to the hammock would keep it from fraying but so far, but like skinner said, heating the cut edge (carefully) w/ a lighter might not be a bad idea.
i kinda like having a place to put stuff from my pockets & my headlamp though<G>.

nice pictures from the trip.

[gunn parker]

A fellow Geocacher I see

[rock_rat]

Thanks, I'll just seal it with a lighter then. Using the pocket to stow stuff is a good idea. I may leave the pocket and just cut off the compression straps.


gunn parker
Yep, A fellow cacher here. That's actually how I found the area we camped at. I had tried for a cache named Beaverhole Cache a few years ago but the owner had recently updated the cords and made a type O and I couldn't find the cache. I figured it was a good place to spend an evening and a chance to avenge my self on that cache.

[froldt]

Yep, A fellow cacher here. That's actually how I found the area we camped at. I had tried for a cache named Beaverhole Cache a few years ago but the owner had recently updated the cords and made a type O and I couldn't find the cache. I figured it was a good place to spend an evening and a chance to avenge my self on that cache.

Looks like you had a good time avenging yourself!
Yet another cacher here...

[headchange4u]

The bags on the ENO's are sewn on. You can use a seam ripper to remove the bag and then you will be able to reuse it.

[rock_rat]

The bags on the ENO's are sewn on. You can use a seam ripper to remove the bag and then you will be able to reuse it.

Thanks another good idea.

[BillyBob58]

Your camp looks like a great spot. It doesn't look like your hammock is pulled too tight though, at least not by much.

[Hooch]

Two words: structural ridgeline. It maks all the difference. Once I got one added to my hammock, I can't imagine using my ENO without one.