First Time

**kelly223us** · 10-05-2011, 16:06

My HH came in the mail on Monday... Tuesday I hiked the Florida Trail leaving the tent at home. Looking for a suitable camping spot was a lot different than when I had the tent. Much easier. After setup between the trees, and dinner, I had a great nights rest. Actually, I didn't wake until 8:00 this morning! My HH was much more comfortable than sleeping in my tent. One thing I didn't like was the view. There was none. In the tent I can look out easily, but in the hammock the tarp blocked everything. Total darkness. I'm not fussing, I had my flashlight, and being so comfortable and a little tired from the hike I fell asleep quickly.
I will have to invest in a new sleeping bag. I got a little chilly before morning. It was in the 50's F. here last night. Being from Florida it doesn't take much to get me cold.
I've been here reading and studying for a few weeks now. I'm glad to be a part of a great group of people who seem eager to help when help is needed. I'll post some photos soon of my camping experiences.

**bigbamaguy** · 10-05-2011, 16:12

Glad you had a great first time out in the hammock. Try seperating the tarp from the hammock and on nights where there is no rain forcast just sleep under the stars. Look at the cottage industry guys that make Underquilts. you cannot go wrong with a UQ/TQ combination.

With that being said what type of HH and is it top of bottom entry?

**kelly223us** · 10-05-2011, 16:21

I got the Expedition with the Hex Rainfly 70D. It's top entry. I think I would feel a little claustrophobic in the bottom entry.
Thanks for the information......I'll check out the Underquilts.

**Cannibal** · 10-05-2011, 17:21

The view is all about tarp configuration. A favorite around here is called "porch-mode". It's when you take a couple of sticks, or hiking poles, and prop up one side of the tarp like a flat roof. It allows you to look out and see without obstruction. Gets a bit tricky during a storm, but luckily those don't come around every night.

One of my most favorite nights in a hammock was on the Florida Trail at a place the locals called the "Hot Dog Stand"; I have no idea why they call it that but that's what they call it. It is up in Ocala National Forest. I sat in my hammock and watched the day slowly turn into night and watched all the daytime critters scurrying for home as the nighttime critters came out to play. I had a family of skunks come walking by my hammock. Mama, or Daddy, stood and stared at me while the kids walked along behind the parent. Once the kids were clear, the parent skunk started walking backwards away from me without taking its eyes off of me. Heard an owl symphony as they talked about their day, or the weather, couldn't really tell. When I was ready for bed, I just flipped the tarp down and caught some zzzzzs. It was just one of those perfect evenings in the wild.

Congrats on your hammock! I hope it sees many magical nights.

**wyleone** · 10-05-2011, 19:03

Welcome From Mobile, AL. Glad you like hanging, you found the place where everyone agrees with that. I am not familiar with the HH intimately but If you hang your tarp up 6 in higher than normal you can get an awesome view in the morning as well.

**Avenger** · 10-06-2011, 06:20

Welcome to the forum from west Texas.

**Bubba** · 10-06-2011, 06:29

Welcome from Canada! As bigbamaguy suggested, definitely look into a top quilt/under quilt combo if you are already looking to buy a new sleeping bag.

**raiffnuke** · 10-06-2011, 06:34

Welcome to HF from Mass.

**Syb** · 10-06-2011, 11:31

Welcome from the Garden state!

**MAD777** · 10-06-2011, 11:53

Welcome from south Florida!

You won't want to miss the big Florida hang in January. You'll be able to meet most of the members in Florida as well as quite a few northern members trying to escape winter's grasp. It is a large campground affair with lots of Dutch Ovens and diversions such as kayaking/canoeing. Here's a couple of links...
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=38422

This is the attendee list so far. Go to the bottom of the last page for the latest...
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...t=38797&page=3

Here is a link to a short hiking affair next month near Arbuckle Lake near Frostproof...
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=39279