Hey guys! I'd like to start off saying that your forum is fantastic. Everyone is so helpful and patient!
Me and the Bloke have had two hammock camping trips so far, both in the same woods in the South East UK. We got a good deal from Neil at Tenth Wonder Hammocks for our starter kit thing. One XL hammock for me (because I'm super tall for a girl) and an extra wide XL for Him- 6"7 rugby player doesn't really fit many things, especially the bog standard hammock we borrowed from the Explorer Scouts on our first mission! We also got a 3m x 3m tarp to cover the both of us instead of two separate tarps. You'll see why in the pics. Also got a Storm Kettle (which He had lots of fun with) and some extra bits and bobs like para cord and some tree huggers to try out- didn't actually use them this time though.
So here are some pictures from our second outing!
My little 3-way ridge line
Siberian hitch one one end
Some triangle knot I learned from the Explorer Scout leader
I had some Technicals Merino wool thermals on, I was using a 3-4 Season down Eurohike sleeping bag, and with an old 2-3 season eurohike as an over-the-hammock-blanket- very effective! (I am a very cold sleeping, and our first night out in the hammocks the previous week I just had the mat and the down sleeping bag, no thermals, and I didn't get a wink of sleep because I was so cold. I took extra measures to ensure my comfort with the over-blanket!) I also had a self inflating eurohike sleeping mat. I sound like a eurohike ***** but I bought most of my kit before I started working at Millets/Blacks so I was unaware of how crap EH is. However I haven't had the money (ontop of buying the hammock gear) to update any. I've just bought a 4-5 season "Expedition" Snugpak sleeping bag, and maayybe a bog standard thermarest.
Bloke was using my XXL 3-4 season EH sleeping bag, and a foam mat- alot less than me and he reported he was very warm.
Definitely hooked now. We are going up to his house in the Midlands next week so we hope to take the kit up with us and find a nice spot along the canal. I'm not fearing the UK cold winter yet, I will be prepared!
Edit: I have had contrasting advice on what angle to hang at, someone said that the "banana" shape is uncomfy so try to hang as straight and as taught as possible, and other research suggesting that the 30 degree rule is better. I chose, because of the tree distance, and lack of super in-depth research, to hang straight and taught. It was very comfy, but next time, if the tree distance allows me, I'll hang a bit more banana-y ^^
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The Bushcraft meet sounds good, though I think those dates clash with plans next week. If there is another one in the UK with a little more notice I'll certainly have a gander!
Originally Posted by Beansprout
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