Bridge hammocks and Ultralight backpacking?

[SunshineHiker]

Oh you lucky dog you, you got two of the experts to comment within the first few post. Good luck to you and your poles. I have been a little on the shy (don't want to say scared cause Im a dude as I pound my chest and give the Tim the toolman Taylor signiture grunt) about using my poles as spreaders.

You're right and boy do I feel honored! In some ways I too feel a bit nervous about using my poles and right now I've got leki sectioned poles that I do not think would do the trick at all. I'd feel much better with the carbon poles.

I'm thinking that big stick looks neat though! It could be used as a hiking stick or as dedicated spreader bars if I wasn't trying to go gram weenie.

If I were to try using my Leki poles would I need to worry about damaging them? They are the Leki Khumbu Women's poles with three sections and I think I can rig something up for the spread to be 21" wide.

[BER]

I have gotten a no frills netless single layer 1.1oz Nylon bridge with dynaglide suspension and dedicated CF spreaders down to ~13oz. Add a cuben tarp and you could be at ~1.25-1.5#. My CF spreaders weigh ~4oz, so if you use hiking poles anyway, you could save a few.

[Callahan]

I have gotten a no frills netless single layer 1.1oz Nylon bridge with dynaglide suspension and dedicated CF spreaders down to ~13oz. Add a cuben tarp and you could be at ~1.25-1.5#. My CF spreaders weigh ~4oz, so if you use hiking poles anyway, you could save a few.

Is there a link to your build on this BER? Would be interested in seeing how you put it together!

Cheers

[SunshineHiker]

BER - Sounds like a sweet setup! Where did you buy your dedicated spreaders from?

[BER]

Is there a link to your build on this BER? Would be interested in seeing how you put it together!

Cheers

Callahan, the hammock was described here. It weighs just over 13 oz when I use my CF spreaders that I described in this thread. Sorry, one mistake I listed above, the fabric was 1.6oz polyester.

[Callahan]

Callahan, the hammock was described here. It weighs just over 13 oz when I use my CF spreaders that I described in this thread.

Perfect! Thanks!

[SunshineHiker]

Ber - After looking at the pics your bridge looks pretty close to what I want to make! Living here in GA I really don't need draft blockers on the ends but I am looking for something that might have a little bit more sag but not much. I think all I would have to do to get more sag would be to shorten the spreader length from what you have. Does that sound right?

[BER]

Ber - After looking at the pics your bridge looks pretty close to what I want to make! Living here in GA I really don't need draft blockers on the ends but I am looking for something that might have a little bit more sag but not much. I think all I would have to do to get more sag would be to shorten the spreader length from what you have. Does that sound right?

I'm not sure. When I think sag, I think shortening the end to end distance as with a gathered end hammock. Shortening the spreaders will give you more depth, a deeper bathtub so to speak...and potentially more shoulder squeeze....though admittedly I like my bridges quite a bit shallower side to side than some.

[SunshineHiker]

Yes, that's what I was thinking about when I said sag. For most people it means shoulder squeeze but I'm a side sleeper so it doesn't really bother me. In fact something with a bit of a higher side wall tends to just work a little easier as a side sleeper. At the same time I'd like to make it as shallow as is comfy for weight savings so I will probably snag some ideas from your design!

[Jazilla]

Yes, that's what I was thinking about when I said sag. For most people it means shoulder squeeze but I'm a side sleeper so it doesn't really bother me. In fact something with a bit of a higher side wall tends to just work a little easier as a side sleeper. At the same time I'd like to make it as shallow as is comfy for weight savings so I will probably snag some ideas from your design!

Try less of a curve on the edge. I made mine 6" in and a second one 4" in. The second one feels a lot deeper. Both hammocks are 54" wide with spreaders at 36".