First Backpacking trip w/ hammock

[SkullsFB]

Last weekend my oldest Lillian who is 8 Hiked 5.5 miles into Big Dominguez Canyon for her first night in a hammock. Up to this point I had slept one night in a hammock. We found the largest cedar tree I have seen and hung both our hammocks in it. The modified Hennessy hammocks blended in so well we had one woman in the middle of camp before she realized she was walking into a campsite. This was my 4th trip into this canyon although we did not see any desert big horn sheep this trip we did find new petroglyphs. We had 2 different groups tell us we were within 1/2 a mile from a group of 30 bighorn, but by that point it had been a big day and I wasn't going to push her.

I am convinced the hammock is the most comfortable fair weather sleeping system I have ever been in.

I am sure it can be a comfortable cold weather system too but that requires an additional investment of $$ :-(

Daniel

[lubbockhammockguy]

Thanks for sharing, I'm glad that y'all had a good time.

[Acer]

Wecome from Indiana,,your first post is a very good one and loved the pics, Enjoy your hanging. Spent alittle bit of time in Montrose Colo some long time ago,,great hiking there.

[RootCause]

Wonderful first post: a trip report with great photography!

That tree is awesome! Nearly as purty as your smilin' girl.

Congratulations on a successful trip, bringing along your daughter, and knowing when enough is enough. What a great thing you describe! I started my 6-year old girl tent camping last summer at age 5.

This year: we move up to hammocks!

[RootCause]

Wait a minute: you joined in December 2010, and made your first post in April 2012? Dude, that takes lurking to a whole new level!

[Texas longhorns]

Great for year

[SkullsFB]

Wait a minute: you joined in December 2010, and made your first post in April 2012? Dude, that takes lurking to a whole new level!

Sometimes raising families means daydreaming about new purchases far too long. That and I was concerned about being cold in the hammock especially considering most of my time in the backcountry is in the alpine setting where I've woken to 3" of unexpected snow.

Lilly started with a very short tent camping trim at 4 the length and altitude have gone up since then. For those considering taking kids put a handful of their favorite sweet treats in your pocket bonking or breaking the fun barrier isn't fun 7 miles from the trailhead. Also kids are very resilient a little candy food and rest goes a long way to improving a souring attitude. Do not overload a young kid, this was the first year she has carried her sleeping pad warm layers sleeping bag water headlamp and hammock. Stop often to chase lizards pick flowers yell echoes watch birds make a nest. Lilly normally brings her ipod and a stuffed animal too.

Daniel

[Shug]

Right goodie of a trip there. Bonding with the daughter....she'll always remember those fine times tree dangling.
Shug

[STinGa]

... Do not overload a young kid ... Stop often to chase lizards pick flowers yell echoes watch birds make a nest.
Daniel

Good words to live by. When my teen and tween went mountain biking with me when they were younger, the rides were about turtle hunting, rock skipping, and lunches on the trail; not about distances.

Get them addicted to the outdoors when they are young.

It looks like you had a great time.

STinGa

[Fronkey]

You and Lillian did an awesome job. Now you're hooked and I'm sure we'll see some more of your trip reports in the future. Petroglyphs are really cool!

Fronkey