First Trip, Really Nervous

[SunshineHiker]

So I'm going to be heading out on my first Hammock backpacking trip in a week and I'm really nervous about the whole thing. I'm terrified that I'm going to end up on my butt in the middle of the night.

I've got a brand new diy hammock that is 1.9 nylon and a little overkill for my 175lb self. I am using Dynaglide but even the lowest weight limit I've seen listed for those is 25lbs less than my weight and 50 off the most frequent listed weight limit of 225. Even with all the assurances that I should be fine, I still am nervous because I got in it yesterday and no matter how I set it up I still felt like the hammock fabric had a lot of pressure on it. I don't like or use a ridgeline and I've got a fairly short hammock at 7.5-8ft give or take, but I'm pretty short myself. I even have a backup plan if it does fail, I'm taking a full length Gossamer Gear Thinlight pad that I'm using as a pack frame and folded up under my feet at night.

Nothing looks wrong, I just feel like something is off... Is it real or just my nerves getting the best of me?

[HeathC]

Don't be nervous...get out there and enjoy the wilderness. We all it the ground atleast once in our endevours. Just hang low so you won't have very far to fall if you think it might happen. As for the 1.9...you will be fine my friend. I have 1.1 and I'm 230. Go enjoy and don't forget to report back.

[Pipsissewa]

Hey, SH! 7.5-8 feet is crazy short. Most of the ultra-lite commercial hammocks are 9.5 feet and most DIYs are 10, 11 or more feet. Hammock Bliss's ultra-lite is about the same as yours, I guess. I don't know if that effects the "stretch" of the fabric, but 1.9 oz/square yard ripstop does have some stretchiness to it. Just don't put a sharp knee or elbow with all your weight on it in one place. That said, 1.9 oz. ripstop is plenty strong to hold you.

I admire your spirit and encourage you to get out there and have fun!!! Please report back after your trip and remember---the tweeking is never done.

[dejoha]

If you've done your homework and tested in your backyard first, you should be fine in the field. That said, there is nothing wrong with taking some back up suspension, like a pair of larger 7/64 amsteel whoopies even if just for peace of mind. The fabric will be fine. Just don't bring anything sharp or pointed into bed with you

The only true tragedy I had hammock camping was on a week long backpacking trip when I left my strap and Dutch clip on a tree when I stopped for a hammock siesta and lunch earlier in the day. At camp that night I was beside myself. Luckily one of the guys going with me had some mule tape with him that worked perfectly. I am hyper aware of my straps now.

[dakotaross]

I hung over a rock my first night out. I should have had more of your trepidation, but everything held firm. I guess since its DIY, you want to hang in it and squirm around to test it out - you've done that, right?

[Cannibal]

No amount of testing can replace experience. It is terribly important, but not as confidence building as just using the darn thing.

After a couple of trips, you won't even think about it anymore. You aren't alone in the initial fear of failure. I remember my first DIY hammock. The pride and terror eventually melded into a fine midday nap. The confidence will come from experience. To get the experience, you have to get out!

[Owl]

No amount of testing can replace experience. It is terribly important, but not as confidence building as just using the darn thing.

After a couple of trips, you won't even think about it anymore. You aren't alone in the initial fear of failure. I remember my first DIY hammock. The pride and terror eventually melded into a fine midday nap. The confidence will come from experience. To get the experience, you have to get out!

I wanted to heartily agree with this.

When I first started hammock camping...I fiddled and fussed with my setup...was panicked something would go wrong.

Last time I was out, I waited until 10:30 at night before I bothered to hang my hammock. Well after dark, although I had scouted my site during daylight.

Hammock went up, pack was policed up, and I was laid back and cozy reading my nook 10 minutes later. It was the next morning when I gave some thought to how comfortable I've become with this setup.

I'm FAR more comfortable with my ability to hang/camp in my hammock than I ever was with camping in a tent.

Practice and experience = confidence.

[mountainhanger]

fear of the new is normal......i still have it and have done a couple of solo trips and hangs, just finished a three day...way farther then i ever thought possible for starting out.. the hammock tweaking and such is part of the satisfaction of doing what most only give a passing thought too. IMO and hammock camping has enabled my body to do the hiking part GO FOR IT MY FRIEND and ENJOY!

[gordonfreeman]

Congrats and welcome to hammock camping Nothing like arriving at the camp site and finding nothing but rocks and no flat ground!

[Fish<><]

As far as your Whoopies, my brother and I both use dynaglide at around 175 as well. Let me just say I saw him swinging in his like a swingset and not even close to breaking. Other people do not want to take responsibility for someone getting injured. But I'm here to tell you that you won't. Enjoy those dynaglide Whoopies and the piney woods.