Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 24
  1. #1
    New Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Rockford,MI
    Posts
    3

    Michigander...checking in.

    Greetings! Where to start!? I am a total rookie in the hiking/backpacking/hammock world and am excited to learn and get started. I missed out on the backpacking that my dad and 2 brothers did in the porcupines and recently,for some reason...I want to do it. My goal is to go with my 2 sons(5&2) someday, but need to get a little experience under my belt first. Lots of info to delve into...any recommended books to look at to get started? Thanks

    Kevin

  2. #2
    Senior Member sr1355's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Jackson, MI
    Hammock
    DREAM HAMMOCK
    Tarp
    UGQ H11/12 WD11
    Insulation
    UGQ TQ/UQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies w/ ET's
    Posts
    2,553
    Images
    103
    Welcome for cold and windy Jackson Michigan.... Great group of folks on here and a great group of MI Hangers as well...
    Happy Hangin'

    Paul - Master Fabric Welder @ UGQ

    >>>VISIT UGQ OUTDOOR HERE<<<

    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

  3. #3
    Member Kalmed's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Three Rivers, Michigan
    Hammock
    DIY Hennessy, WBBB
    Tarp
    DIY Winter Tarp,
    Insulation
    Pad/Downy Goodness
    Suspension
    Whoopies
    Posts
    88

    Welcome

    Greetings from Southwest Michigan. I too am just getting back to the woods and playing lots of catch up for years lost. There are two books I have found to be vary valuable this year. Im sure there are many more that will be suggested here.

    The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide: Tools and Techniques to Hit the Trail by Andrew Skurka. Skurka does a nice job of brining you up too speed on current technology. At the end of each chapter he suggests his picks on equipment which dont revolve around the fanciest or most costly solutions.

    The Ultimate Hang: An Illistrated Guide to Hammock Camping by Derek Hansen. Hansen does a wonderful job or blending hammock camping technique with visual diagrams. He has shared in a few threads here on HF ...

    Again, Welcome and enjoy the journey....

    Gordon

  4. #4
    Member wlaroche's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Minneapolis,MN
    Hammock
    HH Exp Deluxe / DIY
    Tarp
    HG Cuben Hex
    Insulation
    DIY UQ / pad
    Suspension
    Whoopie sling
    Posts
    82
    Welcome to the group. I would look up some of Shugs videos. He has some just getting started videos out there. Start with this one, and just keep watching.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7NZV...feature=relmfu

  5. #5
    New Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Rockford,MI
    Posts
    3
    Quote Originally Posted by wlaroche View Post
    Welcome to the group. I would look up some of Shugs videos. He has some just getting started videos out there. Start with this one, and just keep watching.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7NZV...feature=relmfu
    I did some searching on youtube about a week ago and up popped Mr. Shug, I have watched all of his vids, the ones about his actual hikes got me even more interested in doing it.

  6. #6
    canoebie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Edwardsburg, MI
    Hammock
    Blackbird XL
    Tarp
    UGQ Winter Dream
    Insulation
    HG UQ and TQ
    Suspension
    straps and buckles
    Posts
    2,823
    Welcome from another Michiganian, where the trees are just the right height.

    Lots of opportunities in this state. Read a bit and just get out and do it. Mother Nature teaches. This site is a wealth of information. Enjoy.
    “Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?”
    ― Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

  7. #7
    Senior Member gargoyle's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Muskegon MI
    Hammock
    G-Bird II/Bridge
    Tarp
    Ogee tarp
    Insulation
    DIY TQ DIY Down UQ
    Suspension
    whoopies
    Posts
    6,686
    Images
    45
    Practice, practice, practice.
    Once you get your kit (hammock, tarp, insul.) together and feel secure about the set-up, spend some time in the backyard and see how it performs overnight.

    Then try it in the real woods.
    Keep it fun for the kiddos. And comfortable. Kids either love camping or take some time to detox from technology. Car camping with wee ones works best. Cold kids make for grumpy kids.
    Welcome from just south of you.

  8. #8
    New Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Williamston, MI
    Hammock
    WBBB, Hennessy Explorer
    Tarp
    Ripstop for now
    Insulation
    DIY topquilt
    Suspension
    strap &amp; carabiner
    Posts
    5
    Welcome from another Michigan hanger. Although hammocking (is that even a word?) can be done comfortably in cold weather, it might be wise to wait for more ideal conditions to start the little ones out. Even then it's a good idea to have a plan "B" in case of trouble. Once everyone is thoroughly "hooked", it's fairly smooth sailing. (or hammocking)

  9. #9
    New Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Williamston, MI
    Hammock
    WBBB, Hennessy Explorer
    Tarp
    Ripstop for now
    Insulation
    DIY topquilt
    Suspension
    strap &amp; carabiner
    Posts
    5
    Sheesh..sorry Gargoyle. If I'd paid more attention, I would have seen you already said what I just wrote.

  10. #10
    Senior Member Redoleary's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Pennfield Twp, MI
    Hammock
    DIY gathered end
    Tarp
    Hinterland gear
    Insulation
    down bag
    Suspension
    strap &amp; E.T.'s
    Posts
    3,910
    Images
    70
    Welcome from Marshall MI!
    Good luck,
    RED

    My Youtube Channel

    Deep peace of the running wave to you.
    Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
    Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
    Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
    Deep peace without end to you.
    adapted from - ancient gaelic runes

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. Michigander and proud
      By quigleyman in forum Introduce Yourself
      Replies: 25
      Last Post: 06-06-2012, 12:12
    2. Another Michigander
      By slosteppin in forum Introduce Yourself
      Replies: 12
      Last Post: 06-04-2012, 14:57
    3. Greetings from yet another Michigander
      By nicholasyax in forum Introduce Yourself
      Replies: 10
      Last Post: 09-24-2010, 09:06
    4. Another new michigander
      By Mountainclimber in forum Introduce Yourself
      Replies: 11
      Last Post: 01-09-2010, 16:58
    5. Another Michigander
      By patrickbdunlap in forum Introduce Yourself
      Replies: 8
      Last Post: 01-07-2010, 21:22

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •