Do You Like Pickles?

**Spokes** · 06-22-2016, 16:17

I do....... Zesty garlic.

Hello Everyone,

This is Spokes from North Carolina. I don't own a "real" hammock setup yet and figured it best to join this forum and learn more before investing. You guys have quite a reputation for steering people straight when it comes to the hanging lifestyle! Can't wait to learn from the best.

I'm a former AT thru-hiker (Class of '09 NOBO), cross country bicyclist, and most recently a long distance sea kayaker. A buddy and I completed a 1515 mile circumnavigation of the entire coast of Florida paddling kayaks from the Alabama border, around the Big Bend, down to Key West, then up the east coast finishing at the Florida-Georgia border. The trip took 4 months.

I'm slowly getting back into hiking and desperately want to transition from tent to hammock while keeping weights down. Looking forward to meeting everyone.

Cheers,

Spokes

**TrailSlug** · 06-22-2016, 17:31

Welcome to the Hammock forums. Jump in the air is cool (in at least 3 seasons). Find a group hand and see if any of the setups tickle your pickle (couldn't resist).

**Foxpoop** · 06-22-2016, 19:20

Welcome from Mills River, NC. Ask plenty of questions, try some hammock stuff. Experiment with different hammocks. You will eventually find the right balance of weight/comfort/ease of setup for your needs. And then you will experiment some more just because it's so darn fun.

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**akaCat** · 06-22-2016, 19:37

Can't stand 'em. Or pretty much anything else with vinegar.

Welcome from Raleigh! Like TrailSlug said, a group hang is a great place to see different setups.

**ecologito** · 06-22-2016, 19:40

Welcome from Charlotte (near Mint Hill)

**T- Minus** · 06-22-2016, 21:17

Fried or dill, and like them no bigger around than a banana.

Welcome.

**Kroma** · 06-22-2016, 21:35

yes, I do enjoy dill pickle slices on some sandwiches.

I was introduced to camping hammocks by ENO advertising and their mass availability at big box sporting goods stores. I bought the DoubleNest. I thought it was awesome. Until I tried to sleep the night in it. I came to these very forums trying to figure out what was wrong. Within minutes I had multiple people telling me...the ENO is too short...you need to try an 11 footer. 11 footer? I had never heard of such a thing. It didn't take long before I was familiar with the product inventory of Dutchware, Warbonnet Outdoors, and Dream Hammock. Now my eyes were opened to what camping hammocks were supposed to be. I took the plunge on a Warbonnet Blackbird XLC as my first non-ENO hammock. There was a decent learning curve and pains getting it set up properly. I had to learn about structural ridgeline tension, proper hang angles, pitching the head end lower than the feet, and finding the sweet spot in the diagonal lay. It was all well worth it of course and the XLC is a fine hammock but then I had to try a Dutch and then I had to try a wide Dutch. Then I found a sewing machine and of course I had to start making hammocks and have added 6 more diy hammocks to the stable. I wanted to be self-sufficient with my own whoopie slings and ridgelines so I learned to splice amsteel and lash-it. I'm sure I have a favorite hammock in there somewhere if I can only find the time to go camping with all of them!

good luck in your research and new hobby!