Introduction and looking for HH Exp Asym owners

[atison]

Hi all. Great forum.

I am about to get my butt off the ground.

A little history. I am an occasional camper who is getting into backpacking and hoping to get into the woods a whole lot more. I live in Cincinnati and we have an incredible wilderness are about 2 hours away called Red River Gorge that I can't get enough of.

I have always struggled with sleeping in the woods due to comfort on the ground. Even though I finally found a great pad (POE Ether compact 6) that makes sleeping a much better experience, I am drawn to the simplicity and uniqueness of hammock camping.

Ok, so on to my question. I have a HH Expedition Asym on the way and was wondering what others think of this setup. I am concerned with the size of the tarp in a rainstorm, but also just looking for user experience with it.

Thanks, and loving the forum while I wait for Cincinnati to thaw out.

[Iafte]

From what I hear, it will work. Some people still use it but most people get a bigger tarp.

Welcome to the forums.

[Ramblinrev]

The stock tarp with those HH setups are "sufficient" if you know how to rig them low and tight. There's a great deal of disucssion on the forums about them. The ultra lighters tend to like them because they are small, light and will do the job they are called on to do. Those of us who like some real estate under our tarps tend to upgrade to a bigger after market tarp saving the stock tarp for those days when we think we're fine from rain and want to be able to see the world from our bed.

[Ken Hammond]

I just recently acquired the HH and after considering our Wisconsin climate, decided to upgrade the tarp size. I am waiting for a MacCat Deluxe and think it will meet my needs. I have 50 years of tenting and am excited about using the HH.

[Cannibal]

Unless you upgraded the tarp, the one you're getting is heavy for it's size. I've used stock Hennessy flies with good success, but it does depend very heavily on site selection to stay dry. If you are setting up in areas with thickets of low trees, the HH fly is tough to beat. But, if you are in more open areas you will really want to step-up to a larger tarp.

[BillyBob58]

The stock tarp with those HH setups are "sufficient" if you know how to rig them low and tight. There's a great deal of disucssion on the forums about them. The ultra lighters tend to like them because they are small, light and will do the job they are called on to do. Those of us who like some real estate under our tarps tend to upgrade to a bigger after market tarp saving the stock tarp for those days when we think we're fine from rain and want to be able to see the world from our bed.

What RR said. You can definitely stay dry with the small stock tarp, especially if you EXACTLY follow the directions for how to rig it, and most certainly if you are also a user of the HH Super Shelter. But folks often have trouble with the tarp being loose and flapping in the wind unless they attach to the trees, rather than as designed. And if you attach to the trees you may not be happy with the coverage once the hammock sags but the tarp doesn't. Some do well attaching one end to the trees, one end(of tarp) to the hammock.

Some just prefer a bigger(heavier) tarp that will give plenty of living space when not asleep, give plenty of coverage even after tying both ends to the trees, and may be much more stable in the wind.

You should be extremely comfortable in that hammock specially if you lay on your back, and put something as a pad/pillow under your knees. I certainly have been way comfortable in my HH Exlporer UL. But I mostly stay on my back, even though I side sleep in my bed.

But you are quickly going to figure out a way to keep your back warm. That will be your most immediate concern. You can use your ground pad, but most folks don't like a pad in a hammock, especially in a HH. You will probably want a Speer SPE to help you control the pad(s). Or if money allows, for ultimate comfort, you will want either a JRB UQ ( http://www.jacksrbetter.com/ ) or a Speer Snugfit ( http://www.speerhammocks.com/ ). I would say a Speer Peapod, but you can't use that with your HH, unless you first get a zipper mod. http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=3600

Have fun learning, and welcome to the dark side!

[WalksInDark]

I have one of the backpackers HHs and have a couple of observations: standard tarp fine for late spring and summer; larger tarp for other times; best comfort and insulation would be an exped 9 deluxe; best way to enjoy your HH, have two questions' wife do one of the three mods on it.

The HH are great and they can be much more comfortable than a tent under most conditions.

[MacEntyre]

My HH Explorer with SuperShelter has worked for me in all situations and seasons, primarily because I read a lot about how to use it here on HammockForums.net. It's well worth learning the fine art of hammock hanging!

[Ashman]

I use the HH with the stock tarp. I use the JRB No sniveler underqult. I have been in some HEAVY rain and have been bone dry. My concern is running into high wind and high rain at the same time (A given eventually) I am looking to move up in tarp for that reason and I am considering the MCAT for that reason. My advice when it comes to hammocking, crawl, walk, run.

[TonyF]

http://www.tothewoods.net/ImagesStay...flyProject.pdf

If you decide on a new tarp, Ashman posted this link of converting the stock fly to an undercover.