HH tarp

**Guero Mochilero** · 03-15-2009, 00:41

I have a Hennessy Hyperlight. I read how many people here buy bigger rainflys for their HH hammocks. Who has had a bad experience in the rain with their Hennessy rain fly? Is it really necessary to buy a bigger fly?

**lori** · 03-15-2009, 01:04

The more tarp you have, the more flexibility you have. I doubt I could set up the HH stock tarp to cook under with any success, especially if it's wind AND rain. A nice large tarp gives you a larger dry area to store gear and cook under. I could foresee weather getting so nasty that the stock tarp would be unable to keep out wind driven rain.

**MacEntyre** · 03-15-2009, 06:07

I bought a larger tarp, and in three years I have yet to hang in the rain!

(Now I've done it... I'll get soaked next time I hang!)

**gunn parker** · 03-15-2009, 06:14

I have had my backpacker ultralight in some heavy rain and did not get wet at all. But I missed the space offered by a larger tarp for other camp duties, like getting dressed out of the rain, eating, cooking and so on.

**Spogatz** · 03-15-2009, 13:29

I believe you can cook under the standard tarp but it would be easier to use a larger one. Wind would be another issue.

**Heber** · 03-15-2009, 13:45

I've used the stock Hennessy tarp in very heavy rain and found that water tend to pool right above my head because the tarp sags. This is only a slight problem and didn't result in me getting wet. However I prefer a tarp with a tighter ridgeline for this reason.

You can alleviate this problem somewhat by tying the tarp to the trees rather than to the support lines.

**bonsaihiker** · 03-15-2009, 20:15

I've spent a day of heavy rain under a poncho strung like a tarp, and it wasn't fun because there was no room to move. My HH sil Hex gives lots of room underneath, and I can pretty much go about my business--cooking, organizing gear, lounging, whatever--quite comfortably. I think the weight penalty is, for me, well worth it.

**hacktorious** · 03-15-2009, 20:22

I never had an issue with a small tarp. Rain was never an issue. Just tie the tarp to a tree and not the lines. For me, there is plenty of room under it.

On the other hand, I find that the tarp for my Claytor is too large and difficult to find decent spots to hang it in many situations.

The thing I like about the HH is that you can quickly hand them just about anywhere.

**2Questions** · 03-15-2009, 20:29

Originally Posted by Guero Mochilero

Is it really necessary to buy a bigger fly?

I don't thnk its a necessity but it makes life a bit easier in the following circumstances.

1. When rain turns into sleet or snow and you don't have enough protected storage space.
2. When it's a downpour that is going to last awhile and you're hunkered down for hours. A little extra room to cook or move around is nice.
3. When the wind is strongly blowing...and you're pitched the wrong direction...the extra size tarp can be pulled around to block it.
4. When the sun is beating down on you and with a larger fly a great awning can be made with the Leki's.

Just my .02

**Spogatz** · 03-15-2009, 21:02

Originally Posted by Heber

I've used the stock Hennessy tarp in very heavy rain and found that water tend to pool right above my head because the tarp sags. This is only a slight problem and didn't result in me getting wet. However I prefer a tarp with a tighter ridgeline for this reason.

You can alleviate this problem somewhat by tying the tarp to the trees rather than to the support lines.

I wonder if you use a small line as a ridge line for the tarp that it would stop that.