First Post :-)

**sakura1998** · 07-25-2009, 07:17

Hi all,

Total beginner waiting for my Henessey Hammock (Explorer - I'm a tall guy) to arrive from ebay.

I take all my hobbies pretty seriously, though, and have been getting the gear down ready (bought the full super shelter kit from the Hennesey site after reading everything here as I thought it would be best for a beginner)

My question is this... I've inherited a 'Mont Bell' (66cm X ??) sleeping pad. I can't find the specs for this on the site - it's a bit old, but I suspect it's a bit of quality mountaineering gear.

I didn't find anything to really tell me if it's practical to use a pad like this is a Henessey (and if so, where do I put it - inside the hammock proper? Above the pad, beneath the hammock in the Super Shelter setup?)

Any and all advice would be welcome.

Also... Would be keen to know of any other Japan based members (I'm on the Sea of Japan in Kyoto prefecture...)

Really looking forward to my coming trips.

I forked out for all the gear (besides the hammock, I have 2 solar panels, an AGM battery and a backup, a solar shower, a Kelley Kettle (medium) and an inflatable kayak and drybags.

I will be travelling with a bicycle trailer and camping wherever I am (and blogging about it to my students on the road - looking into 3G options for my netbook at the moment)

Holidaying in this county is REAL expensive. All year round bicycle touring lets me get away as much as I like for practically zero :-)

**lori** · 07-25-2009, 07:45

Welcome to the hammocking crew

If inflatable, you partially (sometimes not even half, experiment with it) inflate and put it in. Fold it upwards once in the hammock so the fold is above the slit. Sit in hammock, then wrestle the folded half out flat under you (easier than it sounds). You can position the pad and yourself with some pushing (not too hard) to arrange the fabric of the hammock so you are on the diagonal.

Wow, Japan. Look forward to seeing some pictures from you.

**Darby** · 07-25-2009, 08:15

Welcome to the HF. If you research the Hennessy Hammock forum, you will find answers to questions you didn't realize you had yet. A wealth of knowledge is to be found here.

**Peter_pan** · 07-25-2009, 10:23

Sakura1998,

Welcome to the Hanging Gang and hammockforums.

Pan

**slowhike** · 07-25-2009, 10:25

I'll let the others answer your questions about using that pad in the HH, since I've used one very little.
There is at least one HF member in your general area that comes to mind. I can't recall his user name at the moment, but if you go to the "HF Google Map" on the home page here & click on it, you will be able to see were HF members are located.
And welcome to HF & hammocking! I'm sure you're going to love it!

**Ramblinrev** · 07-25-2009, 10:29

In as much as I have the Spuer Shelter and an HH Explorer I don't think you will find the pad a requriement except for the coldest temperatures. Pads serve as insulation and the Super Shelter suits me well as a total system down into the teens F* Paired with my nasty cheapo Coleman 0*F bag I have been to the single digits when the Super Shelter is used as directed. IMO pads and the HH do not mix well. YMMV.

**sakura1998** · 07-25-2009, 18:21

Thanks for the replies all...

I actually suspected that the pad was a bit of overkill. Knowing that it is most likely top quality kit, I just feel some kind of need to use it

I think I'll do without it most of the time and try one deep winter trip in a few months - just go give it a burl.

I'll be sure to camp in a few 'Japanesey' sort of places and send some photos when all my gear arrives