Sorry to drop this newb'ish stuff here but I don't have any hiking buddies that are experienced enough with hammocks ensure I'm on the right track and not missing anything.
After spending a couple of nights below 45* in Yosemite this year in an ENO with no underquilt or pad and a LaFuma 1000 35+* bag, I don’t think everyone here would argue that I seriously need to rethink my hammock’s setup. And for those of you asking, “What was he thinking?” I can only plead ignorance to the effects of compressing your insulation and moving your body up off the ground for air to flow under it. What can I say, it’s been my first full year of camping and I tend to be a hand’s on learner (or in this case, a frozen bottom learner). So as I spent those few wonderful nights in Yosemite shivering out of control from 2am to about 4am and then reliving my Navy days doing jumping jacks as the sun rose to warm up, I promised myself I would get up to speed on getting a warm night’s rest. That’s when I found this site.
I’ve been lurking here for a couple of months trying to answer as many of my newb questions without asking the same questions that have been asked many times over. The more I read here and reflect on my Yosemite trip the more I hear, “Stimpy, you IDIOT!” playing over and over in my head. So I’m dedicating 2010 to redoing my entire backpacking/camping load out. This project is also being spurred on by my pending move from the California to Indiana. For the first time I have to consider regular rain and winter conditions. I think I’ve narrowed down most of my gear needs, and I want to run it by everyone here before I start spending money. My first setup was purchased on a whim and I paid for it with 3 torturous nights of near-sleep. My current plan and reasoning is:
Hammock – WBBB DL1.7 I like my ENO but I think it’s a good time to swap it out and keep it around for day hikes. I want a sleeve for my CCF and a bug net and though I know those are easy DIY projects; but the ENO is a single and a hair camped for me at 6’2” and 240lbs. The WBBB defiantly looks more roomy and fills the other two features I want in a hammock.
Underquilt – I think Te-Wa has me sold on his design. I like the ¾ UQ’s concept and have gone back and forth on Te-Wa vs the Yeti. I think the little extra length that Te-Wa provides would suite a my body length more appropriately. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
Tarp – Speers Winter Tarp. I know it’s a little big and bulky for summer use but I like the idea of added coverage in wind and rain. I want to be able to pull up a log if it starts down pouring and cook a meal and enjoy the day without being overly confined. Plus, dollar for dollar I think this tarp may be one of the best deals out there.
Overquilt – I’m stuck here. I’m really looking at the JRB Sniveller line of quilts. I’m thinking the Sierra Sniveller due to its extra girth. I’m fairly broad through the shoulders and I don’t think No Sniveller will give me the coverage I want without gaps. I’m just debating if I will actually use the poncho feature or if it sounds better in concept then in practice. Does anyone use this feature regularly? Outside of the No Sniveller line most other quilts seem to be too similar to stand out. It appears to me that they come down to basic temp rating and who gives you an extra inch or two in length or width.
Suspension – I’m going to go with the stock webbing option on the WBBB. Seems simple enough and doesn’t require me to fiddle with knots in the dark. I like the looks of the Dutch clip but I have yet to figure out where to buy them. I’m sure I’ve overlooked them on a site somewhere.
Undercover – Would a Six Moons Design Gatewood work as an undercover on a WBBB? At $135 it’s an extravagant solution in my mind, but having a ground option of a hanging location isn’t available is nice. Or is there another Ponch Shelter that could also be used to fill the undercover need that comes in a little cheaper?
Winter (freezing and below) – I have an Army 3 piece system that is extremely bulky but will get me though just about anything until I’m ready to spend money tweaking it out. Granted, I’ll probably need to build a pulk to lug the thing around but I could use the exercise.
Sorry to put so much into one long post but I am hoping by putting all of my ideas in one post, everyone here can help find the holes in it.
Bookmarks