View Full Version : Who is Planning a Long Distance Hiking Tip in '07
I have been seeing some posts in different threads where people are planning a hike with their hammocks. I thought I would start this thread to keep a running list of people's hiking plans. It is also cool to see how many people are using this site to help plan their hikes. This could be anything from a week or 2 hike to a 6 month thru hike.
Name: Nate
Trail: AT thru hike
Start Date: mid March
Hammock of choice: DIY hammock
Touch of Grey
12-27-2006, 05:52
Marty
AT Thru
March 12
HH w/ homemade undercover and Mac Cat Tarp (Standard)
skyhiker2
12-27-2006, 10:47
AT thru
March 15
HH w/ still much confusion as to how much I will be freezing. Backyard hear I come..
Just Jeff
12-27-2006, 22:39
Welcome, skyhiker2! Check out the threads on the Mt Rogers campout at the end of January, or stop by Springer Mountain on New Year's Eve - there will be plenty of cold weather hammocking options to check out. Checking it all out firsthand will give you a huge jump over just reading stuff online. And you'll get to meet all the folks whose posts you read!
Hana Hanger
12-28-2006, 03:09
JMT Hike
August 17
Hammock/ apxo 6 days the rest using a tent :(
but before and after I can hang!!
cargousa
12-30-2006, 08:22
Name: Brian
Trail: AT nobo
Start Date: April 1st
Hammock of choice: HH hyperlite
2nd the freezing part...just got the JRB Nest (sweet) Backyard here I come!
txulrich
12-30-2006, 09:14
A friend, his son and I are planning on doing the Georgia portion of the AT starting Memorial Day weekend. All 3 of us intend to hang.
Bird Dog
12-31-2006, 14:10
Doesnt really qualify as long distance by some standards, but they are by mine because of family/work commitments:
April - Foothills Trail (SC) end to end.
Early Fall(?) - 1st 100 miles or so of the AT NOBO.
BD
name:Kyle
trail name: Bull Dog
trail:AT NOBO
Start Date:March 15 (subject to change)
type of hammock: ENO modified (in porgress) for winter, some sort of HH in summer (subject to my wims of corse, that is if I decide to DIY bug netting for my ENO.
Birchbark
01-18-2007, 22:55
Departing Springer Mountain mid-March with HH and SuperShelter (should I be afraid?).
Good luck all!
Just Jeff
01-18-2007, 22:56
Have you tested the SuperShelter? Are you bringing along anything else for bottom insulation? I'd be surprised if the SS alone keeps you warm for mid-March temps...but that's another thread!
Departing Springer Mountain mid-March with HH and SuperShelter (should I be afraid?).
Good luck all!
Be afraid, be very afraid. I'll be out there about that time. I agree with Jeff. I would be very cold with just that.
I am planning on taking my DIY hammock, hammock sock, JRB nest, 1/2 in. ccp, and 20 ish degree bag. I need that plus my clothing to make it into single digits.
cargousa
01-19-2007, 07:12
If your pack can afford the space, toss in a 3/4 length CCF pad, $7 at wally world. Worst case you can send it home or hiker box it if you find you don't need it. Should you be afraid? dunno, this is one of those subjects that is YMMV
I'm going April 1st or there abouts with a JRB Nest, CCF pad and a 30 degree bag. With this combo I've been down to 20 degrees (16 w/wind chill) now with no problem.
Get out and test it out for a night or two, I was worried about my 'cold weather setup' until I got out and tested it for myself.
Fat Man Walking
01-22-2007, 23:04
name:Gray
trail name: Fat Man Walkingtrail:
AT: NOBO starting at Daleville, VA heading up to Swift Run Gap, SNP.
Start Date: Either last week of July & First week of August or Last week of August & First week of September
type of hammock: HH Ultralite Explorer Asym.
Going when I do, I know that it will be cooler (55 tp 65) in the higher elevations and that I won't need a whole lot of extra insulation but, I am trying to get my arms around just exactly what I will need.
Right now I am thinking about just the under cover and underpad but am wondering if I may need more. I will be a virgin hanger this trip.
Have had a very restful nap in the back yard already on one of our warmer days with only the hammock.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Welcome to the site.
What helped me the most was just doing as much backyard testing as I could. I had to bail indoors a few times when I was starting out. It is the safest way to know how cold you can go.
Post your whole setup and we will try to offer some advice the best we can.
Gypsy"04"
01-23-2007, 00:10
Springer to Maine
March17
Homemade hammock, pad, SPE, tarp, G4 pack
20 degree bag
Approximately 25 lbs. fully loaded
I've slept in this setup at 30 degrees and was comfortable all night, I only felt coolness towards my feet in the morning.
Springer to Maine
March17
Homemade hammock, pad, SPE, tarp, G4 pack
20 degree bag
Approximately 25 lbs. fully loaded
I'm planning on starting that Sunday. See you out there.
Gypsy"04"
01-23-2007, 00:18
I was just today thinking of starting on Sunday instead of Saturday, just to avoid the Saturday crowd.
I'm not too worried about the crowd. My main reason is that I am going to spend the weekend with a friend in Atlanta that I haven't seen in a while first.
If you start sunday I will be the guy on the Approach trail wearing a backpack and carrying trekking poles.:D
The Breeze
01-23-2007, 01:58
I'm not too worried about the crowd. My main reason is that I am going to spend the weekend with a friend in Atlanta that I haven't seen in a while first.
If you start sunday I will be the guy on the Approach trail wearing a backpack and carrying trekking poles.:D
with or without hiking boots :rolleyes: :cool:
p.s might want to try pants and a shirt this time of year ehehehehhe.
Nope, clothes and shoes weight me down. It's all about the ozs.;)
I have been seeing some posts in different threads where people are planning a hike with their hammocks. I thought I would start this thread to keep a running list of people's hiking plans. It is also cool to see how many people are using this site to help plan their hikes. This could be anything from a week or 2 hike to a 6 month thru hike.
Name: Nate
Trail: AT thru hike
Start Date: mid March
Hammock of choice: DIY hammock
:) hammocking is easier than tenting on the AT,I HIKED THE WHITE WITH A HAMMOCK.hammocks rule,go for it.:cool: neo
Fat Man Walking
01-24-2007, 01:17
Welcome to the site.
What helped me the most was just doing as much backyard testing as I could. I had to bail indoors a few times when I was starting out. It is the safest way to know how cold you can go.
Post your whole setup and we will try to offer some advice the best we can.
Thanks for your offer of assistance.
On the ground, I have been using a REI fleece bag liner (I hike in summer) for my bag and a 3/4 Thermarest and pretty much sleeping in shelters or I have a Silshelter for a tent when needed.
From a comfort standpoint, I have never really gotten cold but I have gotten cool a few times. Mostly as comfortable as sleeping on a hard floor or in my tent on the ground would allow.
In addition to my HHEUA, I had planned to use the thermarest somewhere/somehow but, was concerned it wouldn't be enough. I was thinking that perhaps the SS would be the answer but, was wondering if it would be enough. My present thoughts are that for most nights, it probably will but, there's always a night or two when it is a little cooler than normal. Oh, and I am a warm sleeper. Never really need a great deal of cover to stay warm enough.
Thanks again.
No problem. I learned a ton and am still learning from this site and WB.
Do some researching on the SS first. I have read conflicting reports and a few of people not being happy with it. I went the underquilt route and am happy with it.
new news, my date was pushed back to the 20th, so I guess all you will have to take a zero day so I can catch up.
No worries. I walk slow. The sooner I get done, means the sooner I have to get a job, which means the sooner I have to move cross county, and the list goes on from there.
cargousa
02-02-2007, 08:36
I'll be behind you, starting on April fools day! It seems like everyone is starting early this year, I read somewhere that 4/1 thru 4/15 is the peak start time for a NOBO but is sounds like that has pushed into March this year. I may have to start a week early just for a chance to catch up with the other hangers!
--cargo
:D i am not going any were with out my hammock:cool: neo
I will hit the AT in late March or the first of April. Hammocking because of the camping choices it provides as well as comfort. My only concern is cold weather. I have made basements and underquilts and found them less comfortable than a couple of lightweight foam pads - full length. The pads weight about the same as the underquilt, but seem, so far, to provide more reliable, low-hassel warmth. I'm still open to ideas on that one.
I will hit the AT in late March or the first of April. Hammocking because of the camping choices it provides as well as comfort. My only concern is cold weather. I have made basements and underquilts and found them less comfortable than a couple of lightweight foam pads - full length. The pads weight about the same as the underquilt, but seem, so far, to provide more reliable, low-hassel warmth. I'm still open to ideas on that one.
Interesting that you say the pads are more comfortable. Too most people it is the opposite. How are the quilts not comfortable? Is it because of the shape they give the hammock?
When hung you should not be able to feel the underquilt underneath. If you do, the quilt is supporting your weight and not the hammock.
I agree I think pads are the cheapest and easiest form of bottom insulation. Too me they are not as comfortable. In the end what works for you is the best way of doing things.
ThruHkngMTBer
02-08-2007, 20:14
Hi guys. Brand new to the forum. I am starting out at Springer with a HH ultralite. Hammocks seem to make way too much sense. :)
Just Jeff
02-08-2007, 21:57
Welcome to the forum! Looks like there are more hammockers each year...I bet you guys will run into several others, too. Enjoy your trip!
Hi guys. Brand new to the forum. I am starting out at Springer with a HH ultralite. Hammocks seem to make way too much sense. :)
I'm starting out a week before you. You will probibly catch me at some point. See you out there.
visionrider
02-11-2007, 11:19
I'm starting from Springer April 11th, with homemade silk Speer hammock, Stephenson DAM, 35 degree bag, and down jacket if it gets much colder than 25 degrees. I hope to get to Virginia by May 19th and then decide if I want to continue or stop at that point. This will be my first hike with a hammock.
New news....The ENO will more than likely stay at home, as Ill be carring my new DIY hammock. Ill get so photos later and put them in the DIY section. Hey engineer, hope to catch you at some point. Just keep writing in those registers and Ill find you.
New news....The ENO will more than likely stay at home, as Ill be carring my new DIY hammock. Ill get so photos later and put them in the DIY section. Hey engineer, hope to catch you at some point. Just keep writing in those registers and Ill find you.
Well you might have to do that. I think April 1st is really looking to get me right now.
Vick
Thru-NOBO late March
All home grown hammock gear
Touch of Grey
02-24-2007, 09:06
Alright!!!!
Just two weeks until I head for Atlanta and the Hiker Hostel Sunday March 11. Then on to the trail and NOBO.
Just rechecked for the final time my pack and it's contents. I come in at 30 lbs w/o food or water. Not bad considering its contents are such that should I hit some bad winter weather along the way the first month I should be safe and warm. Then once I get north of Damascus I should be able to reduce the weight 5 to 10 lbs easily.
I am so geeked up these last few weeks that if it had not been for my picking up a part-time job to keep my mind distracted I probably would have left already. I'm not keeping a Trail Journal online like a lot of people. Instead I will be utilizing something I read about on one of these forums GCast (http://www.gcast.com/user/N8MG/podcast/main) (Click on this link to go to my GCast page.). I've already left 5 podcasts on this site dating back to December. Most likely I will, when I have time and a cellphone signal, update the podcasts daily.
Come on March 11!!!!
TOG
What no dancing banana?!?:D:eek::cool:;):) Bummer!
slowhike
02-24-2007, 10:41
i know you're excited! i know i would be.
i for one, am looking forward to hearing the progress of our hammockers on the AT.
seems like it would be good to have a chart or something that would allow us to see at a glance all the thru-hike hammockers that are registered here, & maybe see their progress. or at least have a click-able link that would take us to thier trail journal, pod-cast, or other up-date source.
southpawx3
02-24-2007, 11:13
I'm with you Tim, looking forward to their reports. It would be cool to have a chart or link to their journals somewhere on this forum :cool:
Bird Dog
02-24-2007, 14:12
I'm with you Tim, looking forward to their reports. It would be cool to have a chart or link to their journals somewhere on this forum :cool:
Thats two hints in a row Jeff. :D BD
Just Jeff
02-24-2007, 17:19
Working on it.
glenaceae
03-11-2007, 17:14
Thanks for all the hammocking info. Starting out at springer the last week of march. Wanted to take a hammock after all these years of tenting with kids. My first hammock camping was back in high school in the 70s using the schools surplus jungle hammocks. Nice ride. (That was in Pinckney Rec. Area on the Pottawatmi trail for you Michiganders). Thought I'd buy a hammock until I stumbled on Jeff's site. Made a hammock last week and another this week. Experimenting. So much to learn so little time. Kinda uncomfortable trying out something new so close to starting out. First try in my hammock, the support rope slipped over the whipped end. Good boy scout that I am, I noticed an old cushion lying there on the barn floor and just to be safe I had put it under my head and shoulders. Somehow I missed the cushion and landed on my back on the concrete floor.
My main concern is cold and having the tarp blow off or tear in cold rainy weather.
As of now I am using two closed cell foam pads put together "T" shaped. Keeping them together and under me is my concern as well as wether they will even be adequate. Has anyone ever sewn pockets in the bottom of their hammock to slide pads into? Is ther a better/different way to go. Like to keep weight down or I'd take my thermarest which unfortunately is a full length model.
Thanks for all the good info. If not for this site and Jeffs site I'd be on the ground.
FanaticFringer
03-11-2007, 17:28
Thanks for all the hammocking info. Starting out at springer the last week of march. Wanted to take a hammock after all these years of tenting with kids. My first hammock camping was back in high school in the 70s using the schools surplus jungle hammocks. Nice ride. (That was in Pinckney Rec. Area on the Pottawatmi trail for you Michiganders). Thought I'd buy a hammock until I stumbled on Jeff's site. Made a hammock last week and another this week. Experimenting. So much to learn so little time. Kinda uncomfortable trying out something new so close to starting out. First try in my hammock, the support rope slipped over the whipped end. Good boy scout that I am, I noticed an old cushion lying there on the barn floor and just to be safe I had put it under my head and shoulders. Somehow I missed the cushion and landed on my back on the concrete floor.
My main concern is cold and having the tarp blow off or tear in cold rainy weather.
As of now I am using two closed cell foam pads put together "T" shaped. Keeping them together and under me is my concern as well as wether they will even be adequate. Has anyone ever sewn pockets in the bottom of their hammock to slide pads into? Is ther a better/different way to go. Like to keep weight down or I'd take my thermarest which unfortunately is a full length model.
Thanks for all the good info. If not for this site and Jeffs site I'd be on the ground.
Welcome to the site. I use one of these (I actually have both models). They work really well:
www.speerhammocks.com/Products/SPE.htm
slowhike
03-11-2007, 20:09
i wouldn't sew anything to the hammock body unless you really read-up on jeff & risk's insulated hammocks. they have done well w/ those, but there is some risk involved when you start sewing anywhere on the hammock other than the hemmed edges at the sides & ends.
there's a lot of force put on the hammock body.
IMHO, that would'nt be a good thing to be experimenting w/ this close to the beginning of your thru.
but the double hammock on risk's web site would be a pretty save deal.
Just Jeff
03-11-2007, 21:26
For a pad-holding hammock, check out Risk's ZHammock and my Two Layer Hammock (based on Risk's).
1st post - welcome to the site! Test as much as you can before the trip. Good thing about using pads is that you can always go to ground if it doesn't work out one night.
Good luck on your hike!
glenaceae
03-11-2007, 21:55
Ya, was kinda wondering if sewing on the bottom would create weakness.
Like the Z and two layered idea. Appeals to my diy tendencies. Took a closer look at the spe. Looks like maby I should break down(has it come to that?) and buy one of those for the sake of expedience. Thanks for the ideas. Time to go to uh- hammock.
roverdisc1
03-20-2007, 02:03
New to the site and haven't started hanging yet, but plan on picking up a Clark North American soon.
Biggest trip I have planned for '07 is 10 days on Isle Royale in Lake Superior northern Michigan. 7 days packing, 2 days base camping, 1 day waiting for boats.
It's not until August, but I'm already so excited I can't stand it.
Names: Jay and Chuck
Trail Names: Hooch and Short Bus
Hiking: AT SOBO from Erwin, TN to Hot Springs, NC
When: Start first weekend of June (Subject to change, Chuck just started a new job!)
headchange4u
03-20-2007, 08:39
I am trying to plan a thru on the Foothills Trail this fall.
Bird Dog
03-20-2007, 13:05
I am trying to plan a thru on the Foothills Trail this fall.
I will give you all of the information. I leave in a few weeks. BD
slowhike
03-20-2007, 14:42
I will give you all of the information. I leave in a few weeks. BD
you've already done one thru hike this year!!! slow down man:eek:
I am trying to plan a thru on the Foothills Trail this fall.
make that over Christmas holidays and I will go. It is on my list of to do hikes
This weekend I head up to the Carolinas to hike for a few days on the FHT!
I'm hiking the whole trail in the Fall, so I can't wait to do part in a few days. Gonna hang in my HH ULEA (abbrev?). THe weather should be warmer than I'd prefer, but ya' know...I live in Florida and should be used to it, huh?
Anyway, I know the FHT isn't as long as some, but the October hike will be my longest yet. :D
Bird Dog
03-21-2007, 04:53
make that over Christmas holidays and I will go. It is on my list of to do hikes
Depending on how this one goes, I may consider doing it again. BD
slowhike
03-21-2007, 22:00
sorry to hear from touch of grey (on his pod cast) that he's made the decision to get off the trail.
but, ya know, every body's got to listen to what their body's telling them.
i know my feet (& probably my knees & who knows what else) wouldn't let me do that much hiking.
nickelanddime
04-02-2007, 23:10
Nick Blair
GA->ME April 17th
DIY hybrid of hammock engineer's parallelogram A-sym and headchange4u's A-sym with a double layer just for kicks
TNF Cat's meow cannabalized for a quilt, and a walley world pad that has a few beads of silicone.
WOOOHOOOO! Backpacking!