Questions from a Rookie

I am eager to give hammock camping a try but honestly I have a few concerns.

i am interested in mostly 2 to 3 day trips at the most and I am willing to spend some money to give this a shot but I can’t see sinking $150 dollars or more in something that I might find after one trip or two that it just is not for me. On the flip side if I shoot for a lower end model at $40 to $75 dollars am I setting myself up for failure because of the quality of the equipment.

I am currently considering the following setup any comments or suggestions for a rookie? Also what might be missing from this setup that I really want to make sure I have. I know there are extras that make things nicer but what might I be missing here that will really affect my trip?

Hammock

Tarp Rain Fly

Thanks in Advance!

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Originally Posted by thatscguy

I am eager to give hammock camping a try but honestly I have a few concerns.

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Welcome to the forum. That's exactly what we're here for. :)

I think that is a great starter setup for learning about hammocks. I would say this, though - if you don't really need the bugnet for your initial testing, you might consider getting a TrekLight double instead of the Traveler. The fabric of the HAAB hammocks (TrekLight, ENO, TTTM, etc) feels very nice and they are good hammocks to modify or add options to later on if you do decide hammock camping is for you. They don't come with the bugnet, but it can be added later.

As far as things that might be missing from your list, some bottom insulation comes to mind. Nothing can ruin a good night's sleep in a hammock like being cold. If you don't already have a CCF pad, look into either a GG Thinlight or a Speer, or even the infamous WalMart blue pads.

Ditto on what AS said you will need some type of insulation. After I first got my hammock I slept in it in the backyard with nothing under me and it got a bit cool. Grant it I was in without a sleeping bag or anything just the clothes I had on( too many beers), but those cool summer breezes get pretty cold in a hammock. The Trelight, Eno, and TTTM are good hammocks my is similar to those and I enjoy it.
I actually have slept better in the hammock than I have in my own bed. And if you don't really need the bugnet right now, I would go with one of the others for now and like stated above you can alwways add one later. Oh Yeah WELCOME to the forums.

you should see if you can make it to the SEHHA hang next weekend. look under the gatherings section for more information.

The hammock costs $40 (plus shipping). Do you know someone who can sew? You could put a hammock together for about $15-20 if you make it yourself, and it is a very easy project that takes little time. (Especially if someone does it for you! :D )

I think the tarp looks like a great buy, myself. I am sure it isn't the most gossamer, but it is very inexpensive.

I would advise a smaller tarp.

I know that everybody advocates getting the biggest tarp possible, but the 12'x12' is really huge.

It designed to be hung diamond style - corner to corner and as such it is almost 17' corner to corner. You will need trees further apart than that to hang it, probably close to 20'.

There are other big tarps that aren't so huge. If you really want 12'x12', then you would be better to get one that isn't cat cut on all 4 sides.

I'm pretty sure that it is a copy of the Kelty Noah 12 or very close to it which doesn't hang very well with a non-diagonal ridgeline. It can be done, but it is loose.

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Originally Posted by Iafte

you should see if you can make it to the SEHHA hang next weekend. look under the gatherings section for more information.

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Did someone say information? :D

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Originally Posted by TiredFeet

I would advise a smaller tarp.

I know that everybody advocates getting the biggest tarp possible, but the 12'x12' is really huge.

It designed to be hung diamond style - corner to corner and as such it is almost 17' corner to corner. You will need trees further apart than that to hang it, probably close to 20'.

There are other big tarps that aren't so huge. If you really want 12'x12', then you would be better to get one that isn't cat cut on all 4 sides.

I'm pretty sure that it is a copy of the Kelty Noah 12 or very close to it which doesn't hang very well with a non-diagonal ridgeline. It can be done, but it is loose.

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The JRB 8x8 tarp will work great with that hammock for size and at $ 50 is as inexpensive as it gets.... and at 9 oz is way less weight... probably a whole pound lighter...

Pan

i agree about the TrekLight, ENO, TTTM, etc, hammocks.
you may want to get the double. it just seems more comfortable over all to most folks.
and the SEHHA camp out at hot springs, NC that hooch linked above would be a great place to try out different type hammocks & ask lots of questions if that might work out for you.
and welcome to HF. ...tim

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TiredFeet

I would advise a smaller tarp.

I know that everybody advocates getting the biggest tarp possible, but the 12'x12' is really huge.

It designed to be hung diamond style - corner to corner and as such it is almost 17' corner to corner. You will need trees further apart than that to hang it, probably close to 20'.

There are other big tarps that aren't so huge. If you really want 12'x12', then you would be better to get one that isn't cat cut on all 4 sides.

I'm pretty sure that it is a copy of the Kelty Noah 12 or very close to it which doesn't hang very well with a non-diagonal ridgeline. It can be done, but it is loose.

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TiredFeet speaks truth.

Suggestions :

Claytor sells a rectangular tarp that is 7.5' wide and 10' long. (Small rain fly) $40 complete.

JRB has a close-out sale on an 8'x8' sil tarp, diamond shape in use, 10' ridgeline, silnylon. $50 plus shipping.

heavier, but bigger, cut in a hex, from Campor 10' x 10' , $40 plus shipping.

search on tarps on the Campor site and you'll find a variety of sizes, weights, and prices to choose from.
If weight isn't the issue---for car camping or for just getting a bead on this hammocking thing---you can get by for pretty inexpensive.


Grizz

I would probably suggest a smaller tarp as well. If you try to hang from trees that far apart it will be really frustrating. For trying things out you could even consider a cheap poly tarp from Wally World for only a few bucks. Noisy and heavy but you can always use it to cover the lawnmower later when you get something lighter. I have personally never slept in a store bought hammock...had an ENO double for a while but didn't like it any better than my homemade. It was great quality though. Was able to sell it here in a few hours when I decided to so even in the unlikely event you don't like hanging you could recoup much of your spending with a name brand.

Homemade hammock is one of the easiest projects ever. Check out Jeff's http://www.tothewoods.net/ and Risk's http://www.imrisk.com/ sites. I tried one of Risk's test hammocks first for about $12.00. I build Risk's zHammocks as ther are great for pad control. It doesn't hurt to have the double bottom for security as I am big and heavy. Bugnet easy to build as well. Go to the SEHHA campout if you can...even if only for the day on Saturday. More info there than you can imagine and seeing one of Ed's hammocks will show you how easy is is to build. While there you could probably pick up Ed's book too. Required reading in my opinion...my copy is almost worn out!

You have found the most complete source for hammocking on the web and a great bunch of folks to boot.

Finally...get ready for the best camping sleep ever!

Ok after much research and a DIY gear bug got to me.

Hammock…
I will be making a single later 60’ wide home made hammock in the coming weeks. No ripstop nylon at the locally Wally Word but I was able to get some from a local fabric store @ 5 bucks a yard and I have nylon thread to sew the hem with.

Whipping / Knot…
Not sure here suggestions? I would love something more finished looking that jus the whipping is there such a thing?

Support System…
Man you guys make this a tough decision but after all the reading I think I am going to go with the cc buckle method (Rope to hammock and webbing to tree).

Bug netting…
I don’t think I will worry about this for the first couple of trips and just coat myself in the OFF goodness. But long term I will have to address it as I seem to attract skeeters like there is a dinner bell tied around my neck.

Tarp…
I went with the Gear Guide 12x12. I know it’s big but if I hang it with the hammock and not diagonal I should be ok and I love the idea of the extra space if I needed it, and with so many tie downs I thought I could I always just close it up if it was too big.

Under Pad…
More research needed for this one.

And I am sorry I can’t make the event in hot springs this weekend I am best man in a death march, Ahh I mean wedding.

Thanks again for all the help guys!

If you want a more finished look on the ends of the whipping, check out this tutorial on making some end covers for your hammock. It makes things look nice and neat.

thanks those look great!

Nylon thread? I thought polyester??

ouch did i make a screwup with the nylon thread?

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Originally Posted by thatscguy

ouch did i make a screwup with the nylon thread?

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i don't think it will be a problem (as far as i know) as long as it's not to heavy.
the nylon thread i bought once was to thick & stiff, but hopefully what you got is thinner & more workable w/ the light weight fabric.