Just completed 5 days/72 miles on AT..a few hammock issues

Used the grand trunk basic $20 model with a walmart large blue pad
Fly was campmor 8x10 silnylon with a guideline
Have used this system on 3-4 trips before
Prefer the simplicity of the grand trunk and easy entry over
my Hennessy but had a few problems
Twice i awoke with my butt on the dirt
I assumed that the standard blue line on my hammock stretch
The insulation was sufficient but i do wish it were a little wider between
my shoulders and knees
Any suggestions on a wider pad and some non-stretchy lightweight chord
would be appreciated..
Thanx

For the cord, order some amsteel. It's about 20-25 cents a foot . There is also a discount code on the forum.
For the pad I have little experience in that area. I'm a fair weather camper.

Either your suspension or your straps could have stretched. Use polypro straps and like ibgary said swap out the suspension with amsteel whoopies. I've never used a pad so I can't help you there either.

I would look here.

http://gossamergear.com/sleeping.html#

The are some instructions on the forum somewhere for a SPE which gives your pad wings to cover you shoulders better.

i bought wide 1/4" pads from Speer (36" wide), but that was years ago. i found the 1/4" to work as good as wallyworld 1/2" blue. they state 57 degrees, but i used it to high 30's, but that's me.

I'm not sure how wide your Wally World pad is, but check out http://lawsonequipment.com/All-Products-c125/ for great pads at a great price. These are 24" wide.

Also, amsteel whoopie slings and non-stretch tree straps. I'd recommend Whoopieslings.com

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dammfast

The are some instructions on the forum somewhere for a SPE which gives your pad wings to cover you shoulders better.

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here too http://www.tothewoods.net/HammockCampingWarm.html#Pads

I agree with everyone else about either strap or string could have stretched. Amsteel and straps both for whoopieslings.com. I have had one of the thinlight pads from gossamergear and what I found was they were TOO hard to move around in the hammock. They stuck to the material steadfast. So it was too hard to get comfortable with them.

I used the same hammock for my AT hike 2 weeks ago. I the first thing I did was swap out the stock ssuspension for whoopies and tree straps. The poly tarp works, but is a pain to fold, I upgraded mine to a Mamajamba when funds permitted. I still use a pad for my home setup, but went with an underquilt for hiking. Again upgrade when funds permit, but swap out the stock suspension first.

Sounds like you were using nylon straps/cords and they will streeeeeeach. Like others have said, go with Amsteel or some polyester straps.

Pads tend to shift alot in single layer hammocks, best used in double layer hammocks. Save up and get a UQ, much more comfortable than a pad and it compresses into a small ball unlike a pad which do not compress.

Your tarp measurments sound a little bit on the small size. Might not provide enought coverage during a heavy rain.

Sounds more like slipping to me, "twice I woke up with my butt on the ground" assuming he tightened the suspension after the first time....

The rope suspension supplied with the GT Ultralight is supposedly climbing rope, it could be that the ropes were sliding down the trunk of the tree

Climbing rope is made to streach so if the climber falls the rope streaches so the impact to the climer stopping is not as great.

-Trees probably too far apart a time or two
-my hiking buddy said he saw my stock rope stretch significantly
when i laid in the hammock
-one night i had to tighten the hammock three times to keep from hitting
the ground. The trees were far apart but the rope around the trees
did not slip

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gunner76

Climbing rope is made to streach so if the climber falls the rope streaches so the impact to the climer stopping is not as great.

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Dynamic climbing rope will have some stretch, Static climbing rope does not.

Once I switched my ENO to whoopie slings, there was no looking back.