I think HH are more like windows since they have all this extra stuff built into them just to make you feel at ease. Speer would be more like a Mac. And a DIY HH would be like running Wine on your Linux box. Sorry, I am a big time nerd.
Printable View
I think HH are more like windows since they have all this extra stuff built into them just to make you feel at ease. Speer would be more like a Mac. And a DIY HH would be like running Wine on your Linux box. Sorry, I am a big time nerd.
I don't think I have seen one good post or constructive thing come from Ewker. If you feel that no one is giving good advise then seek it else where. Its part of the whole freedom thing we share as a nation.
My first hammock is a Clarks North American. A little on the expenjsive side, but I don't have to screw around with little this or little that stuff. Just worked down to 30 degrees out of the box (no quilts, under quilts, nests, wraps, blow torches, pads, under pads, under over pad quilt fire bombs, etc) with my sleeping bag and some ziplock bags inflated and stuffed in the under pockets.
Personnally, I feel that for any hammock to be like Windows the rope would have to snap first!
Troll Warz, lol.Quote:
I don't think I have seen one good post or constructive thing come from Ewker. If you feel that no one is giving good advise then seek it else where. Its part of the whole freedom thing we share as a nation.
Anyway, here's something constructive: there is no beginner's hammock. Just buy one and learn how to use it. As with any new piece of equipment it take time to learn ho to use it.
On Speer's forum someone asked what are Your Top 5 Bits of Hammocking Wisdom. That is really what the original poster needs. Not what's a good beginner hammock. He needs the basics of hammock camping. See Just Jeff's website. In many ways it's more informative than Ed Speer's book.
Here are my five as quoted form Speer's yahoo fourm:
Quote:
1. Use a removable structural ridgleline. Although Hennessy has a
patent, there is no reason you can't add one to any hammock
(commercial or homemade). Structural ridigelines control sag. You'll
get the same sag every time. Plus ridgelines are very practical or
hanging stuff sacks, bugnets. Making it removable lets you sit in the
hammock as a camp chair, but it won't be in the way as with a stock
Hennessy Hammock. Again you can add a removal structural ridgline to
any hammock commercial or homemade.
2. Learn to pitch your hammock in the dark. This is key if you're
doing any stealth camping.
3. Stay warm. Hammocks can get cold very quickly. Even at 70-75 deg F
can feel cold on a windy day. I prefer under/overquilts.
4. Learn four or five knots so that you can adapt to any situation.
Different campsites sometimes require different knots. The Speer 4
wrap knot doesn't always work around big rocks and such. I recommend
learning a Bowline, Anchor Hitch, Larskhead, and Double Overhand knots
in addition to the knots Speer recommends in his book.
5. If pitching while raining, pitch the tarp first then the hammock.
Once you get the tarp up, you'll have a nice dry area from which to work.
Good points funbun. I would whole-heartedly agree. BD