Meeting the hammock people

**Atlas** · 08-16-2009, 23:20

Planning a weekend trip to Shawnee State Forest, I didn't expect to find a tribe of hammock people hanging in the trees, but there they were. After eyeing them and their funny shelters for a moment, I made my approach. I found the hammock people to be quite friendly and warm hearted, sharing stories and pleasant conversation. After a bit of banter I began to inquire about their hammocks. They spoke nothing but praises and swore by their contraptions. They said there were more hammock people than they and that I could find them at hammockforums.net. So, here I am, curious to know more about you the hammock people and your ways. To be honest, the hammock people I've already met have pushed me to the edge of joining your ranks, I'm just looking for that last shove.

**angrysparrow** · 08-16-2009, 23:28

Welcome to the forum, Atlas. You've come to the right place for hammock info! Feel free to ask questions..

That 'group' that you met are indeed some of the members here. You stumbled into one of the best 'teaching environments' about hammocks that you possibly could by meeting them. I'm sure they'll chime in soon.

**Shadowmoss** · 08-16-2009, 23:29

**shadowmoss shoves Atlas**

There ya go!

Welcome to the board. There is a lot of information here. Don't be discouraged by the volume of it. Jump in and ask about what puzzles you, and your questions will be answered.

**stormcrow** · 08-16-2009, 23:40

Hello there to our new almost fomer tent dwelling friend

I am the redhead that picked you guys up. I am glad you came to check out the site! Did not even spend a whole day lurking...very impressive indeed.

I hope we were not too preachy about our lofty lounges but we DO love them! If there is a hammock question that can be answered then this is the place to ask it.

I am in Lancaster which is just southeast of you guys so let feel free ask me gear related questions.

Shouldnt you be getting ready for those YMCA kids tomorrow?! Anyway, I'm glad you made it on here.

Stormcrow

**oldgringo** · 08-17-2009, 05:00

"Hammock People" *grin* I like that.

Welcome!

**gargoyle** · 08-17-2009, 05:13

Welcome to the "Hammock People Forum", we are from all walks of life, and want to share our slumber heaven.

**HappyCamper** · 08-17-2009, 05:26

We're so friendly because we sleep really well. Welcome!

**GrizzlyAdams** · 08-17-2009, 06:56

Yo Atlas--
Met you on the trail this weekend too, I'm the guy with the Eagle scout sons. At one of the rest stops we shared I was eyeing the thin sleeping pads you guys were carrying, and grimaced <grin>.

That was a challenging trail, your partner looked a bit knackered. Brave soul to make that his first backpacking outing. Most of "the hammock people" opted for the better part of valor, i.e., discretion, and took the road to camp #3 as soon as possible. On the trail Saturday you met all of us that humped every hill.

Sunday morning Stormcrow and I jogged along Rt 125 to get to the cars and bring them back to the base of the hill Camp #3 is on, the rest of our crew lacking the enthusiasm needed to hike another (advertised) 5.3 miles to the registration station, on our way back to Camp #3 we saw you guys opted for the shorter (and flatter!) road route. The better part of valor ...

I mentioned to you a low cost commercial hammock that has a complete sewn-in bugnet, that would be the Skeeter Beater or Skeeter Beater Pro. These and a bunch of other inexpensive hammocks are listed by searching on "hammock" at the Vermont's Barre Army Navy site . The hammocks my sons were in are Blackbirds, made and sold by an HF member, warbonnetguy.

You can make you own hammock inexpensively. A great place to start learning about hammocks in general, and making your own in particular is the To The Woods site, developed and maintained by one of the HF moderators, JustJeff.

The do-it-yourself hammock style I mentioned to you that I make is called a "bridge" hammock. Search here on the forums with that keyword and you'll get loads of information, including a couple of tutorials on building them, lemme see, here and here. A member named TeeDee wrote an encylopedia on his DIY bridge system, volume 1 is here, I think there are forward links through the rest.

Welcome to hammock forums, hope you get to try out a hammock soon.

Grizz