Another new guy here from western Pa

[peterhase]

Hey BigR Rich, sounds great. Riding around on the bike and hanging where you please sounds like a dream. I've got a HH Expedition myself and love it. You can do a lot to improve the warmth, so I recommend you don't discard it right away. I plan on doing some snow camping in mine soon, but it will require some thoughtful insulation. Good luck

[philbio75]

Welcome from East TN.

[oldpappy]

Welcome from Va. I'm a regular camper in Kinzua country in NW Pa. (in the summer).
You have the right idea - My HH is my summer hammock and I have a couple gathered end hammocks used with an under quilt as winter hammocks. I use an appropriate temp rated sleeping bag. Nice thing about the HH is that the tarp can also be used with your gathered end hammocks.
Gathered end hammocks are easy and cheap to make - or Dutchwaregear.com has nice Argon ones for about $35.
This attached video is how i make up the hammock ends:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJlEQpcbM1I
P.S. I recommend an 11 foot gathered end hammock for comfort. (and 60 inches wide)

[BiGR Rich]

Thanks for the warm welcomes!

Peter, I love my HH for what it is. While I was freezing the first night in it (about 50°F overnight), it was a good learning experience. I'll be "tweaking" that setup once warmer weather rolls around.

Oldpappy, I recently bought a Grand Trunk UL - the price was right for what I need. I'm not a big guy by any means (don't let the screen name fool you), coming in at 5'8" and 165 pounds. The shorter UL fit me pretty well..... so well I dozed off the first time I was in it! I had it hanging in my garage when it was 20° outside, using a 0° synth mummy bag modded into a peapod. That setup needs some tweaking as well, but all in due time.