Newer to Hammocks, Backpacking Enthusiast

[WIBackpacker]

I'm so glad I was linked to this forum by a Facebook group.

I'm a dedicated backpacking addict, and especially love winter camping. Past adventures include a 30 day winter AT section hike, the Q circuit of Torres del Paine in Patagonia, Mt. Aspring in New Zealand, many happy adventures into the BWCA on the Minnesota / Canada border, and other trips. I'm always looking for new places to get off the beaten path, especially within 4 miles of Milwaukee (give or take).

I was gifted an ENO system, but I've been leery about giving up my precious trusted tent. I'm here to learn, and hopefully join in on some group outings. What a neat forum - tons of info, I'm looking forward to learning!

[Bla1z3]

Welcome from HELL (Florida).

[mayhemkb]

Hello from Green Bay!

While no expert in either activity in the least, but as a certified gram weenie, you sacrifice by adding weight with a hammock system, but the comfort of the hammock is worth the trade off.

[WIBackpacker]

Welcome from HELL (Florida).

Ha! Thank you. Come February, most people up here would beg to differ....

Hello from Green Bay!

While no expert in either activity in the least, but as a certified gram weenie, you sacrifice by adding weight with a hammock system, but the comfort of the hammock is worth the trade off.

Thanks! Honestly that's one of the reasons I've resisted "converting" - I have my gear list down to a science with my MSR tent, even for solo trips the weight is totally comfortable for me. I packed the ENO system up once and the difference in weight + bulk was daunting, and I chickened out.... I have much to learn.

[johnspenn]

Welcome to the forums from Marietta GA. With the right setup, you will be able to pare your weight down, but it will take some research on your part to find it. ENO's stuff is pretty heavy, relatively speaking. In the meantime, take your ENO on day trips for a little lounging time to see if you actually like hanging in a hammock.

IMO the comfort in a hammock vs laying on the ground in a tent is more than worth any weight penalty incurred. If sleeping on the ground doesn't bother you, it may not be a change worth making. HYOH!

[akaCat]

If you love winter camping, look up Shug's videos on YouTube. To hear him tell it, there's nothing comfier at -whatever F, than a good hammock system.

You'll find that there's a lot of hammock gear available that's much lighter weight than the equivalent ENO gear, and usually far more omfortable to boot.

[alifeoutdoors]

Welcome. A lot of fellow hangers down in the southern part of the state for group hangs. You should be sorted out in no time. Also lots of hangs going on state wide in the late summer/fall/late fall.

If you're willing to do a lot of research and spend some extra cash on cuben you can get the weight down. My hanging rig is about identical weight to my previous lightweight ground rig. Takes some time but it's doable.

[FJRpilot]

Welcome from far West Texas, make sure you try to make a group hang near you. Lots of experience and folks willing to share. Glad to have you join us..


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[SilvrSurfr]

Welcome from the Jersey Shore. I really enjoy winter camping (though my skin, unfortunately, doesn't). The ENO kit is going to be about as heavy as you can find on the market - but I'm sure you'll trim that weight down as you learn more about the products available.

[WIBackpacker]

Thanks all!

Honestly it's pretty funny/ironic that I was gifted one of the heaviest possible hammock systems (which I knew absolutely nothing about until I opened the package). I'm one of those oddballs that cuts tags off, drills holes in toothbrushes/plastic stuff, has backpacks and dehydrated recipes for the dogs.... I usually get made fun of for finding new ways to save weight. Ha!

I'm hoping a group hang or two will be in my near future.