New to trees

**Ziege** · 06-02-2010, 17:53

Greets from a tree-having-place noob! Seriously, a few years ago I moved "back east" (to Dallas) after 30 years in the treeless wests. The vast majority of my camping experience involves sand, rocks, and a few hardy shrubs or overgrown yuccas. And bringing my own water...lots of water, if I plan to do anything but sleep. I'm slowly adapting to the wet and tree-filled mid-to-eastern US.

I camp from Motorcycles, cars, whatever...I'm hoping to add airplanes (and not the commercial jet kind) to that list soon. I know that there are a few motorcycle campers hanging out here along with the hiking crowd. I'll do day hikes but I have no experience with longer hikes (50lbs of water plus whatever camping gear you need, on your back, seems...less than fun).

Oh, and I'm planning to ride (motorcycle) from Dallas to SW Colorado in a few weeks. I'm gearing for that trip now. The plan is to stay in state parks on the way out and back, and find my own campsites in national forests while I'm in Colorado. My current bivvy+"hiking" air mattress+pads+bag combo is, well...it's fine, I've used it on nights with a low of 18f and a low of probably 95f, but I'm thinking better is possible.

As you might imagine, I'm not too familiar with hammock camping. I've slept in a few (in frames), I stretched out in a Hennessy Expedition a week or so ago along with an ENO and a couple of Byers. Seems like a good idea and the Hennessy was comfortable except for that whole extreme urge to cut my way out with my pocket knife thing. That may have been me though. The buzz around here is obviously Warbonnet and I think his DL 1.7 would serve my needs well, but no guarantee he'll have them in time for this trip.

I'm still kinda puzzled about the planning aspects of hammock camping. I pretty well know how to ground camp anywhere, so my current planning is basically, "Legal? Reachable? Good to go." Maybe not the ideal way but applying my desert biases to a forest probably won't hurt. Much. Not since about three years ago in Mississippi anyway (mosquito lesson...think hamburger skin). I'm really operating blind when it comes to the whole "must camp amidst the trees" angle though.

So, that's me. Hi!

**krugd** · 06-02-2010, 18:00

Welcome to the forums. Sounds like you've done some reading on the forums already. Hope we can all be of some help to you.

**Ziege** · 06-02-2010, 18:36

Thanks for the welcome, Don.

I have done quite a bit of reading here and elsewhere. Hopefully I actually found the right stuff and understood what I read...no guarantees...but if you've got to start somewhere, reading is hard to beat.

**mbiraman** · 06-02-2010, 18:46

Welcome to the forum. It all may seem a bit overwhelming at first but you'll piece it together bit by bit. Have a look at Jeff's "to the woods" website as well as Shug's 10 part series on video. Know that if you buy good equipment it will probably work for you providing sizing is right. Feel free to ask questions as we respond quick and like to help.

**Cranky Bear** · 06-02-2010, 18:47

Welcome to HF!
If you can't find what your looking for, ask away! The people here are the best, very knowledgeable, very nice, and always trying to help!!!!!

**Shug** · 06-02-2010, 18:57

A Whooooo Buddy to ya' there Ziege.....
Here is my hammock Video series ... may help you or may just plain ol' corn-fuse you!
Shug's Hammock how To for New Texas Fellers.
Shug

**Optimus** · 06-02-2010, 19:05

I've always had the privlige of camping/hiking in forests; the gentle and predictable Sierras at that, where water is usually everywhere. Reading your post made me feel spoiled

Welcome to the silver spoons lifestyle of larger fauna!

And welcome to the Forum!

Slopes

**Poppabear** · 06-02-2010, 19:24

Welcome to the forums. With some basic knowledge gleaned from these forums. You are pretty much ready to start hammock camping. Find two trees string up your hammock and let the learning process and fun begin. Adjusting and fine tuning you hanging technique is an on going process. Enjoy!

**Cannibal** · 06-02-2010, 23:03

Welcome to the Forums!
Heads-up: It's illegal to hammock camp in Colorado State Parks. National Parks and Forests are your best bet.

**fr8pilot1** · 06-03-2010, 08:08

Motorcycle camper here as well. Love packing up the bike and heading out. I am also very new to hammocks, but with the forum you will be up to speed in no time. Welcome.