Hello from Bellingham, WA.

**Mindwalk** · 06-07-2010, 00:08

Greetings all.

I am completely new to camping/hiking/hammocking (if that’s a word yet). I've been hanging out recently with a friend of mine (known as Kritter on this forum), who has got me into the unfortunate habit of trying to get into shape: thus the introduction to hiking and using a hammock to camp out with.

At this time, I have 0 skills and 0 experience (outside of walking on trails). However, usually when I get into something, I like to really get into it. After perusing this site and others for the last couple of weeks, I am leaning towards a Warbonnet Blackbird Double Layer Hammock and a Molly Mac Gear IX UQ. I am still researching for a good/light/cheap TQ and Tarp. Please feel free to make suggestions or give me some additional ideas and considerations.

Also, if you can think of anything else I could use or would be good to gain knowledge about, I would appreciate it; as Kritter would too, so I don’t keep pestering him.

Thanks, and I look forward to learning from you all.

**mbiraman** · 06-07-2010, 00:16

Welcome to the forum Mindwalk. Blackbird is a good choice. There seems to be about a 3-4 wk wait on the blackbird so if its what you want order it soon so your able to get a few months of hangin opportunity.you can't go wrong with any of the UQ and TQ choices you'll find here on the forum. Good luck in the comfortable life

**Poppabear** · 06-07-2010, 00:26

There quite a few members here that make and sell some very fine top quilts and tarps. Check out the manufacturers and service section of the forum.

**Kallorne** · 06-07-2010, 00:30

welcome from the other side, i've got a few good friends over in b-ham actually... anyway you might try slapping together a diy hammock to tide you over to your warbonnet, they can be done very cheaply with about 2 hours of vested time. it would give you a better idea of what exactly is important to you in a hammock. and you'll want a tarp with good coverage with all this rain.

**Bat** · 06-07-2010, 00:43

Welcome to the club!

**fr8pilot1** · 06-07-2010, 10:54

Glad to have you on the forum, you have a wealth of information available to you here.

**Tikki-Tavi** · 06-07-2010, 11:46

Hi Mindwalk,

Welcome to the forum from a fellow NW newbie. Over the last month I have learned a lot by reading here, and a lot more by trying out some of what I read for my self. (Tying different knots / hitches is a special kind of fun in the dark and the rain)

. Enjoy! Share what you learn!
-Tikki-Tavi

**Hulk** · 06-07-2010, 12:19

Hello Mindwalk, this is a great forum for learning and sharing about gear knowledge. It's the best one i have found so far.

Since as you state you are completely new to camping, hiking, you might not be aware of this site yet>>http://www.nwhikers.net/<< nwhikers is by far the best site for information of local hikes.

**Shadowmoss** · 06-07-2010, 18:42

I will be back to the Olympia/Tacoma area next week (on vacation now in TN) and I have a wb double layer hammo k you can try out. Pick a place to meet - the park in bremmerton was awesome but don't know where you are in relation) and I'll show up with my assortment of hammocks and underquilt and packs and... I have a lot of gear...

I fly back the 12th so any weekend after that.

**Roach** · 06-07-2010, 18:50

Mindwalk,
You certainly picked the right place for info in getting started. I have found the folks here to be genuine, good people with lots of experience to share. So don't be afriad to ask questions.

I gotta warn you though, as a newbie myself, this is addicting! I don't think I could ever sleep on the ground again.

Happy Hangin'

Roach