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  1. #1
    New Member
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    Jul 2010
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    Kansas City, MO
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    I'm a Hammock "maybe" wannabe...

    I am intrigued with the idea of converting to using a Hammock. Can I REALLY be comfortable in one?

    I am presently reviewing all of my gear and carefully thinking through how I can be more efficient, light weight and ready to go at all times. I belong to a disaster relief organization where I hope to be a first responder that will be on call to go anywhere in the world, in any conditions where a disaster has occurred leaving people homeless. I need to choose the best "all around" equipment to live in various conditions ranging from swampy flood to ice cold and rocky.

    Please help me understand and believe everything I am reading online that describes Hammocks as comfortable. ARE THEY REALLY?

  2. #2
    Senior Member Hawk-eye's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Oak Ridge & Linville Gorge, North Carolina
    Hammock
    HHE, 2QZQ Mod4, Jerry 5 DIY
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    Well yeah ... for a heck of lot of people ... just going to have to find out for yourself! Doesn't matter what everyone else says ... read the options ... give it a try ... ya might like it.

    I've been doing it for about 9 years now and have no desire to go to ground again ... but that's me.

    WARNING: Will discuss Rhurbarb Strawberry Pie and Livermush at random.


    "A democracy is two wolves and a small lamb voting on what to have for dinner.
    Freedom under a constitutional republic is a well armed lamb contesting the vote." ... B.Franklin


    Home of the Gorge Rats: Linville Gorge
    My Videos YouTube Channel
    Photo collections Flickr Photostream


    Gorge Rat Productions On FaceBook

  3. #3
    Senior Member Hawk-eye's Avatar
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    Feb 2007
    Location
    Oak Ridge & Linville Gorge, North Carolina
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    HHE, 2QZQ Mod4, Jerry 5 DIY
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    ... OH and a big NC Welcome to the group! Glad to have you here.

    WARNING: Will discuss Rhurbarb Strawberry Pie and Livermush at random.


    "A democracy is two wolves and a small lamb voting on what to have for dinner.
    Freedom under a constitutional republic is a well armed lamb contesting the vote." ... B.Franklin


    Home of the Gorge Rats: Linville Gorge
    My Videos YouTube Channel
    Photo collections Flickr Photostream


    Gorge Rat Productions On FaceBook

  4. #4
    Senior Member Raul Perez's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Long Island, NY
    Hammock
    1.1 Blackbird or Traveler SL
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    OES Deluxe Cuben
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    Yeti - all seasons
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    Dynaglide Whoopies
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    Plenty of books and youtube videos on the subject. Some can camp as low as -25*F in a hammock.

    I have a few friends who converted... They will never turn back.

    Best part.... waking up with NO SORE SPOTS and feeling refreshed.

    Worst part.... I just figured this out 2 years ago. I could have been doing this my whole life.

  5. #5
    Senior Member canoeski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    South-central Wisconsin
    Hammock
    HH UExpl; WBBB; JRB BMBH
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    CCS; HH Hex; WB Su
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    MW-3, Sierra Sniv
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    Woopie, Dutch Clip
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    Quote Originally Posted by goalby View Post
    I am intrigued with the idea of converting to using a Hammock. Can I REALLY be comfortable in one?
    ...
    Please help me understand and believe everything I am reading online that describes Hammocks as comfortable. ARE THEY REALLY?
    Get up off your pad and try one

    I have been only doing it less than one year after sleeping on the ground for 30.
    I have taken to sleeping in hammock in the the back yard more than half the nights at home. (last night I slept in bed for the first time in a week, and woke up all sore and stiff: arthritis. Never happens in the hammock. I camp at least once a month and haven't slept on the ground since I got the hammocks.

    It may not work in all environments (no trees or suitable posts for hanging), but it does open up even more options that the ground in other environments (wet, lumpy, crowded).

    Oh, and WELCOME to HF.

    Try it, you'll like it.
    Not all who wander are lost.

  6. #6
    Senior Member Cannibal's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Hammock
    Warbonnet ON!
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    SuperFly or MacCat
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    Webbing and rings
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    Quote Originally Posted by canoeski View Post
    Get up off your pad and try one
    Yep, there is a growing contingent of hangers from Kansas and Missouri. Hopefully you can find one that will let you try their hammock and you'll see for yourself. But worst case scenario, go to REI and buy one. If you don't like it, just take it back. My bet is you won't be standing in the return line anytime soon.

    Welcome to the Forums!
    Trust nobody!

  7. #7
    Senior Member Poppabear's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Lexington Park, MD
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    Warbonnet Blackbird 1.7
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    Whoopies/Treestrap
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    Once you hang in the air in hammock you will never want to go back to the ground again. Look around here on the forums you will find many converts here. In fact most of us started on the ground . By various paths we found our way into a hammock and have never looked back or regreted doing it.
    Terry

  8. #8
    all secure in sector 7 Shug's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Minnesota
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    I have many so....
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    Blackcrow DIY Tarp
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    Hey There!
    Well, they are to me .... but everyone differs as to what gear will work.
    You seem curious .... and slightly skeptical ...... but the only way to know is to try.
    They are not for everyone but if they work then time in the piney woods is even more fun. To me at least.
    Shug
    Whooooo Buddy)))) All Secure in Sector Seven

  9. #9
    Senior Member Hangin' Burrito's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    In the North Carolina mountains!
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    Black DIY dual zipper
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    1,535
    I've got one set up on the deck, and have been hangin' for over a year almost every night. Including ALL winter!

    I've never woke up in the morning sore or regretful.
    "Is this the best you've got?!!" (Shortoff Mtn., Linville Gorge 2010)

    "Life is tough.....it's even tougher if you're stupid!".....(John Wayne)

  10. #10
    Senior Member MikeM's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Sherburne, NY
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    I don't know about your particular disaster relief organization, but I work for the Red Cross, and as much as I love my hammock, knowing the realities of shelters and tent cities, I would not bring it along. Things get stolen, also it is not the best idea to stand out from the crowd when on assignment, and finally, in many scenarios you will not be in a location where the hanging of the hammock is possible (urban disaster locations, tent cities, flooded towns don't tend to be hanger friendly).

    If you are going with a large org that has a SOP for operations, use that as you standard for what you bring along. If it is anything like the Red Cross and you are doing relief ops (ERV, assessment, client case work, logistics etc) you may have some flexibility in where you stay, but shelter ops you will be staying right in the shelters 24/7.
    -Mike

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