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  1. #1
    New Member Canned Heat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    SW Michigan
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.7
    Tarp
    WL Tadpole camo
    Insulation
    pending tewa a-f
    Suspension
    Monroe shocks
    Posts
    20

    Trying again in Michigan

    Greetings,

    This site has been highly recommended to me by 4 members of another backpacking site. I have a game plan for getting into hammock hiking and can definitely use some help. First some background:

    I live in west Michigan and have been into ultralight hiking (UL) for about 5 years. My current pack weight varies between 9 and 10 lbs for up to 7 days. Soon after getting into UL I took a shot at hammocking and frequently checked sites at Clark, Hennessey, Speer, Sgt Rock and Risk.

    I purchased a Speer kit. My wife sewed; we gathered the ends and sewed on the straps and I was pleased with our efforts. Then my troubles began, mostly operator error I'm sure (and not a reflection of the kit). I,m 6'0" and 205#. The hammock fit me like a taco, pinching my shoulders even though I was lying diagonally. I got in with my boots on once and rubbed a thin area in the fabric. The straps seem to stretch and I could never keep the right sag. Finally, I did not like velcro'ing the mosquito netting and would have liked some simpler method for ingress and egress.

    At the time I had not found this site and had no real resources to bounce ideas and problems off of. Now I still very much like the concept of hanging. My main goal in joining this site is to be hanging next spring. Until then I will spend the time:

    -Getting familiar with the content and layout of this site
    -Researching
    -Asking questions from members of this site
    -Build a kit with little more than a 1# net increase to my current pack weight (stay UL).
    -Meeting hangers in and around Michigan so that I can see their gear and techniques.
    -Planning for sleep temps from 25F - 75F, bugs and rain.

    When I first tried hanging I did not know about ridgelines and I don't think whoopie slings existed. I'm a total newb and will have a million questions (though I will try to use the Search function often). I will happily listen to all the advice I can get and would be really grateful to see some of this gear in person.

    If anyone has ideas on how to go about this other than what I've outlined above let me know. Otherwise, thanks in advance for future advice.

  2. #2
    Senior Member NCPatrick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Hammock
    WB Traveler
    Tarp
    Custom OES tarp
    Insulation
    JRB Down UQ/TQ
    Suspension
    Whoopie slings
    Posts
    8,797
    Images
    40
    Welcome to HF! Glad you found the site. Take a look around, read what you find interesting, ask any questions you have, and you will be right at home in no time.


    "Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities."
    - Mark Twain
    “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”
    - John Burroughs

  3. #3
    Senior Member angrysparrow's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    near Memphis, TN
    Hammock
    WB Traveler
    Tarp
    ZPacks CF
    Insulation
    Te-Wa / HG / WB
    Suspension
    Whoopie Hooks
    Posts
    9,646
    Images
    92
    Welcome to the forum.

    There has been quite a lot of discussion on the site recently about SUL hammock setups, including some of the folks you mentioned. You'll find some great answers.

    Start here and here, and follow the rabbit trails of info that are linked therein. You'll get up to speed quickly, I'm sure.
    “I think that when the lies are all told and forgot the truth will be there yet. It dont move about from place to place and it dont change from time to time. You cant corrupt it any more than you can salt salt.” - Cormac McCarthy

  4. #4
    Senior Member Dblcorona's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Novi, MI
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.7 DBL
    Tarp
    HG Cuben
    Insulation
    Sleeping BearTQ/UQ
    Suspension
    Straps and Slings
    Posts
    951
    Images
    18
    Welcome aboard from another MI hammocker. I'm sure you'll find the right combination for getting off the ground.

  5. #5
    Senior Member Barefoot Child's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Charlotte, Michigan
    Hammock
    WB Tribe
    Tarp
    OGeeTarp & OES
    Insulation
    PHOENIX/BURROW
    Suspension
    Webbing N Whoopie
    Posts
    1,286
    Howdy Nieghbor and welcome to the forums.

    Just what part of SW Michigan do you hail from if'n you don't mind me asking.

    I used to live in Kalamazoo and now live in Charlotte, which is just south of Lansing. There are several forum members in the west and southwest part of Michigan, and I'm sure they will post on this here thread you have started. If you want Michiganders to respond, it has been my experience and observation that all you have to do is put the word "Michigan" in the post title and they seem to come out of the woodwork.

    For many of your DIY and other questions...just wait until "Gargoyle" responds and direct alot of your questions his way. That boy has done many DIY projects and has a very ingenius mind. He can invision things right in his brain, and very quickly also.

    I hope this has helped you, and again I say "Welcome"!

    Happy trails,
    Barefoot child
    "If'n I'm gonna fall, someone is gonna' watch."
    Sean Emery

  6. #6
    Senior Member Bubba's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    SW Ontario, Canada
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.7 SL
    Tarp
    WB Superfly
    Insulation
    WB and UGQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies or Straps
    Posts
    7,184
    Images
    248
    Welcome to the hang. Good group of people here.

  7. #7
    Senior Member pgibson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    SW Idaho
    Hammock
    AHE 1.1 dbl
    Tarp
    AHE Shangi La
    Insulation
    KAQ Prototype
    Suspension
    AHE Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    6,955
    Welcome on over Canned heat, glad you decided to join us here. There are a lot of folks in MI, think I may have already mentioned that, I am sure one can help you get set.
    Arrowhead Equipment -- For all your hammock camping and backpacking gear
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  8. #8
    Senior Member gargoyle's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Muskegon MI
    Hammock
    G-Bird II/Bridge
    Tarp
    Ogee tarp
    Insulation
    DIY TQ DIY Down UQ
    Suspension
    whoopies
    Posts
    6,686
    Images
    45
    Welcome Canned Heat.
    I would be delighted to show off some gear and talk hammocks.
    Ambulo tua ambulo.

  9. #9
    Senior Member Barefoot Child's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Charlotte, Michigan
    Hammock
    WB Tribe
    Tarp
    OGeeTarp & OES
    Insulation
    PHOENIX/BURROW
    Suspension
    Webbing N Whoopie
    Posts
    1,286
    See...I told you he would be signing in.

    Now, here is your chance to ask away!
    "If'n I'm gonna fall, someone is gonna' watch."
    Sean Emery

  10. #10
    all secure in sector 7 Shug's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Minnesota
    Hammock
    I have many so....
    Tarp
    Blackcrow DIY Tarp
    Insulation
    FrankenquiltUQ/Pod
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    Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    23,394
    Images
    62
    Whoooo Buddy welcome. I like the band Canned Heat!!!!!
    Shug
    Whooooo Buddy)))) All Secure in Sector Seven

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