General Campsite Questions.

[dejoha]

What portable stoves do you use?
- Where did you get it?
- How much did it cost?

Not sure that this is hammock-specific or not. I like my über-light cat-can stove. Probably the simpliest, most efficient alcohol-based stove I've used. When I'm shaving ounces, I like to use alcohol stoves. Some alky stoves burn longer and are better for some types of meals, so if I'm trying to be gourmet, I may bring along a different stove. A few weeks ago, I brought along an MSR Whisperlite because it was a good option for baking pizza.

You can make your own alky stoves for pennies using recycled cans, etc. Check out ZenStoves on the internet.

What foods do you cook in it/take with you on a hike?

A lot of my meals are DIY boil-in-a-bag meals. I like eating foods I can wrap up in a tortilla shell, which is just about anything. Occasionally, I like to cook and bake, but it takes a little more time and weight, so only for special occasions.

Do you use a headlamp/lantern?

- What kind/Where did you get it?
- How much?

One of these days I'll feel like splurging on a light source, but for now, I too am using a $12 Energizer headlamp with ooh-aah five light modes and a red LED. I don't feel so bad with my kids playing with it and it works fine.

Where do you get your ridgelines, more specifically for tarps?
The internet or a store somewhere?

- Could I go to Home Depot?
- What lengths/gauges?

Opie has some great ridgelines, but I think someone else has taken over his operation. I'm sure they are still available. I like the continuous ridgelines, but also favor the end lines too.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...7&postcount=23

[Flatland]

What portable stoves do you use?
- Where did you get it?
- How much did it cost?
pocket rocket, $40. For some reason it seems like this stove is kind of unfashionable, but at 3 ounces this little unit really does the job. Boils water in just a couple minutes. Downside is that the gas canister will last less time than alcohol will. However, for a couple day backpack it's perfect IMO.

http://www.amazon.com/MSR-11792-Pock.../dp/B000A8C5QE

I also have a Gargoyle Gear Gargriller folding wood stove (made by HF member Gargoyle), but I've never actually used it in the field, just played with it at home. It's 9 ounces, but works with unlimited free fuel found in the woods.

http://gargoylegear.webs.com/apps/we...s/show/1610141

What foods do you cook in it/take with you on a hike?
- What kind/Where did you get it?
- How much?

High calorie foods. For dinners I take Lipton Pasta Sides, Mac n Cheese, etc. Ramen noodles. Throw in some vacuum bag tuna or salmon for protein and variety. Hot sauce on everything. PB and J in lightweight tupperware on tortillas for lunch. Oatmeal or cream of wheat for breakfast with powdered milk to make it more palatable. Chocolate.

[silverpoint]

For super bright headlamps very cheap you can buy them direct from hong kong from dealextreme. I've ordered from them many times. It may take a few weeks to get there but the savings are worth it.
http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.906

[dkperdue]

[QUOTE=Bill Cosby;331509]I have a general understanding of what to take suspension wise. DIY Whoopie Slings seem like the way to go.
But I have just a few general questions regarding hammock camping.

What portable stoves do you use?
- Where did you get it?
- How much did it cost?
Trangia alchohol stove from Swedissh surplus mess kit with simmer ring and military messkit / canteen cup. Small folding windscreen to support cooking utensil. Under $20


What foods do you cook in it/take with you on a hike?
Mountain house, individual MRE meal pouches (Food only, not all the other stuff), re-packaged bulk dehydrated in Foodsaver vacuumn packed bags, same with pre-cooked and frozen stuff in same packages.

Do you use a headlamp/lantern?
- What kind/Where did you get it?
- How much?
Cheap Walmart / Ebay brand, More than 20 LED's seems overkill.

Where do you get your ridgelines, more specifically for tarps?
The internet or a store somewhere?
- Could I go to Home Depot?
- What lengths/gauges?

Tarp- I like the reflective line for guy lines. Ebay, outfitter stores, at least one of the sellers on the forum here.
Length- As long as you need it to be. How far apart are the trees?
Learn to make the adjustable lines, or how to use a figure 9, line lock or a tautline hitch type knot and adjust as needed.


Structural ridgeline- Amsteel Blue. 7/64" has a 1500+ lb strength, 1/8" is around 2400 lb ??
Both easy to work with. I do knots with our Scouts but was a little leery of trying all the splices and stuff. Then I started doing them with the guides on the forum here and it is a piece of cake.
Impressed a couple of the other adults on a camp-out recently with a piece of scrap polyester hollow braid line laying around and a twig and made a quick Whoopie sling and they thought it was the neatest thing they had seen.

Don't get caught up in the details. Get some gear and start seeing what works for you.
The structural ridgeline made a world of difference in my hammock comfort.

[TinaLouise]

antigravitygear for my alcohol caldera stove (has pepsi can type stove, pot, pot holder, lid, bottle for alcohol, funnel, insulation around everything, and a plastic container that I use to eat/drink out of and I added a small box of matches). So this is my total mess kit and stove including fuel.

For food, I look for the Lipton pasta or rice with vegs. Or I'll make up something using "freezerbag cooking" cookbook. Also the meals that Antigravitygear sells are very good. I try to do all my meals as freezer bag types (just boil water and cozy for about 10minutes). Getting a dehydrator and doing hamburger and spagettie sauce (seperate of course) and using angle hair spagettie is a really good meal.

[Roadrunnr72]

What portable stoves do you use?
- Where did you get it?
- How much did it cost?
pocket rocket, $40. For some reason it seems like this stove is kind of unfashionable, but at 3 ounces this little unit really does the job. Boils water in just a couple minutes. Downside is that the gas canister will last less time than alcohol will. However, for a couple day backpack it's perfect IMO.

http://www.amazon.com/MSR-11792-Pock.../dp/B000A8C5QE
.

I have to agree with ya on the pocket rocket--great stove. I am working on building my own alcohol stove now, a Penny Alcohol Stove (just google it). Got the Heineken in my hand now.

I am sure a lot of you will think I'm nuts, but to cook with, I have a small coffee pot (percolator from campmor) and use it to boil water, then coffee in the a.m. And now the nuts part, a 6" cast iron skillet.

[Bill Cosby]

Thanks again for the info guys.
I have another question, I also asked this over in the suspension forums.
How do you guys who use whoopie slings attach it to your hammock?
A simple larkshead to the balled up fabric? Or do you use another method?
Thanks in advance.

[Flatland]

Thanks again for the info guys.
I have another question, I also asked this over in the suspension forums.
How do you guys who use whoopie slings attach it to your hammock?
A simple larkshead to the balled up fabric? Or do you use another method?
Thanks in advance.

Check out this video; it shows you exactly how to rig a whoopie sling to a gathered-end style hammock.



I personally have adopted the popular marlin spike hitch using a trail stick as a toggle on my tree huggers.

[Bill Cosby]

Is there anywhere that sells tree strap webbing and toggles on the same site to save shipping?
I'm having a hard time even finding toggles, is there anything else that I can use to replace them?

[Raul Perez]

Is there anywhere that sells tree strap webbing and toggles on the same site to save shipping?
I'm having a hard time even finding toggles, is there anything else that I can use to replace them?

www.whoopieslings.com

BAM