SB LightHiker arrived!!

[sandykayak]

My back deck light was out, so I had to hang it on the vario stand in the semi-dark. IT'S A BEAUT!!!

Since I've already owned and slept in the original 1.9 (or is it 1.7?) double, I can make a comparison.

Weight out of the box: 2 lbs.
(okay, okay, for the gram weenies: 1 lb. 15.3oz) but scales differ.

It's a channel end and comes with a pair of whoopie slings already threaded.

The pair of 6' straps (1", feel silky, like my seatbelt ones, but lighter)
have a loop at each end and weigh 3.8 oz (for both).

I just hung the whoopies to the vario stand.

The best thing is that since I'm only 5' tall, I don't have all that extra fabric and space. and I can reach the storage pockets!

I was able to turn around inside. Will add an extra strip of velcro in the middle to keep the top layer in place - it has a strip of velcro at each end.

I will need to modify it to get the spreader bars or similar (no Gander mountain near here and our local outfitter closed last year) as I really do like that spread out feeling, though the net was fine. I just got spoiled.

My problem was not knowing how I was going to attach the straps to the whoopies. (Saw Alan's pix, but don't really like to use carabiners.)

I had bought Opie's all-in-one suspension system but since this has whoopies, I'm not going to switch em out (somehow I seem to have two other sets of whoopies - must have ordered more than I thought!).

The suspension I used with the original SB was an amasteel loop threaded through the channel and larksheaded, the brushed cinch buckles (both from Arrowhead), and a set of seatbelt straps.

I loved the ease of set up and adjustment and yesterday read the recent threads about several people going back from whoopies to straps and buckles.

I have a pair of dutch clips. suggestions requested ref how to attach these straps to the whoopies.

I am so happy that I have just put to Byer's Moskito Travellers for sale. I was hanging onto them cos I felt the original SB was too big for my Miniposa backpack - not enough room for other stuff.

Now, I'm going to order the McCat Deluxe...and might end up putting my really nice BWDD 10 x 12 tarp for sale.

[sandykayak]

this is what I have

http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...age.php?i=8345


can I larkshead the whoopies thru the cinch buckles without having to pull them out of the hammock channel? am having a hard time visualizing, but something says this won't work and I'll have to unthread.

I "need" the cinch buckles as a drip ring anyway. I tied some felt strips last night. I don't like descender rings, tho Opie's all-in-one has one ring, which acts as a drip ring, but he has spliced the loops to the ring.

[GGT]

You can get them seperate on the all in one system if you ask nice ordered a set today with seperate loops no extra charge

[islander]

Wow! Congrats on the new hammock Sandy! I'm jealous.
I loved the Original SB you had. The comfort difference from my WBBB night/day difference.
And now with you describing your comfort in the "Light/Shorter" version, has me with the hook set in my wallet for sure.

Thank you for getting the word out Sandy.

[MAD777]

Congratulations Sandy! I think the LightHiker is perfectly suited to you

[Alan]

Excellent!
Be sure and post some pictures if you can.

[sandykayak]

I'm afraid I haven't learned digital photography and transmission yet!

Second night in the LH and I'm even more amazed. I used Gossamer Gear's 1/4" evazote (sp?) 44" wide pad w/ about 5-6" trimmed from each side and the top and bottom corners cut diagonally.

When I was in a comfortable diagonal position, I realized that there was a cold spot on my shoulder, so I moved a bit to the center...and was still comfortable.

On a bed, I'm mostly a side sleeper, but in a hammock I sleep fine on my back (I think the elevated head helps my sleep apnea). But in the early morning, I turned on my side (first time ever in a hammock) and it was really comfortable.

I've started a new thread in the general forum to ask for advice on pads.

Will be taking it on a 3-day Peace River kayak camping trip from 2/19-21....

[MAD777]

Enjoy the Peace River! I haven't been up there in years but it was one of my regular haunts when I was young

[sandykayak]

I got an email from dale saying that the carabiner is the recommended joiner between the strap and the whoopie.

Fortunately, the whoopies alone reached the ends of the vario stand, but what if someone was going on a trip.

First you have to find what kind of carabiner is strong enough, where to buy one, place the order, pay for the shipping, and then wait a few days.

Not only that, but they don't come with instructions and even I, who have been on the forum for a year or so...was not sure what to do. I would have made the mental and physical connection if the biners had come with it.

Is it too much to expect that a high end hammock should come ready to hang?

Sorry, Dale, had to make this comment. I feel the carabiners should have been included.

[Alan]

This is how I rigged mine.