Hi,
So glad to find this forum. Hoping to get a bit of advice....
I´m not so ´new´or new to hammock camping exactly - tho didn´t know there were so many ppl out there enjoying this style of travel!
Last year as a birthday present to myself, I spent 8 weeks hammock camping in Panama. Of course I´ve spent considerable time enjoying hammocks in many situations living in Costa Rica the past 4 years. A few years back I didn´t know hammocks were comfortable - go figure with those waffle leg maker - button eater - fishing nets that are sold to most americans.
I had - yup sold it to a really big guy who always wanted a hammock, I just couldn´t say no to the poor man - a Hammock Bliss triple with mosquito cocoon, used it as my bedroom on a couple farms, then as a spare room for visiting friends in an indian village before I sold it. I made my own mosquito cocoon the second time and used it on an inexpensive local made hammock for the 8 week trip - worked fine - used plastic sheeting from a hardware store for a tarp. Was fun and I slept like a baby. And ya it was not lite... but hey I didn´t need many clothes and sodas or pulperias were close by so I didn´t need to carry food or hike a really long way (well, a couple times).
SOOOO - I have some time on my hands, yet again, and just decided it is time to hike the AT. Yup at 52-3 (I´ll have a birthday out there) I´m gonna just do it. I am on a limited budget and have a few things already. I LOVE Simplicity and minimalism and being frugal.... What advice do you have about gear - especially a choice of hammock on a budget. I will probly use the backpack I have now, it´s seen some use and it´s fine so why change. I love bandanas and have a collection - probly 3 will go with me, just cause, I use them for everything - towel-washcloth-hankie(a ladies snot rag guys)-coffee filter-make your own cheese cloth-heck you name it....
I also have a good long sleeved zip shirt from LLBean I´ll keep and use.
Due to stuff beyond my control, I will start my hike during the first week of May. Oh and another factor - I live out of my backpack, so nothing stays ´home´, it just gets recycled or freecycled!
Please forgive my attempt at humor, if it isn´t to your liking, it certainly is not intended to offend anyone.
(In case you are wondering, I grew up in Maine, spent 20+ yrs in VA, 5 yrs in Times Square NYC and 4 yrs in Costa Rica... )
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