Hi guys
Been hammocking for a while now but I only recently came across this forum. I have been hanging around and reading for a few weeks but now I thought I would share with you my first hammock camping experience as an introduction.
Several years ago I decided I would like to get myself a hammock and maybe try camping in it. I picked one up fairly cheap on Ebay, pretty basic and only rated to 90kg. Not gathered end, more like a Brazilian where the suspension is made up of lots of smaller strings. Well, the first time I took it camping, my friend invited his mate Robbo. Robbo is a big bloke, I reckon he must weigh 120 kg or more. All was going well and I had tested the hammock out with success, when Robbo comes over and goes "Right, let's see how tough this thing is." He hopped straight in and there was a stretching and tearing sound as it got lower and lower. He got out pretty quick after that. The hammock wasn't broken but the holes where the string went through the hammock were slightly longer. Robbo proceeded to set up his swag practically underneath me on the tarp with all the other ground dwellers. Every time he rolled over I could feel it!
So not a great experience first time, but I persevered and last year got a Hennessy Expedition zip, and am lovin' it.
I've learned a lot since joining HF, like I never realised how much heat you lose by compressing your sleeping bag in a hammock... so that's why I used to get so cold. And I've ordered some Amsteel Blue from AHE (can't seem to find it in Australia) to have a go at making my own whoopie slings. I think I will also try to make myself an underquilt later, so many great instructions to choose from.
Thanks to all the hammock freaks out there (that's you, Shug) and no offence, I mean that in the best possible way.
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