Asking for advice/assistance

**hrairoorah** · 07-10-2011, 06:53

FLRider thanks for all your suggestions.
Thank you for everyone else that offer tips and ideas. I REALLY appreciate it. I am now working on my priority list and I know some items I need to get/make.
I'll post some pics and a report after our first trip.
Thanks again guys.

**oldgringo** · 07-10-2011, 07:24

There are two WM blue pads...one is plain closed cell foam, and is 20" wide...not really wide enough. The other is sort of wafflated (yeah, I made that up!), and is 25" wide...much better for hammocks. Also, imo, it stays where you put it a little bit better than the smaller pad.

**L.D. Cakes** · 07-10-2011, 07:43

Have you considered military poncho liners for top insulation? You may already have one. But they are nice used as blankets and I've been studying on the idea that they could be doubled over and made into a light over quilt with a little sewing.

**hrairoorah** · 07-10-2011, 07:46

Originally Posted by ldcakes

Have you considered military poncho liners for top insulation? You may already have one. But they are nice used as blankets and I've been studying on the idea that they could be doubled over and made into a light over quilt with a little sewing.

No I haven't. That is something I'll look into. Thanks for the great idea.

**hrairoorah** · 07-10-2011, 07:48

Originally Posted by oldgringo

There are two WM blue pads...one is plain closed cell foam, and is 20" wide...not really wide enough. The other is sort of wafflated (yeah, I made that up!), and is 25" wide...much better for hammocks. Also, imo, it stays where you put it a little bit better than the smaller pad.

I'm glad you told me that. I'm sure I would have picked the wrong one.

**TinaLouise** · 07-10-2011, 07:52

Originally Posted by hrairoorah

I purchased 2 hammocks from Hammock Bliss, I got some amsteel and made whoopies. A kind person gave me a used optimus crux stove and I have 2 IMUSA aluminum cups. I have a couple of pieces of Tvyek for tarps, if we need them and a couple of cheap, made in china backpacks to haul the stuff in.
In your opinion, what do I need to get next?

Insulation is one of my most expensive gear items and I don't see any on your list of gear. My cheapest under quilt is made with a used military poncho liner that I got at a Surplus store. It can be used just as is when you buy it because it's got tie-outs all around it. I just tied it under my hammock. But then I decided to sew some channels into it and added shockcord. This makes it super easy to hang under my hammock and didn't add that much more to the total cost. It is a bit heavyer than down quilts. And it's not thick enough for any cold weather hangs. But it will do well enough for any temps not going down close to freezing, say about 40 degrees or so.
Do carry some kind of bottom insulation because sleeping cold is awful in a hammock.

TinaLouise

**pedro** · 07-10-2011, 08:26

One thing that you may want to consider is a wood burning stove. The fuel is free, the materials are free, there are many designs that you can DIY. If you make a penny wood stove out of a tomato can, it will fit inside your IMUSA mug.

RE: wallyworld pads: The waffle type are wider and can be used without additional insulation for your shoulders. The flat ones are warmer as they are thicker uniformly. They are narrow enough that you will have to tape "wings" onto the sides for shoulder coverage, or make an SPE (segmented pad extender). IMHO there is no right or wrong WW pad, it's a matter of preference.

**hrairoorah** · 07-11-2011, 07:25

Originally Posted by pedro

One thing that you may want to consider is a wood burning stove. The fuel is free, the materials are free, there are many designs that you can DIY. If you make a penny wood stove out of a tomato can, it will fit inside your IMUSA mug.

RE: wallyworld pads: The waffle type are wider and can be used without additional insulation for your shoulders. The flat ones are warmer as they are thicker uniformly. They are narrow enough that you will have to tape "wings" onto the sides for shoulder coverage, or make an SPE (segmented pad extender). IMHO there is no right or wrong WW pad, it's a matter of preference.

After reading your comment, I made a bushbuddy stove. I need to cut the cans down so that it fits in the IMUSA mug. I can't wait to give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion.

KP · 07-11-2011, 08:55

Originally Posted by hrairoorah

After reading your comment, I made a bushbuddy stove. I need to cut the cans down so that it fits in the IMUSA mug. I can't wait to give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion.

I would pack the Optimus Crux stove or esbit fuel tablets just in case the homemade stove doesn't perform as hoped. I always pack esbit cubes whether it be because I've decided it to be my primary fuel or as a backup. I can use it for other purposes, not just for cooking. Four esbit cubes weigh much less than 4 onces of alcohol or a typical fuel canister and they pack extremely small and have never failed to light. During warm weather half a cube will simmer 2 cups of water which is hot enough for freezer bag cooking or coffee or cocoa. However, you will need a pot stand for your pot and those are super easy to make. As far as a "stove" for the esbit just find a flatish small rock to set the cube on, place your pot stand over it, wrap a windscreen around it (I use a Caldera Cone) and start heating your water. The height/thickness of the rock depends on the height of your pot stand. You want the flame to be around 2 to 2.5 inches below the bottom of the pot. Now, if you want fast no fiddle factor cooking than the canister or white gas stoves are the ticket.

Anyway, just my opinion.

KP

**hrairoorah** · 07-11-2011, 09:25

Originally Posted by KP

I would pack the Optimus Crux stove or esbit fuel tablets just in case the homemade stove doesn't perform as hoped. I always pack esbit cubes whether it be because I've decided it to be my primary fuel or as a backup. I can use it for other purposes, not just for cooking. Four esbit cubes weigh much less than 4 onces of alcohol or a typical fuel canister and they pack extremely small and have never failed to light. During warm weather half a cube will simmer 2 cups of water which is hot enough for freezer bag cooking or coffee or cocoa. However, you will need a pot stand for your pot and those are super easy to make. As far as a "stove" for the esbit just find a flatish small rock to set the cube on, place your pot stand over it, wrap a windscreen around it (I use a Caldera Cone) and start heating your water. The height/thickness of the rock depends on the height of your pot stand. You want the flame to be around 2 to 2.5 inches below the bottom of the pot. Now, if you want fast no fiddle factor cooking than the canister or white gas stoves are the ticket.

Anyway, just my opinion.

KP

I definitely will pack the Optimus crux. I have 2 fuel canisters for it and plan on it being my main stove. The wood burner is a backup/test stove.