Help the new guy find the gettting started stuff.

[timabababaluka]

The videoes are great, and they are all located in the Stickies section at the beginning of each forum. Got a question about suspension?--check out the stickies at the beginning of the suspension forum. The stickies are pinned there permanently because they have been so helpful to so many.

If you have specific questions, you can always use the forum search engine, or even google your question and include "hammock forums" in your search. You can also just ask (which you have already done), and people will usually chime in when they can.

Hope this helps. Nice to have you aboard !

[G.L.P.]

i will say... get yourself a drink... and a snack sit back and read,read,read

watch every video you can find on hammock camping
and check out and website you can find

first get yourself a hammock

then check out some more sites on hammock camping and backpacking

http://hikinghq.net/
backpackinglight.com
watch all of shug and Grizz's videos
and use the Search button at the top of this screen... it will help you find
the info you are looking for alot faster
search youtube... lots of great videos on hammock camping and backpacking
also ask questions... there is no such thing as a dump question.. the only dumb question is the one thats never asked...

[RockChucker30]

I'll echo everyone else. Read and watch the vids, but then do as Shug suggests and get an intro hammock setup.

You'll never fully comprehend what everyone is talking about on here until you've set up, taken down, and slept in a hammock a few nights.

[jima59]

I'm sitting here reading the forums, and twiddling with a piece of amsteel 74,,,, and just enjoying things,,,,, watch the videos, investigate all the gear websites, email them and read up,,, thats how I'm doing...

[Boomer]

Like Shug said, get a cheap hammock and play with setting it up. Maybe $20 for one. That'll give you a good starting point to decide for yourself what "best" means. The consensus is that it's a moving target and you'll have to get another one and another one...

[Mancat]

IMO you have 2 choices:
1. spend $20-50 bucks on a cheap hammock(GTUL or SB). Remember if you hang anywhere where there are bugs you will need a bugnet if you don't buy a hammock that has one. They can run $10-50+. Bottom Insulation: Make a sleeping bag underquilt or buy a cheap pad at least $10 if you don't already have them or a poncho liner underquilt $30. Cheap tarp with webbing loops and no grommets(they will pull out in heavy winds) $30+(hennessy). Grand total=$70-$110+ plus the joy or aggravation of trying to figure out how it all goes together
or
2. Buy the cheapest hennessy that supports your weight(they are nice because they are all in one-hammock/tarp). $100-$150+ Buy an underquilt from one of the cottage shops or a supershelter $100-140+. Grand total of $200-300+ plus much less fiddle factor.

But the best piece of advice I can give you is to get to a group hang or try organize a small one yourself. Just post that you are going somewhere and see if anyone wants to go. You can learn alot by watching videos and reading the forums, but you will learn so much more by attending a group hang. Plus you can normally try out their equipment if you ask nicely.