Tips for a beginner?

**Kshatriya** · 06-24-2008, 21:07

I'm going to be hitchhiking across the country this summer, and I am thinking about using a hammock/tarp combo to guarantee shelter. I have looked around some, but hammocks seem to be rather expensive, and I don't know where to begin with them. What are some tips for a beginner, things I should know about hammock camping, etc.? If you can suggest a particular hammock than is simple to use, and rather cheap, that would be useful too. I am not educated enough to tell one hammock apart from the other.

**FanaticFringer** · 06-24-2008, 21:30

Originally Posted by Kshatriya

I'm going to be hitchhiking across the country this summer, and I am thinking about using a hammock/tarp combo to guarantee shelter. I have looked around some, but hammocks seem to be rather expensive, and I don't know where to begin with them. What are some tips for a beginner, things I should know about hammock camping, etc.? If you can suggest a particular hammock than is simple to use, and rather cheap, that would be useful too. I am not educated enough to tell one hammock apart from the other.

My advise would be to go here first.

www.tothewoods.net/HammockCamping.html

**FanaticFringer** · 06-24-2008, 21:35

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...t=best+hammock

**headchange4u** · 06-25-2008, 09:47

Welcome to Hammock Forums. Where are you located in Ky?

FF's link to Just Jeff's site is a great primer for those new to the hammock camping scene.

**bry961** · 06-25-2008, 11:24

Originally Posted by headchange4u

Welcome to Hammock Forums. Where are you located in Ky?

FF's link to Just Jeff's site is a great primer for those new to the hammock camping scene.

Just Jeffs site is what got me hooked!

**rigidpsycho** · 06-25-2008, 12:36

Welcome to the site. You should have no problem in finding the info you need from all of the great experienced hangers here. As headchange4u asked what part of KY are you from?

**Kshatriya** · 06-25-2008, 19:25

Originally Posted by FanaticFringer

My advise would be to go here first.

www.tothewoods.net/HammockCamping.html

Originally Posted by FanaticFringer

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...t=best+hammock

These were good reads. How does that Claytor Jungle Hammock compare to the Hennessy Expedtition? I went to some outdoors sports shops and the only complete hammock packages available are Expeditions, and it looked like a fine tent. Is the Claytor similar, just a larger and camouflaged hammock? I am not a large guy, so if the main difference is the size, Claytor may be unnecessary.

I'm assuming all trustworthy hammocks are going to run around the $150 at the minimum. I was hoping they would be cheaper, since I am going to be hitchhiking, and may not even need the shelter.

I need to make a decision on a hammock before Monday, because I'm going on a trip, and won't be able to order one while I'm gone. When I come back, I'm am only going to be around for a couple of days before starting my cross-country trip.

Originally Posted by headchange4u

Welcome to Hammock Forums. Where are you located in Ky?

FF's link to Just Jeff's site is a great primer for those new to the hammock camping scene.

Originally Posted by rigidpsycho

Welcome to the site. You should have no problem in finding the info you need from all of the great experienced hangers here. As headchange4u asked what part of KY are you from?

I'm from southeastern Kentucky, about an hour and a half down the interstate from Lexington.

Thanks for the warm welcome.

**FanaticFringer** · 06-25-2008, 19:57

Originally Posted by Kshatriya

These were good reads. How does that Claytor Jungle Hammock compare to the Hennessy Expedtition? I went to some outdoors sports shops and the only complete hammock packages available are Expeditions, and it looked like a fine tent. Is the Claytor similar, just a larger and camouflaged hammock? I am not a large guy, so if the main difference is the size, Claytor may be unnecessary.

I'm assuming all trustworthy hammocks are going to run around the $150 at the minimum. I was hoping they would be cheaper, since I am going to be hitchhiking, and may not even need the shelter.

I need to make a decision on a hammock before Monday, because I'm going on a trip, and won't be able to order one while I'm gone. When I come back, I'm am only going to be around for a couple of days before starting my cross-country trip.

I'm from southeastern Kentucky, about an hour and a half down the interstate from Lexington.

Thanks for the warm welcome.

The Hennessy Expedition is the hammock I started with. It is a fine hammock.
You might try e-mailing Hennessy and asking for their demo list. I'm assuming they still have this going on. Some nice deals can be had that way. You might ask to upgrade the stock tarp to the bigger hex tarp. They might do this for free.
www.hennessyhammock.com

**headchange4u** · 06-25-2008, 20:13

Originally Posted by Kshatriya

I'm from southeastern Kentucky, about an hour and a half down the interstate from Lexington.

Thanks for the warm welcome.

My wife is from Manchester (Clay County). Good to have another Ky hanger. I hope we can get together some time. We have had a couple of hang outs in the Red River Gorge area with another one this fall.