clark nx250 perfected

**sinthome** · 03-31-2012, 01:41

obviously everyone has their own way of doing things, but here are two things i am stoked on that you might find worthwhile--

1) i read an old post with little fanfare from DemostiX that suggested a possible replacement for the fiberglass poles with the wire fishing kit from harbor freight: http://www.harborfreight.com/3-16-in...kit-65326.html well, i ended up getting it and, after a quick bit of trimming, this works waaay better than the chinsy poles that came with the clark. instead of each pole being composed of three short rods that seem to always fall out or catch on the hammock sleeves while installing them, i have TWO longer rods with ONE low profile connection point that THREADS into place and slides very easily. booyah.

2) i also was inspired by another hammock forum member by the name of jackleberry, who made a giant-sized black bishop bag that fits his whole entire kit in it, so your camp pops out like a prefab miracle unicorn of happy sleepytime. well, i didn't think it would be possible, since i use a large 0deg bag, z-liner insulation panels and the clark is already more material than most hammocks. i currently take the time to stuff the bag and the hammock into their individual 15l sea to summit event compression sacks. the more i think about it the more i hate the tedium of stuffing compression sacks and it can also be hard on your gear if you make it a tight fit. together, i can barely cram the two into the sleeping bag compartment of my osprey backpack. but this is what i have been doing. until now! check this shiz: http://www.backcountryedge.com/exped...tributeID=3259
the medium size fits my whole kit and shrinks down to the exact dimensions of the sleeping bag compartment of my pack (it is more malleable than a tight packed compression sack, so you just shape it a bit by smacking it around to fit whatever space you need).

i don't claim these two tips will work for everyone, but it has effectively reduced my setup time to 30 secs and my packup time to well under 5 mins.

**rip waverly** · 03-31-2012, 02:02

i've been blessed by a 'donor' - having on loan (2) of his clark hammocks. having tried all but a clark over the past 2 years, the experience is the most unique. a 250 , and UL... both offering +/-.... i'll say the nx250 is the caddy of hmmks. (((aside from that new exped offering that hangs on the diagonal.

those yellow rods are great!
and thanks for sharing your tips and fixes - enjoy the forums!

-future 'possible' clark OWNER

**nateseviltwin** · 03-31-2012, 10:30

Forgot all about the wire fishing kit. Thanks for resurrecting an idea I always wanted to try.

**Karl B. Andersen** · 03-31-2012, 13:03

The only size bags I see listed are 20L and 40L. So, could I guess that the 20L is the way to go? (thanks for the idea)

**sinthome** · 03-31-2012, 13:08

40L Terracotta is the one I have. Here it is on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Exped-2016-Shb.../dp/B0047C8EC8 The smaller yellow one would probably work for a summer setup.

**DemostiX** · 03-31-2012, 19:29

Sinthome:

On the rods: Great example of strokes for folks, HYOH, etc.

I needed to go short for a bicycle and that meant more (non-telescoping) rods; You wanted fewer, and long was no problem.

Whatever, those kits from Harbor Freight have every reason to be out of stock , since just one kit for $7 (if there's a Harbor Freight near you) gives the tarp flyer ten fiberglass rods and connectors, enough material to spring out the sides of three to five tarps if they want to try that bowed-side modification.