Hello to everyone on Hammock Forums!
What a fantastic thing this is.
I've spent a little time on many forum sites and I have to say the atmosphere on this one is something special.
There must be something about the sort of soul that likes to hang from a tree that lends itself to entertaining, good humoured, helpful, resourceful bonhomie.
I'm an Irish fellow living and working in Cairns, Tropical Far North Queensland, Australia with an organization called the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
I'm kind of new to hanging having elevated myself from the dirt. I've been using hammocks everywhere since a trip to Mexico back in 98 when I spent a few weeks in my sisal string hammock. I've been carrying parachute silkies for years but I've recently worn out my tent and I've decided not to renew it. I plan to use my hammock and customize my gear to allow ultralightweight under Tarp on-ground sleeping too.
I know there are a few aussies and kiwis on the forum and I'm keen to say hello to anyone and everyone and learn from you guys. I'd love to get into DIY sometime but for now my job, my beautiful nutty children and my many other interests all adds up to not enough time. ( Yet! )
I bring my hammocks into many aspects of my life. I work in remote Aboriginal communities and I have to fly in there carrying a lot of special light weight medical kit. So what extra weight I carry has to be small and efficient. I regularly have to stay in these communities and I am now using my HH Backpacker Asym rather than a bed.
I'm doing a few solo desert hangs out around the Border of Queensland and the Northern Territory. I'll do a few on boats on the great barrier reef when I'm diving. I'll do a few when I'm up on Cape York working (very hot.)
I'm planning a long slow through hike with my father next Antipodean summer in New Zealand, over the Leslie-Karamea track.
I've never been down there so im really looking forward to that. I will be stopping wherever and whenever the Salty Dog wants to stop. He is a ground camper so that's going to be a test of my dual purpose set up.
If anyone can tell me how to find out how hammock friendly that walk is I would be very grateful. I know that the very popular walks can often be heavily "policed" by rangers and enthusiasts in the fragile environment of Tasmania. (You have got to try to get to Tasmania folks, it's truly amazing.) Is it the same on the South Island of New Zealand?
I've learned a lot from the forum already and I would like to start with a BIG THANK YOU to Jeff whose "tothewoods" website helped me a lot and directed me here, to Sergeant Rock whose light weight stuff has been really interesting and Shug Emery who had me laugh out loud and lighten up while I get just a little bit too obsessive about hammock equipment.
There's a long list of writers on here that are due a thank you so Ill just send one out to everyone.
The Pooka
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