What made you a "hanger"?

**SkraM** · 01-12-2014, 10:36

Met hangers on the AT last year. They slept well, I did not. I don't think I'll go back to ground sleeping.

**sammyshammock** · 01-13-2014, 09:18

About 55 years ago as a teenager I saw an ad for supposed US military "Jungle Hammock" when planning for a family camping trip. Looked adventurous and practical, complete with roof and netting. They were cheap, bought two. They worked well for my brother and me.

That was back in the day when camping required carrying an iron fry pan, an ax, a saw, a sturdy heavy canvas tent and use of an "entrenching tool" to dig drainage ditches around the tent. Also a 2-burner Coleman stove with plenty of gasoline. And you had to wear a wooly plaid shirt and big leather boots with wool pants tucked into long wool socks. But I always cheated and wore my cotton dungarees, untucked.

Decades later bought a cheap fishnet hammock, practical when used in cold clear weather with a sleeping bag that had an integrated full length down insulated air matress, difficult to roll off of (Stephenson Warmlite). Nice to see the improvements today!

**oldpappy** · 01-13-2014, 14:00

Welcome Sammy - thank-you for the memory jolt - I recall those days of tarp tents (hadn't invented tent floors or screen yet), canned food (sardines, beans and ravioli), and you better not have forgotten a can opener:>) No wonder my hair fell out.
But never Spam:>)

**Gorilla-Z** · 01-15-2014, 10:36

I recently got back into camping, its been a few years. A buddy of mine wanted to do a backpacking trip. Backpacking was new, I used to just setting a basecamp. I did a little research and saw some crazy vids by shug. I thought ok, thats interesting....

While on our last trip, my buddy had a hammock setup next to his tent to "try it out".
I liked it, alot! So, within in a week or two of getting back home I ordered my hammock. The tent is somewhere in the house i guess I'll look for it again, one day.

**Ghost17** · 01-15-2014, 20:44

Well I was looking for a new hiking sleep system and I couldn't decide between a one or two person tent. I was searching for hiking forums to see what others recommended and I stumbled upon this site. I learned quite a lot about hammocks from this site since then it's history

**SuccessIsRelative** · 01-16-2014, 11:48

When I was going through NH while section hiking the AT I first saw some Ewoks and became curious about their Ewok ways. Realizing this looked infinitely more comfortable amongst other things, I decided I wanted to try that out for my through hike this year! I am, however, overwhelmed by options and this is a big investment for me, so I want to make a good choice on my first hammock.

**mr hvac** · 01-20-2014, 09:35

tired of being on the ground lol

**Storytellertn** · 01-20-2014, 09:39

For me, hanging is better in wet climate over longer durations of outings. Among many other reasons.

ewiggins89 · 01-20-2014, 10:28

I'm going on my first backpacking trip with my buddies soon, and I had to choose a lightweight shelter to take with me. When I looked at the options available, it was a no-brainer.

**Storytellertn** · 01-20-2014, 10:44

Originally Posted by ewiggins89

I'm going on my first backpacking trip with my buddies soon, and I had to choose a lightweight shelter to take with me. When I looked at the options available, it was a no-brainer.

For a single individual, you can beat the hammock. I went with a tent because I new I would have my children, but my twelve year old has a Hennessy Hammock Cub coming. We are both about to be hangers.