Thinking Outside the Gear Box

[Rabid Deer]

I was *this* close to buying my dream hammock from Papa Smurf. Randy was more helpful than you could imagine and I plan to buy a hammock from him in the future, but not yet. For those who are curious, here's what it was:

1. All of the awesome cuben fiber and Dutchware of the Darien UL
2. Whoopie hooks! What a great suspension design.
3. The design of the Roaming Gnome with double zippers and cuben fiber peak bag.
4. Additional zipper pulls so I could have the zipper wherever I wanted it.
5. Double layer 1.0 oz fabric to keep the bugs from biting me.

It would have cost a little over $250 and would have been well worth it.

Just so you know, I'm that guy. I'm the one who wants the best gear and has a want list a mile long. Between hammocks, camping gear, bikes, and guns, I have a very long list.

Anyway, my setup last Summer was a WBBB 1.1 DL, Superfly tarp, 0* Incubator UQ, and 20* Burrow TQ. I got a Traveler 1.7 SL for Christmas and I sold my WBBB. I want to lighten up my load and have a kit that is easier to put up. The 0* UQ was way over the top and was often too warm. I don't think I ever really needed the doors on the Superfly either. So, here's my plan:

1. Get a Hammock Gear cuben fiber hex tarp (no doors) in place of my Superfly. That will cut over a pound.
2. Get a 40* Phoenix in place of my 0* UQ. That will save over a pound as well.
3. For now, instead of buying a super sweet hammock, I will make do with my Traveler 1.7 SL.
4. Make my own bug net, per Fronkey's instruction on the DIY page (thanks, Fronkey!).
5. Buy some Whoopie Hooks from Dutch. Seriously, that is the best thing to happen to suspension since whoopie slings.

So this was the long way of saying that you should think outside the gear box. Don't get sucked into upgrading only one piece of your kit when you might be able to drop more weight or do more good by changing a couple other things. This won't be my final end-all setup. I'll buy more, I always do. Thanks for your help, fellow hangers. See you in the woods!

PS - I'm becoming a donating member very soon.

[PapaSmurf]

Sounds like a great solution and I hope this setup works well for you.

[Mort]

Way to think outside the gear box, Rabid Deer!

[dragon360]

Some big changes there for a 0 Inc to a 40 pheonix but it does save weight. But a Darien...!?! nice

[stairguy]

Personally, I use my 0 deg. Inc. daily indoors. MacEntyre used it 2 nights this last week. Unless weight is an issue and you do not plan on temps. lower , be pleased w/your purchase. If you want more of a range, go lower. Just my thoughts.

[thatguy]

I'm that guy

Wait a minute....

[fishbait]

Wait a minute....

[Rabid Deer]

Wait a minute....

Bahahahaha! That's great! Life's hard for that guy (and me). Everyone says you don't want to be that guy, but I don't thinks it is too bad.

[Markusforreal]

yeah, my gear list is always unsatisfied... i DO realize that i have more camping gear than the average gnome, but when you have a lot, you tend to want to upgrade/add... and i have to split my time/moneys (I'm not sure that is spelled right... [moneys]... can't be spelled right) between music and camping and dogs and the list doesnt end... wish i was a millionare... oh ya, that doesnt even cut it anymore...

[simply_light]

yeah, my gear list is always unsatisfied...

I'm with you there. I have so much gear, allowing for so many different variations and conditions, that it would take years of constant use before most of my equipment would need to be replaced.

But does that stop me from buying more? No way. There is always more and in my search for the ultimate hang, I feel I have to give every variation a try before dismissing it.