A few questions from your new Canadian.

[JesterJosev]

Hi all this is one of my first posts, so I appreciate your patience while I learn to squawk like the other geese (Isn’t there a song that goes like this?). Get it - because geese are in the air like hammockers! What do you mean No? What do you mean strike one for the newbie?

Typically I would go through the usual processes, and start searching for relevant key words in attempt to filter through the immense repository of information we know as Hammock Forums, but I believe my situation to be atypical. I’m a taller guy at about 6’2, I tend to be a practical minded outdoorsman who pays attention to weight, and I live near Vancouver which is known for its maliciously relentless rain showers; but as my father said something in the vein of “the ducks like it” sort of like geese I suppose. What do you mean the geese metaphor is getting old? What do you mean strike two for the newbie?

What I gather from various sources is that hammock systems are often modular. If this is the case would experienced hammock campers such as many of you suggest that I shop for individual parts as I develop my sleep system? Or buy a hammock kit right off the bat such as a Hennessy and buy the specialized parts as I see specific needs develop. I’m pretty pleased with my over quilt which I use for tent camping mostly, but eventually I’ll need a tarp, and a goose down under quilt. Goose, maybe the geese thing is because I’m a Canuck Geese. What do you mean I have to leave the forum? What do you mean sorry isn’t good enough?
Thanks for your warm welcome. I look forwards to learning and getting to know the folks of Hammock Forums.
Greeting from Canada
Honk.

P.s. What is the plural usage for hammock users? Hangers? Hangies? All Strung Out? Saggers? Hammocompanions? Hammockers...Bacon is no laughing matter?

[Sailor]

We might be Hangers.

I have an affection for our Canuckian brothers, no offense intended, and yes, hammockng is modular, piece and parcel. As a general rule, the farther north you go, the greater the inches of down you need betwixt and between. That's the pleasure, sure as a sun dog, finding what's warm and wise...

[JesterJosev]

Thank you for the reply Sailer.

No offence taken, as I find Canuck to be a term of endearment as oposed to a Canadian whos enduring it . I often find it an honor to have the US as our neighbor.

Thank you for the information regarding the modular hammock system development. I like the idea of developing a specialised system, that works for me. With respect to down insulation, I wonder if its the best choise for the significant humidity that we receive on the West coast?

All the best.
-Jo

[Mikeinajeep]

Kits are a little cheaper over all but you end up upgrading everything anyway. MEC on broadway and Yukon as bug nets and tarps, plus three vets is right around the corner. As for hammocks, I have not found anywhere local that as a good selection. I would get something from the vender on here. I have a BIAS camper xl double layer that is amazingly comfortable for every night at home and a eno dn for camping( because all my pea pod gear fits the eno and I'm not buying new stuff). Steveston marine as amsteele for whoopies. Other than that its all about what you like. Good luck!

[sargevining]

In my opinion, the best system for you with the high rains, and resulting mosquitoes, would be a Hennessy Deep Jungle with a Hennesy Hex tarp. The Deep Jungle is that it is a double layer that allows the use of a sleeping pad for insulation, or you can use the reflectix pad that comes with it (or both). After the tarp, your most essential piece of gear is under insulation, and with the Deep Jungle you get some that will be adequate for your needs until autumn. The Hennesy hex tarp is probably the best "full coverage" tarp for the money out there. You can request them to add doors for the ends and it will be even better. In the summer, the rains down here in the Houston area can aproach those of the BC area in intensity, and the only time I had any problem with the Hex (and it was a small one), was when wind was blowing rain into the end of the tarp.

With the system described above, you will be 100% ready to go in the weather conditions you are likely to encounter until it starts getting below 40* at night, which I think justifies the cost. As mentioned above, you'll likely eventually replace eveything in it, but most hammockers do that with any "first system" they buy. I started with a tarp and hammock I bought off of Ebay for $30. I now own 10 hammocks of various sizes and descriptions, 5 tarps, 3 top quilts, 6 sleeping bags, 1 bug net (I have to do something about that), and 4 underquilts. None of those were a replacement for any item that was working poorly (except for the $30 hammock and tarp---they really sucked), each has its place in my "modular hammock arsenal" that allows me to choose the components of the system to tailor it to weather and trip conditions.

[dragon360]

I would certainly go with a piece meal solution. In that you can get more pieces designed to your specific needs. The sales forum can be your very good friend having deals that are new or near new of lots of gear at decent rates.

[JesterJosev]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to respond.

Mikeinajeep: I was encouraged to find out your a local hanger, and I appreciate your suggestions for acquiring the gear for my first set up. I was wondering if you have any advice regarding our local geographical area? For instance webbing length or whatever.

Sargevinning: You gave me some good pointers, that I figure helped me thinking in terms of isolating the parts of a hammock. I spent a while looking at Hennessy gear last night \and I like the idea of the doors on the tarp as you suggested. A kit might be a good starting point, but I have the feeling that I might geek out and have allot of fun doing the research on the individual aspects of my hammock system.

Dragon360: I should head on over to the sales forum and see whats cooking. Right now I may be overwhelmed with all the available options, but I'm sure I'll learn more.

Thanks again all.

[Mikeinajeep]

Don't hang from the really big trees!! It makes a cool pic but the stretch in 10 meters of webbing is crazy and super hard to adjust. Always remember that you can only count on it raining so take more and warmer gear than you need. Don't mess with the bears. Other than that you golden, parks and rec areas don't seem to mind hammocks and people (RCMP) seem cool with the anywhere hang.

[MAD777]

Welcome to the forums!
You stated that you already have a top quilt. It should serve you well inside the hammock, too. If it is down and has not been a problem in the past, I see no reason to not to use a down underquilt.

There is a new type of down that's treated to resist moisture. You may want to consider this option for your climate. Here is a good source for that - select "DWR Treated" in the opions menu. http://www.undergroundquilts.com/UQ.htm
Paul & Missy (Under Ground Quilts) are producing very these nice quilts in Michigan.

Tarp sizes vary widely. People that tend to hang in sunny, dry areas use very small tarps and those that see a lot of big storms blowing sideways use big tarps with end doors. I don't know if you have blowing rain, but even so, you will probably be spending a lot of time hunkered down under the tarp while in camp. A big tarp will make that more bearable.

I can't comment on the geese. I'm in Florida and we have pink flamingos!