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  1. #1
    Member hecta_g's Avatar
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    Going to Ellicot Rock with my son's troop

    Well, my son will be going on his first backpacking trip as a Boy Scout. So as a proud dad and virgin hanger I will be hanging on this trip as well. From what I am able to get, everyone will be in a tent so this would be a great opportunity to see if I pass the test as a hanger or not.

    Currently I have one of the old school military hammocks made from netting, but will soon replace with my homegrown version. Since I don't have bug netting and a tarp I will be making both prior to our trip.

    I hope to take plenty of pics so we'll see in a couple of weeks.
    Psalm 46:10

  2. #2
    Senior Member
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    Just want to say don't get discouraged if you have a bad experience with the net hammock. Long term hanging and weight can cause some serious discomfort in those things. I'm not saying you will have a bad experience, but if you do try to evaluate what the cause of the "BAD" part is before you completely write off hammock camping.

    I guess what I'm not stating very eloquently is: Try a non-net hammock before you completely write of hammock camping. There is a world of difference between having hundreds of little holes under you slowly cutting you up like a shrink wrapped country ham in a net, and a solid sheet of fabric.

    As to a tarp you can always buy a cheap one from wally-world and hang it in diamond formation to keep the rain off. I'm a firm believer in trying things out before taking the financial plunge.

    Take for instance underquilts. I don't want to spend the coin-age on the materials if I'm going to DIY, or on a vendors product until I'm sure I'll sleep comfortably with one. So to try out if an underquilt is going to be the way to go I took one of my two 30% sleeping bags and used some rope to tie it up like an underquilt. My first attempt was not 100% successful in my opinion, because the head end of the bag slipped out of the suspension I rigged up and left a big opening for air to move in. I still slept comfortably until around 6:00 am when I noticed my shoulder area, and lower back area had cold spots. Oh well I needed to answer the call of nature at that point anyway so up I go.

    Currently I want to try this out again . . . so for my second attempt, which will be this week (April 4-6), I have purchased some of those tarp clips to convert my sleeping bag into an underquilt. I hope this way it won't fall open like it did last time. And based on my experience with my previous attempt, and the results of this upcoming trip I might be taking that financial plunge for a DIY underquilt.

    Here's to having fun in the piney-woods swinging in your sleep.

  3. #3
    Senior Member FireInMyBones's Avatar
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    May 2011
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    When is the trip? There is a group of HF members heading that way this weekend. I was going to go, but I have to help out with a wedding. Maybe you could hook up with them and take a look at some of their set ups to get some hands-on experience.

    You can upgrade the comfort of your military hammock with a nice cheap foam pad from Walmart. It should keep you amply warm and be something easy to get your hands on.

    If you want to try a DIY hammock, you can borrow one of my kits. I'm not sure your height/weight, but my gear is suited best for someone under 175# and around 5'7". PM me if interested.
    -Jeremy "Brother Bones"
    Quote Originally Posted by FLRider View Post
    ...he's a mountain goat crossed with a marathoner.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Terry_Dodson's Avatar
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    Jul 2009
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    Irmo, SC
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    I saw a cloth Travel Hammock at Walmart for $15 on sale the other day. Here is the link of the one i saw:
    http://www.walmart.com/ip/Equip-Trav...-Blue/23889034


  5. #5
    Member hecta_g's Avatar
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    Smile

    Great advice guys! Scoffman, I definitely know that hanging is the way to go and believe me I'm not easily discouraged. Funny thing is that I'm a project freak and I love to build and design things so before I jump on a new project the Mrs has told me that I can't start a new project until taxes are done..

    So, for right now I'll hang like in my zero degree bag with some plastic as my fly. The only thing is that I need to get some NoSeeUm so I can try and whip up a bug net before next weekend.

    Fire, the trip is the 13th and if I see anyone is a hammock I will definitely approach them and say Hi!

    Thanks Terry, that looks like an awesome option and may actually get a couple for my boys since they seem to be drawn to my hammock whenever I set it up.
    Psalm 46:10

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