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  1. #1
    New Member makpac's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Dallas, TX
    Hammock
    ENO Doublenest
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    9

    First outing could have gone better...

    New to hammockforums, first time posting. I received an ENO doublenest for my birthday last month and have been reading all the great tips available here. I figured I needed to get out on the hammock for a night to start my own experiences. I set up my hammock in the backyard, checked the weather to be certain there was no rain in the forecast (no tarp), and grabbed my sleeping bag and pillow for my outing.

    I’m sure we all have funny stories about a new venture, but my girlfriend, roommate, work associates, and clients didn’t appreciate my first night out. So I thought I would share with folks here since I’ll be learning from your experiences as I move from my tent to my hammock.

    I must have missed the part about how difficult it is to get into a sleeping bag while in a hammock. The slippery material, a moving hammock, and a zipper that didn’t want to slide easily – well lets just say it took everything I had not to flip out and I think I pulled a couple muscles. Oh well, I was finally in my zipped up sleeping bag and ready for a good night sleep. That good night sleep lasted 3 hours, then the winds started to gust and the temperature dropped. Wow, I don’t remember coming out of a sound sleep so fast. My backside was freezing, the sides of my hammock were flapping, and this 240 lb person was swinging in the wind. Thirty minutes later I decided it was time to head indoors. Then panic struck – how am I going to get out of this sleeping bag…

    Even though my first night was cut short, I’m excited about getting out again and learning the art of hammock camping. I have a new appreciation for tarps, socks, quilts (under and top), hammock setup, sleeping positions, etc…

    I know you all have had some fun experiences camping in a hammock and I look forward to reading more of those as I continue my research.
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  2. #2
    Senior Member NCPatrick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Hammock
    WB Traveler
    Tarp
    Custom OES tarp
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    Whoopie slings
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    8,797
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    40
    Welcome to HF! It gets better. I think my first night was much like your first, except I was in a Hennessy and suddenly wanted to get OUT! Since I moved to a "top-loader" I don't have those issues. I love your picture, looks like you're trying unsuccessfully to escape.

  3. #3
    Senior Member HappyCamper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    WV
    Hammock
    WB Blackbird 1.1 dbl
    Tarp
    JRB11x10 Z-P cuben
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    Yeti JRB WestMtg
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    webbing, Dutchclip
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    3,527
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    88
    Keep at it! It does get better. My first night I had a freezing back side too! You learn. It's all part of the fun. Thank goodness I did a lot of yard testing before going out on trail.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Rushthezeppelin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Cedar Park, TX
    Hammock
    WBBB Dbl 1.0
    Tarp
    Nothing atm....
    Insulation
    Costco down throws
    Suspension
    WBBB Line/Strap
    Posts
    638
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    1
    No bottom insulation for the loss : (

  5. #5
    Administrator attroll's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Denmark, Maine
    Hammock
    Warbonnet Ridge Runner
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    MacCat Ultra Spinn
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    Warbonnet Lynx
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    3,293
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    45
    There are a lot of us that have stories to tell like this. Last weekend I put eye hooks in my garage to hang my hammock.

    I got the hammock all set up and climbed in and laid down. As soon as I laid down the eye hook let go. It bent outward and the caribiner I had attached to the eye hook came flying at me like a missile and nailed me in the thumb knuckle. My knuckle turn black and blue.

    Needless to say I put some heavy duty eye hooks in there place and have not had a problem since.

  6. #6
    Gordzilla's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Vancouver Island
    Hammock
    Warbonnet Blackbird
    Tarp
    Superfly.
    Insulation
    Yeti / Burrow
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    Straps and rings
    Posts
    171
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    27
    Other than struggling with your SB and getting cold, how comfortable did you find the hammock?
    I also had a heck of a time getting zipped up on my first night out, then when I started to get the cold delt with I just use it like a blanket.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Ramblinrev's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Milton, PA
    Hammock
    Hennessey Explorer Ultralight
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    Hennessey Hex
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    ring buckle
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    7,945
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    Welcome to the story club. I have actually almost goettne trapped in a top loader. But that's another thread. there is a learning curve. Just so you know you are not alone.
    I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.

    "Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
    Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn

    We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series

    Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies

    Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint

  8. #8
    MacEntyre's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Trouble Ranch on Troublesome Creek, NC
    Hammock
    Molly Mac Gear
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    My first night was in an Army surplus hammock without insulation. Got down to about 50 degF, and I had to tuck my bag liner and quilt under me to keep warm. Since I installed spreader bars, which the hammock was not designed to use, a seam started to let go right under my head. I had to lay real still all night to keep it from falling apart.

    I still have that hammock. The seam is all stitched up, spreader bars are gone, and it works well... with a pad!
    - MacEntyre
    "We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." - Ben Franklin
    www.MollyMacGear.com

  9. #9
    Senior Member Doctari's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Cincinnati, Oh
    Hammock
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    Ah yes, that brings back memories; Pulled muscles getting into a sleeping bag. Or what we call "Fun!"

    Stick with it, it will get better.
    Some of us even sleep in them full time, but only the crazy ones!

    I have slept in a bed 3 times this year so far. I hated every second of it.
    When you have a backpack on, no matter where you are, you’re home.
    PAIN is INEVITABLE. MISERY is OPTIONAL.

  10. #10
    Peter_pan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    virginia
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    JRB BMBH
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    JRB 11x10 Cat Tarp
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    Welcome to the hanging gang.... Been there, done that.... learned my lessons.... Search out the warm bottom options on the forum and you'll be ready next trip.

    Pan
    Ounces to Grams.

    www.jacksrbetter.com ... Largest supplier of camping quilts and under quilts...Home of the Original Nest Under Quilt, and Bear Mountain Bridge Hammock. 800 595 0413

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