Originally Posted by blackie
The biggest change I would make to the HH is to have a portion of the bugnetting that is velcro-detachable to create a port to the outside that is located where your head is (like on the side). The reason is that I would have preferred to rig my water bottle outside of the hammock and pull only the drinking tube in instead of having the whole bottle hanging from the ridgeline. I personally prefer to keep water totally away from my down and/or sleeping dry camp gear (I used a down sleeping bag, jacket, and underquilt). Even with synthetic gear, I'd prefer this set-up.
Because I LOVE using the carabiners in my suspenion (suspension order is: Tree--tree hugger with ends connected to a load bearing carabiner--HH spectra tied to the carabiner) I'd recommend getting extra long tree huggers, because believe it or not, there were many trees on the AT that were large enough in diameter that the standard tree huggers were too small to completely go around. In that case, I used the tree huggers in the traditional manner minus the carabiners, but the biners speed up the tying up so much, I'd never consider hanging without them if possible.
For cold weather, I don't think it matters what hammock you're using. It's the tarp and the way you pitch it. All I can say over and over again is pitch the tarp corners directly to the ground (no self-tensioning lines). Don't worry if it's not taut or pretty (only time you'd need to worry is if you're in high winds, then I'd recommend finding shelter from the wind which you should do anyway). You absolutely have to stop the airflow under the hammock. So this means, the smaller stock tarps for most people will not be adequate in extremely cold temps, especially if you're a cold sleeper like me. The other thing is filling in any gaps between the bottom of the tarp and the ground with duff (leaves, sticks, twigs, dead rabbits..whatever you can find). Try to hang your hammock so it is perpendicular to the wind (so the wind will be blowing against the tarp, which is blocking it from you.) Just think of sealing yourself up (obviously the head and foot ends are open, but as long as the wind isn't blowing through, it didn't make a big difference. I was comparing my morning temps with Persistent's (Big Agnes Tent user) and there were only a few degrees difference for us, which I actually believe was our thermometers, not our set-ups.
Also, if your tarp ties to the tree seperately from your hammock (I think most do), tie your tarp lines on the tree below the hammock suspension on the tree. The tarp lines will cross the hammock lines, but what this does is lower the tarp height and when you get into your hammock (and the hammock drops lower) it's that much less of an airspace that your body heat has to warm.
In my coldest nights in the Smokies (low teens with wicked wind) I resorted to adding hot water bottles and hand warmers. I'm THE BIGGEST cold weenie on the face of the Earth though, so if I can deal, I'm sure any of you can.
If I think of anything else, I'll add it later. I do want to help anyone that has questions though.
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Just joking! or am I? Wish you were there doncha?! 
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