Hanging in the rain

**Oms** · 03-09-2009, 17:10

Went out on Sunday to learn how to set-up in the rain. It was also my first time out with a new BB by Warbonnet

. I used a OES MacCat Deluxe which I set up first and then proceeded from there. The black bishop bag that came with the BB worked very nicely setting up and taking down. Around Chicago here we have been having some major storms leading to flooding. My wife, of course, thought I was nuts. Well it really started to pore after I finished setting up so I just laid back and read a book. Now things were going quite well. I was staying pretty dry with an occasional spray of mist, then the thunder came. Now the air smelled a little bit like ozone and I was starting to become concerned. When a small break in the thunder came I packed it up and headed out as fast as I could. The ground which is still partially frozen was completely saturated to the point when you took a step it was over your shoes. That's when I knew the only way that you could stay dry aside from sleeping on bare rock was to be in a hammock. The road leading out from which I came was closed due to flooding. So I headed out the other direction ending up at an intersection where a cop closed the road. He sort of gave me a puzzled look, probably wondering where I came from. I was driving a older Honda Civic which has about a 5" ground clearance. Overall it was a good learning experience and I really love my new BB.

**Narwhalin** · 03-09-2009, 17:14

Sometimes it is better to be safe than sorry!

Nice report!

**Cannibal** · 03-09-2009, 17:19

Heck, a good storm will make me stay in my hammock under a tarp. No sense going and getting my feet all wet.

Where was the occasional mist coming from? Did you have the tarp set fairly open for a view? Or was it coming in the ends? Was it windy? Oh, I've got questions; that tarp on that hammock should have kept you bone dry. I'd prefer to not repeat your experience so let me learn from yours.

The BB does rock though, huh.

**Oms** · 03-09-2009, 20:49

It was pouring so hard that the mist was blowing around at times. I have also experienced silnylon mist when hit by big drops. It wasn't bad enough that if the netting was closed I probably wouldn't have felt it. Not sure if the underquilt would have stayed completely dry if I had stayed out all night.

**intheswim** · 03-09-2009, 22:30

Interesting, I bet if you hung the tarp and hammock lower to the ground and brought the sides in closer you would of had better results.

**Oms** · 03-10-2009, 06:40

I did have the sides out enough to see around me. I'm sure pitching them lower would have helped. I also think that if a tarp is hung close to the hammock and the sides and ends closed off, condensation occurs. When hard rain hits it misting occurs. I've also experienced that in my single wall silnylon tent.

**animalcontrol** · 03-10-2009, 06:51

Originally Posted by Oms

My wife, of course, thought I was nuts.

Get used to this...
Wait till winter comes and you start getting mad because the temp didn't get low enough to make it worth you while to hang outside!
Your wife, your kids, and your neighbors will ALL think you have lost your mind.
Great, aint it!

**canoebie** · 03-10-2009, 07:33

I am about 2 hours east and north of Chicago and I can relate to what you are saying. The rain has been unreal. We have had nearly 6 inches since Friday. I see water standing in places I have never seen it stand.

My wife and I decided if we were out and it was like this, we would spend all our time in our hammocks. The only place to be warm and dry. Read lots of books and lots of naps. I am ready for a break of dry, warm or cold.

**intheswim** · 03-10-2009, 08:08

Originally Posted by Oms

I did have the sides out enough to see around me. I'm sure pitching them lower would have helped. I also think that if a tarp is hung close to the hammock and the sides and ends closed off, condensation occurs. When hard rain hits it misting occurs. I've also experienced that in my single wall silnylon tent.

If you ever get another tarp, you should also consider getting it in Spinntex material. That should solve misting problems from hard rain.

Condensation is just a matter of venting i think? A larger tarp might allow for enough venting while still being closed off enough to stop sneaky rain.

**froldt** · 03-10-2009, 09:27

I haven't done good rain testing with my setup yet (wouldn't trust my home-made cheap-o tarp, so that's a good thing) but good to hear your test went well! Maybe it's a good thing you left when you did, because of the car, not the hammock!

I've found that the trick is to get your wife interested in the hammocks, so she goes testing with you! We've both tested our gear in the cold.