Good beginners hammock?

[lvleph]

I think HH are more like windows since they have all this extra stuff built into them just to make you feel at ease. Speer would be more like a Mac. And a DIY HH would be like running Wine on your Linux box. Sorry, I am a big time nerd.

[Jazilla]

I don't think I have seen one good post or constructive thing come from Ewker. If you feel that no one is giving good advise then seek it else where. Its part of the whole freedom thing we share as a nation.

[Rhino-lfl]

I just scanned this thread and did it get off track Why is it that the only hammock mentioned is the Hennessy? Is everyone saying there isn't a better beginner hammock than a Hennessy There has got to be other good hammocks for beginners.

My first hammock is a Clarks North American. A little on the expenjsive side, but I don't have to screw around with little this or little that stuff. Just worked down to 30 degrees out of the box (no quilts, under quilts, nests, wraps, blow torches, pads, under pads, under over pad quilt fire bombs, etc) with my sleeping bag and some ziplock bags inflated and stuffed in the under pockets.

[FanaticFringer]

I don't think I have seen one good post or constructive thing come from Ewker. If you feel that no one is giving good advise then seek it else where. Its part of the whole freedom thing we share as a nation.

I think alot of us here feel this way but where kinda bitting our tongues.

[btourer]

Personnally, I feel that for any hammock to be like Windows the rope would have to snap first!

[Ewker]

I think alot of us here feel this way but where kinda bitting our tongues.

you don't like what I have to say or question put me on ignore.

[Ewker]

I don't think I have seen one good post or constructive thing come from Ewker. If you feel that no one is giving good advise then seek it else where. Its part of the whole freedom thing we share as a nation.

I have asked questions on basic stuff. I don't get into the DIY which this site has more of. Like I told the other guy put me on ignore if you don't like what I ask or say

[funbun]

I don't think I have seen one good post or constructive thing come from Ewker. If you feel that no one is giving good advise then seek it else where. Its part of the whole freedom thing we share as a nation.

Troll Warz, lol.

Anyway, here's something constructive: there is no beginner's hammock. Just buy one and learn how to use it. As with any new piece of equipment it take time to learn ho to use it.

On Speer's forum someone asked what are Your Top 5 Bits of Hammocking Wisdom. That is really what the original poster needs. Not what's a good beginner hammock. He needs the basics of hammock camping. See Just Jeff's website. In many ways it's more informative than Ed Speer's book.

Here are my five as quoted form Speer's yahoo fourm:

1. Use a removable structural ridgleline. Although Hennessy has a
patent, there is no reason you can't add one to any hammock
(commercial or homemade). Structural ridigelines control sag. You'll
get the same sag every time. Plus ridgelines are very practical or
hanging stuff sacks, bugnets. Making it removable lets you sit in the
hammock as a camp chair, but it won't be in the way as with a stock
Hennessy Hammock. Again you can add a removal structural ridgline to
any hammock commercial or homemade.

2. Learn to pitch your hammock in the dark. This is key if you're
doing any stealth camping.

3. Stay warm. Hammocks can get cold very quickly. Even at 70-75 deg F
can feel cold on a windy day. I prefer under/overquilts.

4. Learn four or five knots so that you can adapt to any situation.
Different campsites sometimes require different knots. The Speer 4
wrap knot doesn't always work around big rocks and such. I recommend
learning a Bowline, Anchor Hitch, Larskhead, and Double Overhand knots
in addition to the knots Speer recommends in his book.

5. If pitching while raining, pitch the tarp first then the hammock.
Once you get the tarp up, you'll have a nice dry area from which to work.

[Bird Dog]

Good points funbun. I would whole-heartedly agree. BD