So, as you can see from the title, this is my 1,000th post. While I am sure there will be more, I thought I would pass down some things I have learned over the last 2 years or so, since first finding Shug's videos.
Like most these days, I found hammock camping through Shug on youtube while researching lightweight camping. I found out that there was a forum dedicated to this style of camping and that most that try it are immediately addicted. So I decided to give it a shot.
I started with DIY gear. First the hammock. I went to hancock, grabbed 4 yards of adventure and off to the nearby tailor shop. (didn't have a sewing machine) Then it was a DIY underquilt, so I followed dejoha's instructions for a no-sew pluq, which later turned into the sew-em-up version along with a p/l topquilt which was used on my second trip as a supplmental stuffing for my uq with a 30degree syn bag topquilt (it was really cold for the gear I had) and a fleece blanket as an overcover (draped over my ridgeline of my hammock for extra warmth). I was cold most of the night but I survived. I believe the low was around 32.
Fast forward 2 years, I now own a BIAS WWM 64" model, my DIY still, and will have and XLC in a couple of days ( I hope).
First lesson to teach:
Anything you have will work to get you off the ground. A cheap a$$ poly tarp, a pad, hammock (regardles of type), and a sleeping bag. These things are necessity for being a hammocker, but brands, types, and accesories do not matter until you know its for you.
Second lesson:
Your first setup is the hardest to get rid of. While I love my BIAS hammock, it would be waaay easier to part with it than my first. I still have my really heavy suspension (6mm tech line from rei) that I can't part with from that first setup. My first tarp, wait for it, was a 12x12 canopy wall that was waterproof, which measured 12'x6'. I repurposed it this spring into a 10x6 cat cut minimalist hex tarp.
Third and final lesson: Once in to this hobby for a while, the temptation to lighten up will haunt your dreams. (while in your hammock fulltime) Like I said, I love everything I have, but I am dying to lighten my load. I bought dutchware and a cf hex with doors over black friday. I look forward to backpacking trips, but living on a small island like Guam, backpacking for more than a whack into the jungle for an overnight is all but a dream. With that being said I have a much lighter load than most due to the fact it never drops below 75 here, anything more than a tq is overkill.
Ok, fourth lesson: ( I lied, sue me)This forum is by far the best, most wholesome place on the internet to find like minded people that I have ever found. I try to post mostly helpful comments, which is why I believe it has taken me such time to reach 1000 posts. I don't think that there is a safer place to be chatting it up with people on the interwebs.
So here is a special thank you to all who have helped me along the way (starting with Shug but not limited to JustJeff, dejoha, Grizzly, papsmurf, fronkey, and any others that have molded me into this group and welcomed me as a part of their own kind. Thank you hammock forums for continuing to be a great place to hang out.
Over and out from Guam, wishing you all a wonderful and happy holiday season. You are all family to me.
Merry christmas to all!
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Originally Posted by tri-pod bob
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