Greetings from Montana

**Bigmuddy** · 05-09-2014, 23:16

First, I'd like it say thank you to all the people that have offered advice and help to get me started. This is an amazing group.
I got interested in hammocks because I feel like I've spent many many hours looking for a flat spot to sleep... in very vertical places like the Middle Fork of the Salmon, and the Scapegoat Wilderness. Usually after dark, in dog hair lodgepole, exhausted after chasing elk all day. I have three mules, two great kids and a wonderful wife.
I am usually hiking or packing while hunting or scouting places to hunt, trap, or fish. I spent many years guiding in Alaska and developed a profound fear of goose down and moisture. Now that I don't spend much time in Alaska I am learning a lot more about goose down and lightweight gear, this site has really helped. I've been refining my gear by sleeping in my hammocks in our hay barn, and my four year old daughter often joins me. I found the Ridgerunner is really great for her because it is so simple and warm. I sleep next to her in a WBBB or XLC. It's been fun, and I look forward to lots more... I feel like hammocks are just a super tool to enjoy the outdoors and I look forward to lots more hanging!

**IRONFISH45** · 05-09-2014, 23:45

Welcome to the group. I am sure you are going to find lots of additional information as you continue reading through the present posts and the archives. I am glad to hear at least one of your children is interested in Hanging. I know that back a couple of generations people in the far North, put their infants and young children in hammocks near the parents bed. Which I think is interesting, because Hanging in cold areas presents challenges, babies being babies, keeping them warm and dry must have been challenging.

I guess most of us leave the north as we age, I seem to be spending less time at home lately.

Don't be shy, share your knowledge with the group. Keep coming back.

**Bigmuddy** · 05-10-2014, 00:06

Little kids are easier because they don't weigh as much and compress insulation, I've put my 40lb daughter on heavy synthetic bag and she's warm as can be. I bet caribou skins would be unbeatably warm beneath you.