Ode to Tom Hennessy

[FireInMyBones]

My first true camping hammock was an ULB by HH. I slept in it many a night before the DIY bug bit and I was forever changed. I have shook Tom's hand and thanked him for turning me into a hanger. I would also love to thank Risk, Sgt. Rock, Ed Spear, and Just Jeff for their very helpful sites before I found HF.

It just goes to show what one can do if they find something that (s)he is passionate about.

[Dead Man]

I've got a full boat of Hennessies. It was my first and has continued to be my primary. I have a couple DIY hammocks that I love and even one I call the stealth fighter I bought from a fellow forum member that is really sweet. I just keep coming back to my Explorer with the Mod 4.

Yes I have tweaked it and made it my own but, as they say, you never forget your first love. I watched Tom's videos for months and looked at what seemed like hundreds of other hammocks and read a ton on HF before buying what I did. His innovation, vision and salesmanship were what hooked me. I haven't regretted one moment of it and I've never looked back. I'll never go back to ground until they put me six feet under it.

Elevated perspective indeed. I may one day sleep exclusively in another brand but I'll always remember and think fondly of that bearded fellow showing so eloquently the ease and function of hammocks in general and the beauty of his design specifically.

We all stand on the shoulders of giants. Tom Hennessy is but one of many. Thanks Dutch for the thread. Well intended and graciously posted to.

[mbiraman]

+1 on what Dutch said. Tom was thinking out of the box and was one of the early innovators.

[I-Hang]

Interesting write-up Dutch. I have to admit that I was just about ready to order a HH when I found this site. After a few more weeks researching I did change my mind and bought a WBBB but I have always been intrigued with HH. Who knows one may make its way into my gear closet one of these days. Thanks for the history lesson.

[NewtonGT]

My first hammock was a Hennessy expedition asym, and I loved it but I just got too tall to use it so I had to get a longer hammock. I really enjoyed that Hennessey and I plan on buying a deep safari some time soon. I appreciate Tom for helping me get started!

[GrizzlyAdams]

I got here by way of JRB and HH, in that order. In 2006 was gearing up for a Philmont trek with 2 sons, looking to cut weight using quilts rather than sleeping bags. Stumbled onto the JRB site, where I saw pictures of these things between trees that looked like they belonged on a Star Wars planet. Bought quilts. 1 year later, planning for a backpacking adventure with same sons in the White Mountains remembered the pictures, realized that those hammocks would open up way more camping opportunities on the trail. Bought 3 HH Explorers and now only camp on the ground when I have to.

Thanks Dutch for reminding the community about some of its roots.

[MAD777]

As a community we do owe Tom our thanks for what seemed like a big risk back then. Thankfully he took that risk pushing hammocks toward the mainstream which ultimately fueled a hammock industry.

Years ago when I was a ground dweller, someone on BPL mentioned hammocks and my Google search led me directly to Hennessey. That was my first look at a camping hammock.

[richtorfla]

Thanks Dutch! It Tom who pushed me to look at hammocks in 2007. He had this octagonal thing set up at the 07 world scout jamboree. He had the scouts I was with jump in the hammocks. They sure did look comfy. I declined to try one out at the time. He said here take this CD home. Check it out, if you like what you see, I am offering a discount to the scouts who are at the world jambo.

I got back home from England, threw the CD in the computer, got excited at what I saw. Talked to the wife and placed an order for a explorer and deluxe. They also came with free hex tarps as well as the aysm tarps. Not a bad deal. Found out how great they were to use camping in Fla. Other scouters took note, and asked a lot of questions. They too followed me.

Thanks Tom for changing the way I sleep in the woods.

And thanks for taking the time to experiment many hours hacking up a GI surplus jungle hammock to make it your own design!

[Hawk-eye]

First real venture into hammock camping was with several of his first generation Hammocks ... heck they weren't even asym! Good old HH, foam pad and sleeping bag. This was our first night using them in Linville Gorge at the east end of Cambric Trail back in November 2001.

First time using hammocks was back in the mid seventies with a Vietnam surplus jungle hammock HEAVY and not that comfortable! So hats off to the man from Canada and his innovations!

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[Surfdog]

Agreed, we all owe a big thanks to Tom for making us hammock addicts.

A HH Exped was my first hammock and I still used it occasionally. It's a well made hammock and it sure beats sleeping on the ground.