norts wrote:Interesting concept, I have read about Hennessey hammocks. I have a couple of questions if you wouldn't mind answering them. I havent seen one in the flesh
How does the hammock stand up to wind?
It's very stable, I've experienced a very gentle sway in strong winds but that just helps me get to sleep. I normally stake the fly down with a couple of long sticks or tie rocks to the fly lines and they are fine.
It is also very stable and easy to move around inside, you can sleep on your side, sit up and get in your sleeping bag without issue. A sleeping mat really helps as well as it stops the hammock wrapping around you.
How do you cook if the weather is foul?
Just set up the fly and sit down on a poncho or your pack and cook away with plenty of room. After din dins is finished set the hammock up. There is enough coverage from the fly to cook even with the hammock set up.
How warm are they?
A
lot warmer than any tent I've slept in and they breathe so well. The important thing is having a good sleeping mat. The coldest weather I've slept in was around zero degrees at Wollemi National Park in July last year. I used a thermarest 4 season sleeping mat with a macpac escapade sleeping bag. I wore a fleece jumper to bed along with my thermals. I just got a cold face if I peeped out of my sleeping bag otherwise I was very comfortable.
You can put the fly closer to the hammock to maintain a bit more heat, throw a thin fleece blanket or poncho liner over the mosquito netting as well. I've never needed to do this so far.
The one time I have been cold was when I didn't take a sleeping mat with me one Autumn weekend. Even with a sleeping bag and four layers on my torso I got a cold back. Those cheap foam mats you get at camping stores are good enough to keep you warm most of the year.
The way the hammock is set up above is for good weather, you can stare at the stars as you go to bed but if it rains during the night you can quickly hop out and peg the fly over your hammock quick smart.
I won't go on but three of my regular camping mates have since moved to the Jungle Hammock and two others will be doing so soon when they can justify the money. They are a great way to bribe people to come camping who normally fear cold nights and uncomfortable sleep. They weigh 1.6kg all up and are big enough for big people, I'm 6'5" tall and have no problems with being bent out of shape.
I picked mine up for US$130 from here:
http://www.mosquitohammock.com/The guy who sells them is very helpful and charges a fair price, I got a replacement fly for the one I lost in Cairns for $40 which I was happy about.
- From a couple of weeks ago at Dharug National Park.
*As I read back through my post I sound like a salesman but I really do rate hammocks very highly over sleeping on the ground in a tent. My mate got himself a girlfriend and is back sleeping in a tent along with the following mornings complaints about being cold and waking up all night.
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