Hammocks !

[photohiker]

What do you do when there are no suitable trees?

The Hammock looks great. I must try one oneday, not sure I could actually sleep while bent in a U-Shape. What if you're a side-sleeper? It always _looks_ like people in hammocks have their feet higher than their head...

Quite a few places I've hiked don't have anything useful in terms of trees. Coastal areas and arid inland regions. In Scotland, the locals didn't seem to like forest at all, so the no suitable tree question is interesting. Be ok in most campgrounds, but I challenge you to put that up at Parachilna campground

Interested to see the total size and weight of the sleeping kit. I watched a couple of the youtubes, and by the time you've deployed the tarp and the ridge line and the bugnet and guyed it all out etc, is it really quicker than a tent?

[Marwood]

The Hammock looks great. I must try one one day, not sure I could actually sleep while bent in a U-Shape. What if you're a side-sleeper? It always _looks_ like people in hammocks have their feet higher than their head...

I'm a side sleeper, and I find lying asymmetrically in a hammock I get pretty much flat and very comfortable. I tend to set up the hang so my head is either level or slightly higher than my feet - opposite to what many folks seem to prefer.

Interested to see the total size and weight of the sleeping kit.

My hammock, tarp, 3-season underquilt, and small footbox pad (think tent plus sleeping mat), with all the stuff sacks, guylines, pegs, etc. together weigh 1.75kg (according to my kitchen scales). Once I swap out my sleeping bag for a top quilt I'll be able to get the total weight and volume down some more. I find the hammock and tarp somewhat easier to pack than my tent because it's soft and compressible (no tent poles).

Quite a few places I've hiked don't have anything useful in terms of trees. Coastal areas and arid inland regions.

Hammocks aren't for everywhere or even everywhen, but nor are tents... and the hammock is comfortable.

by the time you've deployed the tarp and the ridge line and the bugnet and guyed it all out etc, is it really quicker than a tent?

Once I got some practice, it takes about the same as a tent. But when you're hiking, what's the hurry anyway?

[ULWalkingPhil]

Where I camp, there's plenty of trees. To be honest, I don't ever remember camping anywhere that does not have any trees.

I wish the supplied tree straps where a lot longer. One offer of advice I can offer for anyone contemplating purchasing a Warbonnet hammock, don't order the line/strap suspension. Get the adjustable suspension, it comes with a lot longer tree straps.

I went with the advice of Brandon to order the line/strap because I am using whoopie slings. They must have smaller diameter trees in the states than we have here. Way to short.

[ULWalkingPhil]

sorry Phil... hey, Great to see an end? to the saga... photos in action? (watch out for those drop snakes up there..)

Not the drop snakes we worry about, it's the drop bears.

[Marwood]

They must have smaller diameter trees in the states than we have here. Way to short.

Are the straps too short to go around the trees? What kind of trees are they? The trees I mostly hang from have trunks about 30-40 cm diameter or less. Casuarinas seem to be my preferred trees, and lots of them are sufficiently small that I wrap the strap around twice to make sure it doesn't slip.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Good news Phil,

Hopefully mine will be waiting at home for me at this afternoon - (early next week at the latest). Keen to see how you go in the warbonnet underquilt. I went a different route and got a full length quilt from hammockgear.

Shawn

Hi Shawn, those hammock gear quilts do look very nice, I was seriously contemplating purchasing one of those full length quits, but I also wanted to reduce weight and pack volume. Read lots of reports how successful the Warbonnet UQ are in winter use. Even though I need to carry a short length of foam pad with me to place under my feet to keep them warm. The pad will be handy for me to sit on. Particularly on hard rocks. It's very rocky up where I live and hurts my bottom after a while when sitting on the rocks during lunch breaks. So it will serve two purposes for me.

The UQ covers me from the top of my neck to the back of my knees, I could certainly feel the warmth from the UQ. And the cold on the back of my legs from knee to feet. will need to look for a pad tomorrow that I can cut up to fit under my feet.

All up very happy. Just a few minor issues I need to deal with before my first camp, as I've mentioned so far, very minor issues.

[ULWalkingPhil]

They must have smaller diameter trees in the states than we have here. Way to short.

Are the straps too short to go around the trees? What kind of trees are they? The trees I mostly hang from have trunks about 30-40 cm diameter or less. Casuarinas seem to be my preferred trees, and lots of them are sufficiently small that I wrap the strap around twice to make sure it doesn't slip.

I have no idea what the trees here are called, but there big. Yes strap to short to go round one of my trees in my backyard, and I don't class it as a huge tree. Trees on Fraser island are even bigger.

[Nuts]

sorry Phil... hey, Great to see an end? to the saga... photos in action? (watch out for those drop snakes up there..)

Not the drop snakes we worry about, it's the drop bears.

ha..you reckon : the only time ive slept in a hammock was on Fraser, i was lazing in the afternoon when a green snake dropped out of the tree above and landed in with me .. i froze every.. hair standing on end

it didnt last long.. the goanna that had been chasing the snake decided his lunch wasnt getting away that easy and dropped in too there was no freezing any longer, the three of us landed in a frenzied heap after I somehow in a managed to flip us all out... odd animals, they could care less.. just rejoined the chase. Me.. ive been pale ever since

needless to say, i'll bite my tounge on the hammock topic.. keep that tarp up is all i'd add..

[Marwood]

Should've looked at your pics first. Yeah the trees don't look that huge, maybe 40-50cm diameter? So a circumference of around 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 meters. Surprised that the straps are that short. I went with the adjustable webbing suspension and haven't had any problems with them being too short.

[ULWalkingPhil]

sorry Phil... hey, Great to see an end? to the saga... photos in action? (watch out for those drop snakes up there..)

Not the drop snakes we worry about, it's the drop bears.

ha..you reckon : the only time ive slept in a hammock was on Fraser, i was lazing in the afternoon when a green snake dropped out of the tree above and landed in with me .. i froze every.. hair standing on end

it didnt last long.. the goanna that had been chasing the snake decided his lunch wasnt getting away that easy and dropped in too there was no freezing any longer, the three of us landed in a frenzied heap after I somehow in a managed to flip us all out... odd animals, they could care less.. just rejoined the chase. Me.. ive been pale ever since

needless to say, i'll bite my tounge on the hammock topic.. keep that tarp up is all i'd add..

Ha ha, that's funny, snake dropped on you at Fraser Island. It must be a common thing they do. I've had the same happen to at Fraser island. But this snake had unbelievable timing. I was driving along in a open top 4WD with a young lady beside me in the passenger seat, when a huge carpet python dropped from a tree onto her lap. You should have heard the scream. She scared me more than the snake.

I will always use the fly, just incase something decides to drop by for a visit.

[Stuntman]

Hi Shawn, those hammock gear quilts do look very nice, I was seriously contemplating purchasing one of those full length quits, but I also wanted to reduce weight and pack volume. Read lots of reports how successful the Warbonnet UQ are in winter use. Even though I need to carry a short length of foam pad with me to place under my feet to keep them warm. The pad will be handy for me to sit on. Particularly on hard rocks. It's very rocky up where I live and hurts my bottom after a while when sitting on the rocks during lunch breaks. So it will serve two purposes for me.....

I mainly kayak camp so weight is not a big issue for me - packed size can be on extended trips - but usually not a problem. And I roll from side to back to side when I sleep so I wanted to be sure I would stay warm - hence the full length bottom quilt. I typically take a small chair that fits into one of my kayak hatchs (http://www.camptime.net/roll-a-chair.htm) so a foam pad would just be an extra for me.

I went with the strap suspension - I debated a long time which way to go as its a little heavier - but as mentioned, with kayak camping its not such a big deal - and I'll put up with it when I go walking.

My stuff still hasn't arrived (sigh.....)

[ULWalkingPhil]

Im going to camp out tonight in my Hammock to test it all out before my one week hike next week.

Got a few more photos to post, I will start a new Topic with the images.

[Onestepmore]

Hi - I've been doing a lot of reading about hammocks recently, and am considering trying them. Like a lot of people I have been debating between a Hennessy U/L asym zip backpacker or a Warbonnet Blackbird.

Just wondering Phil what the reasons are that you chose the 1.1 double skinned WB one rather than a single skin. Is this so you have the flexibility of using a pad underneath? I notice also you didn't purchase the wind sock - would you if you were in a colder part of the country?
I have watched the videos of the Hennessey insulation system and it seems a bit cumbersome, and I think the use of the emerg blanket crackling all night would drive me nuts. (I do however have my own silver bubblewrap stuff we use under our sleeping pads currently - it was insulation that came with some chemotherapy drugs in an order at work and it works great!)
I am a little concerned about the fact that there isn't a full length WB UQ available, just the yeti torso UQ - I am a cold sleeper. Are other brands' full length UQ's easily compatible without too much modification? Initially I plan on using my normal sleeping bag partway unzipped as the top cover.

If I get a Warbonnet should I splurge a little and get a Cuben tarp right from the start rather than their superfly? I have Phil's rave reports about it.

Sorry for so many questions - I am shamlesslessy tapping into others' experiences here.

[Bluegum Mic]

You'll love it

There are quite a few hammockers lurking on here now so perhaps even if you give a general location of where you are someone may have one nearby for you to try. That way you can see if you like the footbox of the warbonnet or you may like to check bottom entry vs side entry with the hennessy etc. Im no help with the underquilt question as I don't have a warbonnet but most of the UQ makers will accommodate them in their design as the warbonnet is such a popular hammock. Hammock gear and leighlo make great stuff (I have some from both and its top quality workmanship).

Enjoy. I seriously love my hammock. Its so comfy

[ULWalkingPhil]

Hi - I've been doing a lot of reading about hammocks recently, and am considering trying them. Like a lot of people I have been debating between a Hennessy U/L asym zip backpacker or a Warbonnet Blackbird.

Just wondering Phil what the reasons are that you chose the 1.1 double skinned WB one rather than a single skin. Is this so you have the flexibility of using a pad underneath? I notice also you didn't purchase the wind sock - would you if you were in a colder part of the country?
I have watched the videos of the Hennessey insulation system and it seems a bit cumbersome, and I think the use of the emerg blanket crackling all night would drive me nuts. (I do however have my own silver bubblewrap stuff we use under our sleeping pads currently - it was insulation that came with some chemotherapy drugs in an order at work and it works great!)
I am a little concerned about the fact that there isn't a full length WB UQ available, just the yeti torso UQ - I am a cold sleeper. Are other brands' full length UQ's easily compatible without too much modification? Initially I plan on using my normal sleeping bag partway unzipped as the top cover.

If I get a Warbonnet should I splurge a little and get a Cuben tarp right from the start rather than their superfly? I have Phil's rave reports about it.

Sorry for so many questions - I am shamlesslessy tapping into others' experiences here.

Hello Onestepmore.

That was not a easy decision for me at the time. I never tried a hammock before and there was no option for me to try before purchase. I was worried, what if this is not suitable for me, or I did not like it. I read as many reviews as I could find and didn't find anyone complain they where not comfortable in these particular hammocks.

I was initially going to purchase a Hennessy, but I didn't like the entry system at the time and I didn't like the small Tarp supplied with them. I than started to look into the Warbonnet Hammocks, read as much as I could find online, Read reviews, I liked what I was reading, loved the shelve. So I decided it will be a Warbonnet Blackbird, than I saw the different options available.

Why I chosen the 1.1dbl? I wanted the extra assurance of a double layer for comfort & durability, I could have got away with the 1.1 single layer, but than I thought I probably would not want to use a under quilt during our warmer months, so the thought of a thin padding could be handy for the warmer months. At the time, I did not realise you could adjust the warmth on your under-quilt, I've never left on a hike without my under quilt even in summer, it's amazing how cool it can get when your floating up in the air, so to speak at night.

In regards to the wind sock, it was not available from Warbonnet at the time. If I was in a colder climate, I probably would consider a wind sock, The coldest I've been down to thus far is 2C, and I was very warm in my hammock. I think if I used a wind sock I would melt. Not kidding. That's how warm I was.

I went for the Yeti from Warbonnet because it was made to fit the warbonnet Blackbird hammock. at the time when I ordered my hammock gear, i had no experience with hammock camping, so I wanted to make it as easy as possible with setup, and I don't like fiddling around to much with gear at camp. I did some research on this, and found many to have problems setting up a Under quilt to there warbonnet blackbird hammock and had cold sleeps. I didn't want to take this chance, so when I read that the Yeti was made to fit the blackbird, that won me. I also like the light weight of the Yeti, to keep my lower legs warm, I just used a small piece of foam, 3mm thick.

Hammock Gear and other's make Full Length Under quilts that are simple to fit to a Blackbird, I don't know if there's any adjustments that need to be done. But the trick is to get that under-quilt against you with no gaps.

The Warbonnet Superfly is a great tarp, With a superfly and a full length under quilt, I can't see why you would need a wind sock. If it's windy set that superfly down to the ground, but not to far, otherwise condensation could be an issue.

The Cuben Tarps are in my opinion, worth there weight in Gold. mind you there's not a lot of weight there. LOL
There easy to setup and no fiddling once there setup. With sill nylon there's a bit of fiddling involved as sill nylon can change it's size when wet, requiring you to tighten. I used rubber on my tie outs on the superfly to help overcome the fiddling.

I can't see myself ever going back to a sill-nylon tarp after experiencing the Cuben Tarps, they are that much better. I think there worth every dollar. There light, there easy to setup, they pitch better, they let more light in. you can view the moon through your tarp, easy to repair and they don't change shape when wet and they appear to get less wet on the inside and if there wet when you pack up a quick shake and almost all water gone. I've found the Superfly can get a bit heavy when wet. particularly if you don't wipe the moisture off.

I have no regrets in converting to a hammock. there's so many opportunities I can chose to camp, I've been up the top of a mountain with rocks underneath me and 40 degree angle underneath my hammock. I've even reached down and pat animals as they wander under my hammock. I once had a kangaroo visited me on a wet rainy day under my superfly. I'll never forget that experience. The kangaroo's where tame, it was on private property.

[photohiker]

I am a little concerned about the fact that there isn't a full length WB UQ available, just the yeti torso UQ - I am a cold sleeper. Are other brands' full length UQ's easily compatible without too much modification? Initially I plan on using my normal sleeping bag partway unzipped as the top cover.

Hi and welcome to Hammocking!

Are you sure about the WB full length quilts?


http://warbonnetoutdoors.com/quilts.php

Edit: Those temps are in degrees F, not C !!

In any case, third party quilts abound and you you find many great quilts out there.

As far as which tarp, I'd also agree that it would be best to beg, borrow and see everything you can before you buy. Its very easy to suffer upgraditis on this gear, ask Phillip, he was sceptical about cuben until a few weeks ago, now he's just about the company rep!

[Bluegum Mic]

Upgraditis! Love it. That's why I've stopped looking at the hammock forum so much. Seriously expensive past time

[Marwood]

Are you sure about the WB full length quilts?

I'm pretty sure that Warbonnet's new full-length Lynx UQs are only for their new Ridgerunner bridge hammocks, not the Blackbird gathered end hammocks.

Can't comment on cuben fiber anything since although I'm sure it's worth it, that doesn't help if you don't have the $$$.

[photohiker]

Are you sure about the WB full length quilts?

I'm pretty sure that Warbonnet's new full-length Lynx UQs are only for their new Ridgerunner bridge hammocks, not the Blackbird gathered end hammocks.

I stand corrected!

The Lynx is our underquilt for the Ridgerunner hammock

Cheers.

[Onestepmore]

Cheers guys (and gals). Lots of fun things to think about, and some great practical advice.
I think in the next month or so I may succumb to Hammockitis. Who knows, I may even infect hubbykins.
(I'm already afflicted with Upgraditis - an Aarn pack is planned in the next couple of weeks)

[ULWalkingPhil]

I am a little concerned about the fact that there isn't a full length WB UQ available, just the yeti torso UQ - I am a cold sleeper. Are other brands' full length UQ's easily compatible without too much modification? Initially I plan on using my normal sleeping bag partway unzipped as the top cover.

Hi and welcome to Hammocking!

Are you sure about the WB full length quilts?


http://warbonnetoutdoors.com/quilts.php

The Lynx Under-quilt is for the new bridge hammock that warbonnet has recently introduced. Not compatible for Blackbird hammock.

I just read Marwood has picked up on that, I should have read the rest of the posts before commenting.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Cheers guys (and gals). Lots of fun things to think about, and some great practical advice.
I think in the next month or so I may succumb to Hammockitis. Who knows, I may even infect hubbykins.
(I'm already afflicted with Upgraditis - an Aarn pack is planned in the next couple of weeks)

Aarn packs are great if your planning on carrying a lot of weight, actually there great even if you don't carry a lot of weight. I did own a Aarn pack, recently sold it, and upgraded to a very lightweight pack. I've found the lightweight pack more comfortable than the aarn pack I owned. I know it's bizarre. but that's the outcome I've had, maybe it's the gym workouts and lower total pack weight.

Hammock camping can lead to a very lightweight pack.

[Onestepmore]

Hammock gear and leighlo make great stuff (I have some from both and its top quality workmanship).

Thanks so much for the links. More fun things to read

[andrewa]

Has anyone successfully used a Hmmock Gear 3/4 length UQ under a bottom entry HH ? (specifically ultralight backpacker, but the actual model prob doesn't matter). I have modified my HH to ave soe 70cm side zippers so ypu have the facility to adjust UQ from within.

A

[Onestepmore]

OK, I finally bit the bullet and ordered my hammock stuff today (I have a birthday coming up early next month....got to feel good about something!)
Last weekend we went out I think I drove my husband crazy by saying 'that'd be a good spot to put up a hammock' every time we passed some suitable trees

I ordered a Warbonnet Blackbird double 1.1
Silnylon tarp with doors - superfly
Hammock Gear 20 F Incubator and Burrow and a pillow
A set of webbing tree straps and whoopie slings and a triangle thingie (yes, that's what it's called!) from Arrowhead
Various bits of line and locks etc to string the whole thing together from Whoopieslings
Tyvek groundsheet - multi purpose under the tarp, if I ever need to use the hammock as a bug bivvy, and I can use it in the addon gear-shed vestibule of our Hubba Hubba if one of our kids sleeps in there.

I debated on buying a Zpacks down sleeping bag because they are hoodless with a bottom part-zipper, as I do need to upgrade to a lighter winter sleeping bag anyway, but decided on the matching Hammock Gear topquilt. I liked Leighlo's ones, but it didn't seem like you could get top quilts currently, and I wanted them to match. I also particularly liked the option on the HG TQ where there are snaps and a drawstring on the bottom end so you can vent it a bit if you get hot, or, for versatilty for other types of camping, open the whole quilt out into one piece.
I also looked at the Nanatack Gear Arc Arcanist down bag with the sewn foot and open body with straps that's designed to be secured over a sleeping mat, as a hammock option (i have seen one up for sale second hand)
I decided to get a silnylon fly initially, depsite them being heavier than a cuben one and I have been told they stretch a bit when wet. Firstly they are less expensive, and I want to make sure that I get a lot of use from it before I splurge on a cuben one. I have ordered a smaller cuben tarp from zpacks to see how I go with it as a basic emergency-type ground shelter, and see if I like the stuff.

There are lots of interesting cottage manufacturers of sleeping bags, quilts and tarps that I have discovered in my search, and I'm sure I'll add to my gear later.

Now I just need to wait
Thanks for all your advice guys

Last edited by Onestepmore on Wed 10 Oct, 2012 3:38 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[Bluegum Mic]

Congratulations. What a fantastic birthday present. You'll love it (its how I spent my birthday this year...up in the ranges in my hammock). Enjoy

[Marwood]

Hmmm, all you "need" now is some titanium bits and bobs from Dutchware. I'd suggest Dutch Clips and Tarp Flyz.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Congratulations, and welcome to the hammock fraternity.
Those press studs on the Hammock Gear Top Quilt, I hope there not like mine. There so tight, I'm scared they will rip the fabric. I leave mine fastened. Even if I tried to use my finger tips, it just about rips my fingers off before they let go.

[ofuros]

Wow....birthday pressies you know
your going to love.
Only way to go....



.....via tapatalk.

[Onestepmore]

Hmmm, all you "need" now is some titanium bits and bobs from Dutchware. I'd suggest Dutch Clips and Tarp Flyz.

I'll wait until my stuff arrives and I have had some time to fiddle with it all and see what's missing or needs modifying. As a complete novice I am sure I've ordered some things that aren't going to be right. I can see I'm going to enjoy tweaking this.

I wish I had some trees in my yard. I'll have to see what I can rig up with verandah rafters and supports