Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2015 21:12:16 GMT -8
I've really been thinking about getting into a hammock lately, really looking hard at the Warbonnet Black Bird. I've been using Nemo 2 man tent, great tent in spite of being bad about condensation even when fully vented. What is everyone's thoughts on tent vs. hammock. Hammocks seem to be getting more and more poplar. Should I take the leap? Not cheap for a good hammock and all the periferals like under quilts and over quilts. By the time you add all of it up it is the same as a good lightweight tent. And do I really save any weight and/or create more pack room with a hammock?
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gabby
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Post by gabby on Jun 29, 2015 23:41:25 GMT -8
You should get zeke to talk about his setup. He probably has a really good grip on how it's done and what would be best. God knows I've waited for something like a year to talk to him about the WBBB I bought, but I finally just went out and tried one of everything - tarp guys, rigging, etc. until I got something I liked. Truly wish the forum hadn't tanked about the time I bought it. I would've saved some money. I bought a WBBB (double layer 1.1 with the looped straps and whoopie slings - I'm not all that heavy and I liked the idea of saving some weight and having the "double layer" option) and the Mamajamba (w/o the doorkit) to start, using a BD 'biner to clip the whoopies to the strap loop. I probably could have used one of my other tarps to start, but I splurged. But then I went to Dutchware and got a ( continuous ridgeline) for the MMJB tarp and a couple of their titanium dutch clips. But I also tried the "all in one" system from whoopieslings.com. (I don't know for sure, but it now looks like they're only buiding the AIO suspensions as "custom".) There was a LOT of other stuff, some of which is lurking in my "gear room" after one use. Anyway, I'm really a newb on all this. I haven't gotten into the "under/over quilts" yet, but I have a few quilts which might do for now from Jacks R Better, and the WBBB I got is a double layer, so I could "fudge" a bit and use insulation in the form of a mat if it was not too cold. (I guess.) Once again: talk to zeke and some others, or go to the hammock forum ( hammockforums.net), sign up and ask your question again.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jun 30, 2015 6:08:37 GMT -8
I love my WBBB. I consider it and my OES tarp as my shelter. Combined, it weighs about the same as my Shire's Tarptent, but I sleep so much better in the hammock. As for the quilts, I have a double layer WBBB so I use a pad underneath for warmth (because I already had one and I am cheap). I bought a top quilt from UGQ and am more than happy with it.
Pack room-- Since the hammock and tarp are 2 separate items, I think pack room is saved. I keep mine in snake skins (by Mountain Goat), which makes them easier to put up and take down. It also makes them easier to pack. I have a set of pics that show my 2 day pack load in a 28L daypack that I will link to below.
2 day pack slide show
One more thing, to Gabby as well as to you: Anything you decide you no longer want or need can be sold on hammockforums.net, for close to retail. There is always someone else looking for just what you decided you don't want. Dutchware is addicting, so try to use some restraint there. I have his flys, hooks, and some clips. The guy is just too clever and keeps taking $$ out of my wallet
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Jun 30, 2015 6:21:52 GMT -8
After experimentation, I have chosen to use my hammock for three season use only because of the weight in winter and the much better winter protection of a ground based shelter. Is a hammock worth it? In the areas (PNW) I often hike in during those seasons, I find a hammock to be an absolute pleasure and a very comfortable sleep.
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theo
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Post by theo on Jun 30, 2015 13:03:07 GMT -8
Early adopter of the WBBB.( bought mine in 2009,I think ) For me, hammocks are way more comfortable than sleeping on the ground. Really like the foot box in the Blackbird as it helps me find that sweet spot quicker. Tarp from Warbonnet. Top and under quilt from Hammock Gear. Prefer under quilt over pads.
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Post by paula53 on Jun 30, 2015 21:27:35 GMT -8
How do the hammocks handle heavy wind and rain?
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theo
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Post by theo on Jul 1, 2015 4:04:47 GMT -8
The same as tents. Like tents, some set ups are better than others plus being off the ground, you don't have to worry about water funneling into your sleeping area.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Jul 1, 2015 5:43:46 GMT -8
How do the hammocks handle heavy wind and rain? My experience - It depends on what you consider wind. I've been in relatively strong winds, rain, sleet, hail, and snow in my hammock. However, I think my hammock has been in around 20-25 mph winds as a top speed. Hanging weight from the edge of my tarp helps to keep flapping to a minimum and keeps it from lifting. I also learned to guy out in two directions in high winds. I have one of the smallest tarps for a hammock (Original Hennessy Hammock Ultralight Asym model) and it has done fine keeping out rain and sleet in high winds. I have never gotten wet under my tarp ever. Keeping it a bit lower to the ground during storms also helps and if you get lucky and have a ditch underneath it, it is pretty darn close to bombproof. I still would not compare it to a ground based shelter in the same conditions...but you're going to be under trees so you'll have some added wind protection.
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gabby
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Post by gabby on Jul 1, 2015 13:05:14 GMT -8
Assuming buffalomark isn't a troll and will someday return to this thread, I think we have a candidate for reading Derek Hansen's "The Ultimate Hang". Amazon: "The Ultimate Hang" - $5.99It's an easy and fast read, and there is a lot of info packed in that little book. OTOH, you could go visit theultimatehang.com for a lot of the same information, and hammockforums.net should be a required stop. As to paula53's question, How do the hammocks handle heavy wind and rain? I'd start with asking about "winter tarps" (w/ doors!), tarp positioning, windsocks and driplines at that very same place: hammockforums.netHammock suspensions need some attention to avoid water running down to the hammock fabric, and that is just one of the many topics covered well in Mr. Hansen's little book. Or try here for starters: theultimatehang.com/2014/05/hammock-water-breaks-and-drip-lines/
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Post by paula53 on Jul 1, 2015 13:43:23 GMT -8
Thanks for the responses, they were very helpful. I had no idea they were so sturdy and comfortable.
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Post by ashepabst on Jul 2, 2015 11:29:42 GMT -8
do you have anyone you could borrow from? some folks just can't seem to get comfy in a hammock.
I love mine... use it on all of my solo trips except in weather colder than my underquilt can handle.
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Post by dayhiker on Jul 2, 2015 16:36:30 GMT -8
After experimentation, I have chosen to use my hammock for three season use only because of the weight in winter and the much better winter protection of a ground based shelter. Is a hammock worth it? In the areas (PNW) I often hike in during those seasons, I find a hammock to be an absolute pleasure and a very comfortable sleep. I agree with this, though it has been some time since I compared the weight of the two esp. in winter. And summer tents keep getting lighter, since I first got my Hennessy Hammock. The main pluses for me is being able to camp just about any where below tree line with a hammock, or at least allot more places, and works great right at tree line as well. If I take a bigger tarp you have a place to hang out in the rain, can stand etc., before you turn in. The hammock is like a dream for an hour or two, but my back starts to ache after that, esp. if I don't switch to side sleeping before it does. I got the WBB to help with that. but the shelf blocks the view and ventialtion. Someone said the new ones are mesh, but I did not see that on his website. I think my hammocks with the tarp and lines and biners are about 2 lbs, the WBB is just a bit heavier than the Hennessy with a larger tarp. But my Double Rainbow, which does not require trekking poles is 40 oz. + ground cloth so about the same, so . . . I use a foam pad with both. Oh once I did use my hammock in the fall and got some condensation on it when it snowed.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jul 5, 2015 16:23:40 GMT -8
At the risk of Zeke taking still further liberties with my reputation, I tried his out last Sept. for just a few minutes, and can definitely see that it is comfy! I would want to try a whole night before I committed, because it is different from a tent, though. And for me, well, I'll stick with a tent because a) I like to camp above tree-line, and b) I like to share my tent with my husband :D BTW, that latter is a weight-saver--I get away with a lighter bag than I could solo, as I generally back up to him for extra insulation. I would like to switch to a quilt, as I've been using my bag that way for several years now and almost never zip it up. But did I mention I'm cheap?
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johnnyray
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Post by johnnyray on Jul 5, 2015 17:04:28 GMT -8
Wasn't there a post in the previous Forum about wearing Depends when using a hammock because a pee bottle won't work and he didn't want to get up when it was cold or something? I don't use a hammock...or Depends.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jul 5, 2015 17:22:18 GMT -8
I use a pee bottle just fine in my WBBB hammock. I have mastered the technique and can go while still laying on my back. One trick might be using a bottle with a large mouth (makes it easier to not miss) and a qt size. I can pee a couple of times during the night and empty in the morning. I use an old gatorade bottle.
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