View Full Version : Prospective hammock camper
jellywerker
06-06-2006, 01:46
Hello,
I am a 15 year old who is rather short on money and is hoping to get into camping, prefferably through backpacking/hammocking. I've been researching hammocks and it seems the general consensus is that they are much more comfortable than tents and pads, but sometimes weigh a bit more. Fine with me. I am hoping to make my own and am still undecided as to what I need. I live in the Seattle area and plan to do some camping within a few hours of there this summer, so that gives a bit of locale info. I don't expect temps less than 45. Anyways, I was wondering what all I need for a basic hammock setup. I was thinking along the lines of:
1. hammock (probably homemade speer style without sewed on bugnet or ridgeline, unsure about ridgeline though)
2. treehuggers
3. snakeskins (seperate for tarp and hammock, don't want a wet tarp with a dry hammock in the same snakes belly :D)
4. tarp (8x8 silnylon seems best)
5. stakes
6. overquilt w/ zipper or clips to make foot bag (probably silnylon with enough 8 or 900 fill down to give it 2 or so inches of loft. It's a summer quilt, maybe more though, as I like to sleep pretty toasty)
7. bugnet (thinking tube style or a sheet I can drape over a ridgeline and velcro together at the bottom)
8. gear hammock (definately just jeff's multi purpose one, it's very cool and saves me making a pack cover too)
9. tarp tensioners
As I intend to make a lot of my own gear I intend to go extremely (though probably not ultra) light out the door, probably making my own backpack (of my own design :D I'll post it when I can scan it), alcohol stove, quilt/hammock, some clothing, etc... going for a target load of sub 15 pounds without consumables and fitting into a space about the size of 3 crisco cans, excluding the hammock, tarp, and quilt as the backpack is something of a tubular sling. Homemade seems cheaper too, of course not counting labor.
Well, I'll post more questions as I have them, thanks. Next will probably be a basic gearlist.
Just Jeff
06-06-2006, 02:46
Welcome to WB! Sounds like a good setup. Some comments:
1 - Try the ridgeline before you decide. I bet you'll keep it.
4 - 8x8 is a great size and will keep you dry, with room to change and cook. If you're spending lots of time under it (since you're in the PNW), you might even want a bigger one.
6 - DO NOT USE SILNYLON for the quilt unless you want a vapor barrier (probably not). Use some form of DWR. Also, a zipper on the footbag can damage the hammock - if you're not making it multi-use like the JRB, just sew it...you'll have plenty of room to pull a foot out if you need to vent. Otherwise, I'd stick with velcro or maybe a couple of buttons.
You'll certainly want some sort of bottom insulation, too. I'm sure you've seen the discussions about pads, underquilts, pods, etc. I'm partial to breathable insulation like insulated hammocks and underquilts, but pads are the cheapest and most rugged if you can handle the condensation issues.
You also didn't mention hammock supports. If you're doing a Speer-type with webbing, you won't need the tree huggers. If you're using cord like the Hennessy's Spectra, tree huggers need to be pretty long to deal with the trees where you are - probably ~96" to be safe. Either way, you'll need a breaking strength of 600+ lbs.
Homemade gear can often be cheaper depending on what materials you use, but you can also find some gear on sale for about the same price. Two days ago there was a Patagucci Micropuff vest on eBay for $60, and the Minima vest at thru-hiker.com costs $45+shipping. Aside from the pride of making your own gear, I'd pay an extra $10 for those few hours of work. (I almost just did, actually...decided to wait, though.)
Sounds like you have a bunch of sewing ahead of you...have fun with it and be sure to post pics as your projects come along!
SGT Rock
06-06-2006, 05:25
Welcome to the hammock world. Before I bought my first Hennessy, I sort of did the homemade system. It consisted of one of those net survival hammocks, a couple of tent stakes, an Army Poncho, and an Army bug bar (mosquito net). The system worked. I think you can do it.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
06-06-2006, 07:29
Welcome to WB. I've been investigating hammocking myself lately. http://www.imrisk.com is a web site that has a list of hammock links about half way down the page that have been extremely helpful to me in learning about the different sorts of hammocks, ways to hang hammocks and how to stay dry & warm in hammocks.
I made the 'test hammock (http://www.imrisk.com/testhammock/testhammock.htm)' on his list of links using some material from Wal-Mart's $1/yard area and a 50' roll of 1" nylon webbing from Wal-mart's clearance bin (rope could be used, but it isn't good for the trees you hang from). This was probably the most enlightening experience as I got to experience first hand in my own backyard what was and wasn't important to me in a hammock's design. Making the test hammock does not involve any sewing or cutting of the fabric (except cutting the webbing) so it can still be untied and used for another project - like the hammock you eventually make :D
Just Jeff and SgtRock above are both very knowledgeable regarding hammock design and methods for staying warm and dry. The link in SgtRock's signature goes to a site that has an excellent hammock section.
BTW, JRB in Jeff's post stands for Jack's R Better (http://www.jacksrbetter.com/) - a manufacturer of some of the most innovative, well-thought-out and practical hammock accessories available. I'd strongly suggest taking a look at the site for ideas.
peter_pan
06-06-2006, 08:09
Welcome to the hanging crowd.
If you need plans for the old Python Skins ckeck out the new DIY section at http://www.jacksrbetter.com.
You really don't want to use zippers on your hammock quilt....No snag velcro in 3/4 inch width can be found in 3 foot packages in most sewing stores expect to pay about $5 a package and you will need two packages...it is pricey but easy to work with and works well.
Pan
txulrich
06-06-2006, 09:33
Welcome to the hanging crowd.
If you need plans for the old Python Skins ckeck out the new DIY section at http://www.jacksrbetter.com.
Pan
Pan,
I was looking for the DIY section on your site and it didn't come up. Can you post a direct link??
Frolicking Dinosaurs
06-06-2006, 09:56
Since Peter Pan is off-line - http://www.jacksrbetter.com/index_files/DIY.htm
txulrich
06-06-2006, 12:50
Thanks Dino.
peter_pan
06-06-2006, 15:05
Since Peter Pan is off-line - http://www.jacksrbetter.com/index_files/DIY.htm
Thanks Dino.
Pan
Welcome aboard :)
A nice & cheap hammock is avalable at http://www.ccoutdoorstore.com/bymotrha.html
Only $19.95 (plus S&H). I love mine!!
Add a camo tarp avalable at http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=97247 for $29.97 (plus S&H).
My "tree huggers" are recycled seatbelts, free plus 15 minutes of sewing.
My rope was about $7.00, but then I bought 20'.
My sleeping pad is a CC foam I already have (free?)
For a grand total of around $60.00
Doctari.
Ramble~On
06-07-2006, 01:05
$19.95 ? That is Awesome !!!
I second the hammock mentioned. I just returned home from a few days out and I am still amazed at how big and comfortable this $20.00, 15 ounce hammock is.
I just spent the night in my Byer (in the back yard), my 4th one since I bought it. I almost couldn't get up this morning I slept so sound.
Didn't even use the tarp, slept under the stars.
If nothing else, it's a good hammock to see if you like sleeping in a hammock. I think it would easily last a thru hike. I can now set up in under 5 min, tarp & all. It takes a bit longer to set up the tarp first & then the hammock, as the tarp seems to get in the way. But if raining, I can set up with the hammock staying dry.
Doctari.
jellywerker
06-13-2006, 10:35
Thanks for all the replies so far, and I apologise for taking so long to get back to this, I was at Junior Nationals.
Anyways, back to the topic:
I have made several more test hammocks, based mostly on Risks test hammock, and I found all of them comfy. I'm now looking around for some breathable ripstop nylon to make my final one out of. I have 3 days of school left so I should have some time this weekend.
*more later
SuperTroll
06-13-2006, 11:02
A line tied between two trees used to support a tarp....
Much the same as a house with a pitched roof has a roof line.......
Pennsylvania Rose
06-13-2006, 11:18
I'm going to make a test hammock this summer. Anybody have any ideas about how to try it out in a treeless backyard? I have a deck that I could use for one "tree", but because it's so close to the ground I can't hang between two posts. I can't go to the woods for the night any time in the next few weeks, either.
hammock engineer
06-13-2006, 11:22
Thanks for all the replies so far, and I apologise for taking so long to get back to this, I was at Junior Nationals.
Would that be the USRowing youth invite held last weekend?
what is a ridgeline?
Also, in regards to a hammock: A ridgeline is used to fix the distance between the tie points of a hammock. The Hennessy has one permenently attached so that the hammock sags at the desired (prescribed) amount. On the others it isn't included, but one can be added at the owners discretion. The nice thing about a ridgeline on a hammock, it makes set up the same (almost) no matter where you set up. I am learning that it's faster too, for me: hang ridgeline between 2 trees, clip on hammock, Sleep.
Doctari.
Just Jeff
06-13-2006, 11:42
You can see some pics here of the hammock with and w/o the ridgeline. Notice the difference in how the hammock sags, even when the angle of the supports hasn't really changed. Like Doctari said, that sag will stay the same no matter where you hang or how tightly you pull the supports. Consistent, comfortable hang each time.
http://www.tothewoods.net/HomemadeGearHammockSock.html
fivefour
06-13-2006, 15:41
I'm going to make a test hammock this summer. Anybody have any ideas about how to try it out in a treeless backyard? I have a deck that I could use for one "tree", but because it's so close to the ground I can't hang between two posts. I can't go to the woods for the night any time in the next few weeks, either.
does your car have racks ? you could tie off one end there ...
I'm going to make a test hammock this summer. Anybody have any ideas about how to try it out in a treeless backyard? I have a deck that I could use for one "tree", but because it's so close to the ground I can't hang between two posts. I can't go to the woods for the night any time in the next few weeks, either.
Have you considered flyfishers single pole method ? http://www.imrisk.com/hammock/singlepolehammock.htm
drive in a couple strong stakes for anchoring the free end - see picket holdfast page 4-3 of FM5-125 https://atiam.train.army.mil/soldierPortal/atia/adlsc/view/public/8408-1/fm/5-125/fm5_125.pdf