View Full Version : Just ordered an HH
BirchBark
07-16-2006, 17:39
Just ordered an EXPLORER ULTRALITE A-SYM over the phone from Tom & co. Could have done so online, but I didn't want to miss out on an informative conversation with the CEO himself. Both he and the pleasant woman I spoke with initially were very clear and helpful.
The impulse to buy an HH came out of a recent section hike from Bear Mountain Bridge to Pawling, NY (I arrived home two days ago). This brief shake-down has been very enlightening, and when I return to the trail next weekend my gear and technique will reflect what I've learned:
1. Pack was too heavy
2. Drank too little water, but couldn't carry more ('cause of 1.)
3. Ate too little food
4. Slept poorly and not enough
5. Heat exhaustion is not fun (see 1.)
6. Time management matters
I met some influential folks along the way who introduced me to the hammock thing, and was sold on the concept almost immediately. I found that my tent (Big Agnes Parkview 2), while being more than fine for a hiking couple, was waaay too much tent for me to carry if I ever planned on going solo and doing it my way. My hiking partner had some medical issues to deal with, so next weekend it's gotta be solo or no go.
Most, if not all, of the mistakes I made on the trail were related in some way to my pack being overly heavy. Also, after four nights I began to feel a generalized sense of fatigue due to poor sleep. Furthermore, certain things that should have taken a little bit of time unfortunately took much, much more (collecting and preparing water, setting up & striking the tent, and inconsistent packing & repacking stand out in my mind).
The hammock should be a great asset. It's the Explorer Ultralight A-sym, with snakeskins & the water bottle/fly collection system. I needed something a bit longer to fit me (6'4", 235#) and they recommended the Ultralight over the Explorer Deluxe model.
I ordered it with the three day shipping option. Upon it's arrival I'll start a rapid familiarization process and will be sure to write about it and my fumblings before I jet back to the trail next weekend.
BirchBark
Welcome to the hangers club.:sun
After one night I knew I would never sleep on the ground ever again.
:) happy hammock hanging to ya:cool: neo
Lester C
07-16-2006, 18:09
Just started hangin' last week. My 16 year old son uses an Eagles Nest Outfitters hammock and loves it. He persuaded me to try a hammock. Last week we hiked the last 30+ miles of the AT, from Pollywog Stream to Mt. Katahdin, and spent 2 nights on the trail, both nights on streams. The hammocks made it easier. They are much lighter than a tent. As important, Hammocks give you the opportunity to sleep in an area where you could not pitch a tent. For example, my son and nephew hung their hammocks from trees growing on a large boulder in the middle of Hurd Brook and I hung between a couple of trees growing right by the stream. At the same site, tent campers are forced to use the site around the Hurd Brook leanto, which was not nearly as appealing.
I bought a Byer of Maine Mosquito Traveler and loved it. It cost a fraction of the price of a Hennesy and the quality seems to be great. Make sure you get one w mosquito netting.
Hindsfeet
07-16-2006, 18:19
I bought the HH UL a couple years ago and just recently bought the HH safari deluxe for my wife.I solo camped last weekend and took the safari deluxe.Its a WHOLE lot more comfort and room than the UL and Im only 5 7" and 218 lbs.
hammock engineer
07-16-2006, 19:09
Welcome to the crowd. I also have the HH Ex. Ultra-light Asym. I am 6'4" and 220. You should fit just fine. One thing, the water collection system will collect the water and what ever else happens to be on tarp.
It takes a while to get the hang of, but keep trying.
I have just gotten into backpacking and was considering getting a hammock instead of a tent. Do you use a sleeping bag inside the hammock? If not, what do you use (if anything) to cover up?
hammock engineer
07-16-2006, 22:02
Some people use a quilt, some use a sleeping bag. I use a sleeping bag pulled over as a quilt. I think it gives me another option if I need to move to the ground.
The big thing in bottom insulation. Do some searches on here. More important than top insulation.
peter_pan
07-17-2006, 09:34
Welcome to the hanging crowd.
Pan
RITBlake
07-17-2006, 10:17
I've learned:
1. Pack was too heavy
2. Drank too little water, but couldn't carry more ('cause of 1.)
3. Ate too little food
4. Slept poorly and not enough
5. Heat exhaustion is not fun (see 1.)
6. Time management matters
Welcome to the Appalachian Trail in the Summer.
Nightwalker
07-17-2006, 13:09
1. Pack was too heavy
2. Drank too little water, but couldn't carry more ('cause of 1.)
3. Ate too little food
4. Slept poorly and not enough
5. Heat exhaustion is not fun (see 1.)
6. Time management matters
Man, but do I feel ya on the heat. Went out last week to do Fontana to Franklin. I got off at the NOC. All the vert change in that kind of weather was pretty wild. I drank water like crazy, maybe 4 liters just between Fontana and Cable Gap, but it was pouring off of me so fast that I wasn't even peeing in the daytime.
My pack wasn't so heavy, about 22 pounds, but I still slept badly. Finally got off the ground after that one. I just got my first h@mm*ck last Friday. I've been sleeping outside right beside the house almost every night since. Check out an Eagle's Nest single. It only cost 49.95 and gives an excellent night's sleep.
On the food thing: I've learned to eat whether I feel like it or not out there. It's one of the two pieces of advice that I give to beginners in Georgia every year. The other is go slower than you think you want to, at least through Georgia. Still, I guess if folks want to fast through GA and do it in 4 days, that's up to them. HYOHALAIJLM. That's my motto.
:banana
BirchBark
07-17-2006, 21:40
Is it wrong, do you think, for me to expect to get away with using simply my sleeping bag as a mattress and perhaps a fleece blanket on top in New England this time of year?
I've read all the threads about hammocks in cooler weather, but until I try it out in a local park in a few nights I have nothing but imagination to steer me.
I have a ThermoRest Ridgecrest that I might try, and I also have access to a spare sleeping bag (nylon outer/flannel-type inner) that may be cannibalized if necessary.
I'm not too interested in spending much more coin at this point (I already ate the Big Agnes Parkview, which was used for one week, and a second pair of Vasques that I found to be just a hair too small after a week's worth of break-in).
All input and discussion appreciated,
Birchbark
Mr. Clean
07-18-2006, 07:30
I am usually fine with just my 20* bag inside for the summer months, but as you know, snow can hit in the Presidentials at any month. Bag and hammock should be okay till into Sept.
MedicineMan
07-18-2006, 07:40
Congratulations on your evolution...try to remain humble and not look down on those who dwell among the rock and root.
StarLyte
07-18-2006, 08:22
As you can see Birchbark, every hammock hiker in the world is on this list.
I am not one of those hikers ;)
I like laying flat, stretching my legs, rolling around, and most importantly, I'll never have a critter run into me at night.
I always wonder what happens when a mouse gets into your hammock, I know they're capable. Gosh I can't think about that right now. That's like having a mouse run up your pantleg-----ewww.
Also, what happens when you want to hug someone at night??....."hey you over there, I'm thinking about huggin ya but there's no room for that in here"......
:D :D
generoll
07-18-2006, 08:56
go over to trailjournals.com and read Bue Birds journal. in her most recent entry she discusses her experiences with hammocks and tents. She's been out for quite awhile now and has had ample opportunity to evaluate both.
TN_Hiker
07-18-2006, 09:32
hmmmmm. if StarLyte is going to be giving out hugs than I'm ditching my hammock.....LOL
BirchBark: I'm amazed at how cool I stay even in this heat. Slept in my this past weekend on a quick overnight. At 11pm the temp was still 85 degrees. I woke up once in around 2 am.....cold. The next morning my companions was complaining how hot & humid it was during the night. I just smiled......
peter_pan
07-18-2006, 10:21
Went canoeing on the upper James River last weekend ...12 canoes in all ...4 hammockers...the rest moving hundreds of rocks to make a reasonable spot on one of the islands....was first to bed and last to rise.... oh yea, used two quilts... windows open until middle of the night sometime...closed them half way when out on a bio break....then slept thru till the noise of the early risers cooking and breaking camp.... 75* when retiring, probably 65* by the middle of the night till morning....Some achy backed ground dwellers in warm tents were making comments about hammocks next year. :)
Pan
Half Step
07-19-2006, 17:13
Pan,
Nest, Shenandoah or Stealth underneath?
I'm headed out in a couple of weeks with my 17 y.o. son for a 5 day hike on the AT somewhere within CT and MA. I was hoping that I wouldn't even need bottom insulation, other than maybe a torso sized sit pad, if it got cold. Is this realistic? On the top I plan on using a Speer Top Blanket. I'd really like to do without inside pads. There's nothing like being surrounded by down!
I've only been hanging since last October and have not experienced warm weather hammocking yet. My current gear includes a HH Expl. UL Asym and a Speer 8.0A with PeaPod and TB. I love cold weather sleeping in the full Speer rig. For warm weather, I was going to use the HH Expl. UL Asym (or maybe get a Hyperlite) because the HHs don't cocoon you in as much and might be cooler. I also hate to fuss with the velcro on the Speer netting. The HHs are better in that regard, but you give up "reach out and get stuff". Trade-offs!
With the "windows open", what prevents mosquitos from biting through? Permethrin?
Thanks for any answers and comments.
Rich
peter_pan
07-19-2006, 18:19
Pan,
Nest, Shenandoah or Stealth underneath?
I'm headed out in a couple of weeks with my 17 y.o. son for a 5 day hike on the AT somewhere within CT and MA. I was hoping that I wouldn't even need bottom insulation, other than maybe a torso sized sit pad, if it got cold. Is this realistic? On the top I plan on using a Speer Top Blanket. I'd really like to do without inside pads. There's nothing like being surrounded by down!
I've only been hanging since last October and have not experienced warm weather hammocking yet. My current gear includes a HH Expl. UL Asym and a Speer 8.0A with PeaPod and TB. I love cold weather sleeping in the full Speer rig. For warm weather, I was going to use the HH Expl. UL Asym (or maybe get a Hyperlite) because the HHs don't cocoon you in as much and might be cooler. I also hate to fuss with the velcro on the Speer netting. The HHs are better in that regard, but you give up "reach out and get stuff". Trade-offs!
With the "windows open", what prevents mosquitos from biting through? Permethrin?
Thanks for any answers and comments.
Rich
I used a Nest below...but only because it was still attached from the last trip and packing time was limited....Normally, I would have taken a Shenandoah for the bottom....but hey, in a canoe one does not have to carry the extra 6 oz...
Skeeters were no problem...did not have a bite thru issue even with the windows open....YMMV...if one believes bite thru is bad in an area and it is 65 or cooler the windows being closed prevents the problem....if you expect nite time lows in the 70s and bad, south Fla type blood sucking vampire moskitoes the go for the permethrin...BTW I've HH at the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation in S Fl several times without any bite thru in a HHBUL before I started using a HHELR.
New England in Aug, up high, I would plan to have 50 degree nites...some form of bottom insulation is definately called for.
BTW, if you used a Stealth UQ on the hh and the Speer TB it would be a great summer hammock set up with max breathability, and comfort....plus you could reduce an insulated top....for colder weather put the Speer TB inside the Stealth as a UQ and head for cold weather with bag of choice for the top in the HH.
Pan
Half Step
07-19-2006, 19:31
Thanks!!
Any problems using a Stealth or Shenandoah on a HH Explorer UL Asym? (It's longer than the HHBUL.) Is the suspension system included?
Rich
kyhiker1
07-20-2006, 13:11
Wanting to make the switch from tent to hammock sleeping.I'm leaning toward the Eagles Nest Shelter System.Does anyone have any pro's:) or cons:-? about Eagles Nest Hammocks?I will mostly be using the hammock from Mid-Spring thru Late fall in TN,NC, & VA.The complete system weighs in at 4lbs.8oz.
I own the Eagles Nest, and I love it!!! It rocks, I made my own bug netting ala Speers. It weighs less than the ENO Bug. But it will be your choice....
peter_pan
07-20-2006, 15:26
Thanks!!
Any problems using a Stealth or Shenandoah on a HH Explorer UL Asym? (It's longer than the HHBUL.) Is the suspension system included?
Rich
They fit the Explorer well...key is, they fit the hiker...infact, they will work on all camping style hammocks.... The Stealth and Shenandoah do not come with the suspension system.
Pan
kyhiker1
07-21-2006, 14:49
I own the Eagles Nest, and I love it!!! It rocks, I made my own bug netting ala Speers. It weighs less than the ENO Bug. But it will be your choice....I appreciate the info and will check out Speers netting.
BirchBark
07-21-2006, 21:30
So, the package actually arrived a day earlier than expected and I quickly ran to the park to try a quick setup.
I was impressed with the simplicity of the thing, first and foremost, and had it successfully hanging within 4 minutes of opening the tote for the first time.
I actually think it was set up about 6"-10" too high, as I had to stand up on my toes to crawl into the birth canal. Also, I'm thinking that the trees were a few feet too close together because while the main lines for the hammock were taut and the ridgeline was snug, the ring-shaped fly attachments could not extend far enough outward to the points where the fly would be tight enough to lift it up off the bug screen.
I didn't notice any sag after about ten minutes of in and out, and didn't have any issues with the knots (there are a more than a few which work as well as the one H suggests.)
Going out tomorrow for an extended hang.
There is nothing better than not worrying about finding a level spot or wondering if the tent floor will keep the rain out in a downpour. I June I spent a week near Cataloochie hanging in my HH. I still have my stock fly and it worked well during some heavy thunderstorms. I used my 3/4 Thermarest, and my bag as a quilt. I added a neck pillow, and used my clothes bag under my creaky knees. Perfect.
BirchBark
07-22-2006, 22:09
Well, I just now got home from another few hours spent hanging in th HH, on a 30 degree slope halfway up a secluded hill in a nearby Bronx park. Of course a thunderstorm fired up almost immediately upon my leaving the building, which suited me just fine because I was glad to get a chance to experiment with the rainfly.
It went up quickly and easily, considering I was standing on a slippery slope of wet leaves and rain and this was only the 2nd time I'd opened the totebag. I needed to do a 180 flip and raise the huggers once or twice, but it was really nothing at all. I figure I'll tie a figure 8 stopper knot on the head end next time to remember which end is which.
It was damn humid and nasty, and comfort was hard to find with wet skin on nylon. I could definately feel my core heat being pulled out from my back, so I decided to use my sleeping bag as an underpad and a fleece blanket/pillow. And then things got ridiculous.
As you all must know, it is a darned difficult task to situate a bag underneath yourself while inside the hammock without breaking a sweat. I can see I need to rethink my approach to this issue altogether. I think I'm going to cannibalize that old sleeping bag by cutting out head & arm holes and wearing it into the hammock like a poncho, which I think is the typical method. I'd better do some research.
Looking forward to getting a full night in.
Well, I just now got home from another few hours spent hanging in th HH, on a 30 degree slope halfway up a secluded hill in a nearby Bronx park.
Hey BirchBark,
I live in the Bronx too!...and I did the same thing with my Hammock! Great minds think alike!
:D
peter_pan
07-23-2006, 09:44
...It was damn humid and nasty, and comfort was hard to find with wet skin on nylon. I could definately feel my core heat being pulled out from my back, so I decided to use my sleeping bag as an underpad and a fleece blanket/pillow. And then things got ridiculous.
As you all must know, it is a darned difficult task to situate a bag underneath yourself while inside the hammock without breaking a sweat. I can see I need to rethink my approach to this issue altogether. I think I'm going to cannibalize that old sleeping bag by cutting out head & arm holes and wearing it into the hammock like a poncho, which I think is the typical method. I'd better do some research.
Looking forward to getting a full night in.
Best solutions for comfort and elimination of the "get situated dance' are to use some form of under insulation and reduce stuff in the hammock to you and someting used quilt-like over you in the hammock....
Pan
BirchBark
07-25-2006, 00:59
Hey all...
I'll probably get directed to read up on past threads, but I've researched this board and others for several days and I'm still left wondering:
can I beat the cool temps of a New England August & September in my HH by using layers of clothing, such as thermal underwear, fleece pants & hooded sweatshirt, etc.? Dang, I don't want to dish out another 2 beans for a system like the JRB thing, and I don't relish the idea of struggling with a sleeping bag/ccf pad combination every night either.
Thanks all.
Just Jeff
07-25-2006, 01:18
Guess it depends on how much extra clothing you're willing to carry. The problem is that insulated clothing compresses when you lay on it, just like sleeping bags do. So yes - it's possible, but it'll be bulkier and heavier than other options. And clothing doesn't vent as readily as a quilt, either.
For 30F, consider ~2" of compressible insulation like an underquilt or ~1/2" CCF pad, depending on how you sleep. It'll take alot of clothing to match that, but I guess it could be done.
txulrich
07-25-2006, 10:25
Hey all...
can I beat the cool temps of a New England August & September in my HH by using layers of clothing, such as thermal underwear, fleece pants & hooded sweatshirt, etc.? Dang, I don't want to dish out another 2 beans for a system like the JRB thing, and I don't relish the idea of struggling with a sleeping bag/ccf pad combination every night either.
Thanks all.
I went through everything you're trying now. I finally bit the bullet and spent the money for JRB. I haven't regretted the decision for a second. It is by far, the most comfortable way to go in a hammock.
BirchBark
07-25-2006, 22:34
Allow me to begin by thanking everyone who has taken part in this thread, as well as acknowledge all those who have contibuted to the greater Whiteblaze community.
I ordered the SuperShelter today. I did so because I simply do not have the time to go through the lengthy trial and error process associated with learning firsthand how to stay comfortable in a hammock in New England in early autumn. What I did have, however, was a spare $139 and all of the information I've gleaned about cool weather hammocking on or by way of this board.
I'm looking to try it out one, maybe two nights locally before MTA'ing it back to Pawling as soon as there's a decent weather window. Three day shipping means I'll be writing here again by the weekend, hopefully.
BirchBark
07-25-2006, 22:41
BTW, I went with the HH SuperShelter over the JRB "No Sniveller" based on:
1. price, and...
2. faith in Mr. H. and his ideas
Did you look at the kickass quilts. Mine cost $180.