View Full Version : Finally got my stuff together! :D
jellywerker
07-27-2006, 16:46
I don't have any pics atm, but I finally just went out and got the things I'd need for some weekend hammock camping. Total cost: ~$40 with a weight of about ~13lb's, including 12oz of heet, due to the fact that I can't find a good smaller container for it atm. I got a cheap wal mart pack that's 1830ci, and my stuff fits fine, the only hassle I could see is trying to fit more than 3 days of food or some non compact food into it. I had to waste some space for my contact stuff, I'm taking full 10oz bottle of saline, as losing my eyeballs is not something I want to do (out of curiosity, what do other people with contacts do on the trail? Using glasses isn't an option for me)
As for the hammock and tarp, it's a 9x5 foot tarp I made from coated nylon, the hammock is a speer style made from a breathable polyester/spandex mix, I slept in it last night and it was very comfortable compared to the non breathable fabrics I had previously used. It is shorter than most peoples at 8' but I prefer the smaller size and width. I am using a ridgeline, but don't have treehugger's yet, I'll make some later. No snakeskins either, It's a small and simple setup that rolls up easy, so I won't worry about that till it starts raining again. As for the bugnet, it's a tubular design with a drawstring at one and and tied to the hammock at the other, sewed by me :D It's simple and effective, and weighs in at around 5oz. Lastly I have a smallish fleece blanket, warm, packs small, and adequate for me for the temps around here (about ~50deg f last night)
As for other stuff, I have bike tools, a few clothes and a light rainjacket+fleece, and then some misc. items. The only things I plan to add are food, an inner tube, and a co2-inflate capsule. I carry my water, 48oz, on my bike (and since I'll be mostly local, I can fill up at water fountains, etc... so no aqua mira for me)
That's about all, I'm pretty happy to finally have gotten of my butt and made/bought this stuff, and I'm going on an inaugural overnighter this weekend.
welcome to the world of hammock hangers... may you always hang in peace.
admirable that you came up with so much of your own stuff without breaking the bank. if you're only 15, you've renewed my faith in youth... and your command of the written language sets you above many of your peers and some adults... thank you.
one of those REALLY small water bottles (8 oz?) works well for alcohol on short trips if space is at a premium... but at 0.6 oz for an empty 16-20oz bottle, you can just fill it part way and come up a little lighter.
i solved my eye problem years ago by just wearing glasses. with glass lenses. yes, i know. they're heavy. but i can wipe mud off them on a shirt tail, or even my finger, and it won't scratch the fancy coating off the plastic. since that's not an option for you, you can get smaller food-grade bottles to store liquids like your saline solution. there's a whole thread, maybe two, around here dedicated to eye care while hiking/camping.
jellywerker
07-27-2006, 22:21
Thank you! I read a lot, so I presume that helps with composition and vocabulary.
Weight is not too much of an issue with me, especially with a weekend base weight of 13lbs (which I realised will make biking with a pack easier compared to a weight of 25, as it doesn't change my center of gravity so much), but the pack I have will be a rather tight fit with food and if I could use the side pocket I am currently filling with the heet bottle, I could probably fit in a meal or two into the area. I'll have to take a look at the 8oz bottles, I believe I've seen some with water and soda, but I'd rather check to see if any stores near me carry the micro-gatorade bottles, as they seem structurally superior due to the non pressurized drink within.
As for eyeglasses, again, I don't mind the weight, but when I switched to contacts I failed to have my glasses fitted with my new prescription, so they are out of date for my eyes. Glasses while biking is also somewhat akward due to the tendency to fog even while riding and the lack of sun protection. A good pair of bike glasses stays clear while moving (and being air cooled) and will normally only fog up when you stop.
Also, incase anyone says I should have gone with panniers or a tail rack, well, a pack was cheaper, perfectly suitable to my low volume needs, and as I have biked quite a bit with a pack and actually appreciate the heat, not an issue when it comes to a hot back.
While your grammar, composition, and vocabulary may be advanced beyond your years (and the medium), only youth can explain the atrocious rudeness in your original post.
How on Earth could you list so many things -- homemade, nonetheless! -- before having pictures ready? You should really know that those of us older and wiser are also more immature and impatient.
Spandex hammock and no pictures. The vagaries of youth...
I use the one ounce bottles of Clerz. It is more expensive, but a little goes a long way. Especially if you have the new silicone contacts, but it works with all of them. I also carry a spare set of contacts with me, just in case.
To save room with the food you can cut down/out some of the store packaging and just use quart freezer bags. Using a soda bottle for the fuel works well. But on shorter outings I use an old 10 oz Saline solution bottle (wierd coincidink huh?), no fuss, no muss.
I have used my pack on my bike several times, no worries.
The only thing I would add would be a good first aid kit (good means adequate, not huge), then hit the road/trails and make some waffle prints!
Just Jeff
07-28-2006, 02:01
admirable that you came up with so much of your own stuff without breaking the bank. if you're only 15, you've renewed my faith in youth... and your command of the written language sets you above many of your peers and some adults... thank you.
Well said.
How on Earth could you list so many things -- homemade, nonetheless! -- before having pictures ready?
Well said.
Pics! Now! :D
blackbishop351
07-28-2006, 03:27
I'm also truly impressed, but pics are definitely a MUST!! :D
jellywerker
07-28-2006, 20:32
My greatest apologies! I'm sorry I don't have pics, I don't have a camera. I'll find some proper trees (I've been hanging it under my porch which doesn't allow me to put the tarp up) and borrow my sister's digicam and try to get some up later today.
jellywerker
08-04-2006, 19:27
Here to appease you are some photos I finally got of my setup. As you can see from the photos, my tarp cords are way too short, other than that I am happy with the setup and don't plan to change anything besides the tarp cords. Amazingly that blanket does actually keep me warm :D
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/9/2/1/7/DSC02721.JPG
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/9/2/1/7/DSC02728.JPG
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/9/2/1/7/DSC02724.JPG
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/9/2/1/7/DSC02723.JPG
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/9/2/1/7/DSC02722.JPG
Get some tree huggers for the hammock support ropes and you will be set. Nylon straps work ina pinch but I think the Polypro straps are better. I use 1.5" huggers when I use them, 6' long. You can defenitly get away with some good spots at night with that set up.:banana
StarLyte
08-06-2006, 13:26
Here to appease you are some photos I finally got of my setup. As you can see from the photos, my tarp cords are way too short, other than that I am happy with the setup and don't plan to change anything besides the tarp cords. Amazingly that blanket does actually keep me warm :D
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/9/2/1/7/DSC02721.JPG
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/9/2/1/7/DSC02728.JPG
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/9/2/1/7/DSC02724.JPG
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/9/2/1/7/DSC02723.JPG
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/9/2/1/7/DSC02722.JPG
I wish you were my kid.
I wish you were my kid.
LOL, beat me too it.