Ditching the Hammock idea

[Incahiker]

I finally got to take my HH Expedition out for a test run deep into a WMA. Well, the hiking was awesome since it was over 2 lbs. lighter then my 2 man tent I went backpacking with last time and I had no need for a pad. Got to the camping spot and set up the hammock. Sat by the fire for a while and drank some bourban, smoked a cigar and enjoyed nature. Finally was time for sleep.

This is where I started to not like the hammock. 1st, I always go with my dog. Unfortunately I had to tie her to a tree and put a blue foam pad for her to sleep on directly under the hammock. Well, I didn't like the idea that she was going to get eaten by mosquitoes and all other bugs all night long, but there was nothing I could do about that. Also, she didn't sleep all that good since since there was no tent and she could see all the little animals all around, so she was growling at everything she saw all night, who knows what it was, but I heard something crashing through the woods one time, it was loud and creepy, only like 20 yards from me by a creek.:eek:

I got to bed around 11pm, and slept erratically until 3 am. This is when I woke up with the largest splitting headache I ever had, almost to the point of throwing up because it was so bad. It was because the tent fabric was so taught when laying on it that it was VERY uncomfortable for my head. Also, my head was always cocked at a weird angle because of the hammock, could never find a comfy position for my head. Even though you lay close to flat in the HH, it made my sciatica flare up like crazy, and when you sleep on your side your still slightly bent, and this just kills my back. I could not get comfy at all, and the headache lasted all night until dawn at 5:45, those were the worst hours outdoors EVER, didn't sleep from 3 till 5:45!! As soon as I got out of the hammock the headache dissapeared.

It seemed like a good idea, but I guess I will have to stick to ground dwelling, especially since I use a Blow up pad, I can feel no rocks, sticks, and sleep like a baby. I envy all you who sleep like babies in hammocks, especially in the summer times, can't get much cooler then that.

Also, during the outing, I noticed that it was just as hard to find a Hammocking spot as it was to find a tent spot. Like where 2 trees were far enough apart without all kinds of crap going under it. I think that a tent/tarp is more versatile, especially sleeping where there are no trees, like on balds here in the south east.

I will be getting a REI Chrysalis 1 man tent that should be able to fit me and my smallish dog, and it only weighs in at 3 lbs, so only 4 ounces more then the HH, I can deal with that. I maybe should take that back and get the rainbow tarptent, only 2 lbs.

[generoll]

Check out the Black Diamond mids. They are good for dogs as there is no floor and they can slip under to enter or exit easily. There's also no floor for their nails to punch holes in. The silnylon tents are very light as well as roomy for the weight. If bugs are an issue then you have to add the netting which takes away the weight advantage so it's all about what you need the most I guess.

[daibutsu]

Too bad about your unfortunate experience with a Hennessy Hammock. I had the same issues and other problems with my Hennessy ( failure to disclose manufacture in China, for one) but 'graduated' to a Speer Hammock and have never looked back at tents, unless above the tree line.

[Appalachian Tater]

Have you ever had a headache similar to that before?

[HikerRanky]

I finally got to take my HH Expedition out for a test run deep into a WMA. Well, the hiking was awesome since it was over 2 lbs. lighter then my 2 man tent I went backpacking with last time and I had no need for a pad. Got to the camping spot and set up the hammock. Sat by the fire for a while and drank some bourban, smoked a cigar and enjoyed nature. Finally was time for sleep.

This is where I started to not like the hammock. 1st, I always go with my dog. Unfortunately I had to tie her to a tree and put a blue foam pad for her to sleep on directly under the hammock. Well, I didn't like the idea that she was going to get eaten by mosquitoes and all other bugs all night long, but there was nothing I could do about that. Also, she didn't sleep all that good since since there was no tent and she could see all the little animals all around, so she was growling at everything she saw all night, who knows what it was, but I heard something crashing through the woods one time, it was loud and creepy, only like 20 yards from me by a creek.:eek:

Sorry to hear about your bad initial experience with the hammock... Given that you always hike with your dog, it is probably not the best solution for your circumstances....


I got to bed around 11pm, and slept erratically until 3 am. This is when I woke up with the largest splitting headache I ever had, almost to the point of throwing up because it was so bad. It was because the tent fabric was so taught when laying on it that it was VERY uncomfortable for my head. Also, my head was always cocked at a weird angle because of the hammock, could never find a comfy position for my head. Even though you lay close to flat in the HH, it made my sciatica flare up like crazy, and when you sleep on your side your still slightly bent, and this just kills my back. I could not get comfy at all, and the headache lasted all night until dawn at 5:45, those were the worst hours outdoors EVER, didn't sleep from 3 till 5:45!! As soon as I got out of the hammock the headache dissapeared.

It sounds as though that the hammock was stretched too tight... Was it very difficult to get into the hammock thru the opening? Also, did you have a pillow under your neck and head at any time? I use my shirt and a jacket rolled up in a stuff sack for a pillow...


It seemed like a good idea, but I guess I will have to stick to ground dwelling, especially since I use a Blow up pad, I can feel no rocks, sticks, and sleep like a baby. I envy all you who sleep like babies in hammocks, especially in the summer times, can't get much cooler then that.

I used to sleep on the ground, and have a BA Insulated Air Core mattress, and was still not as comfortable as I am in my Explorer Deluxe... I'm 6'6", 255 lbs, and absolutely love my hammock...


Also, during the outing, I noticed that it was just as hard to find a Hammocking spot as it was to find a tent spot. Like where 2 trees were far enough apart without all kinds of crap going under it. I think that a tent/tarp is more versatile, especially sleeping where there are no trees, like on balds here in the south east.

Yep, no trees, no hammock to hang...
I will be getting a REI Chrysalis 1 man tent that should be able to fit me and my smallish dog, and it only weighs in at 3 lbs, so only 4 ounces more then the HH, I can deal with that. I maybe should take that back and get the rainbow tarptent, only 2 lbs.

But you can use it like a bivy.... check out this link (http://www.hennessyhammock.com/use-as-a-tent.html).

Randy

[Incahiker]

Nope, I have never had a headache like that before, it felt awful. But about 10 minutes after I was out of the hammock the headache was totally gone, and right after I got out of the hammock it was instant relief. I thought that I could have slept without a pillow since it was a hammock, but I was mistaken. Definitely should have used a pillow. That was actually the worst part about it.

Even if I did sleep ok, I still think I will sleep in a tent so that my dog is more comfortable, doesn't bark at everything she hears (if she sees it she goes nuts) and doesn't get eaten my the bugs.

[mudhead]

Have you ever had a headache similar to that before?

I have given myself a serious headache by trying to get an extra layer around my neck (scarf) under a heavy jacket. Is this what you are pointing at, laying odd in the hammock...

I had to try the scarf a second time to never forget.

[Flush2wice]

Got to the camping spot and set up the hammock. Sat by the fire for a while and drank some bourban, smoked a cigar and enjoyed nature. Finally was time for sleep.


at least it started out good

[Incahiker]

at least it started out good


Yes indeed, it started out real good. There were tall mountains rising up from the pasture in front of me, and a cool mountain stream about 20 yards from where I sat, it was really good. I had a nice fire going, the dog and I were sitting by the fire. The Maduro cigar I was smoking tasted particularly good, and the weather couldn't have been better Then it just flipped on me and the night was horrible!!

[Appalachian Tater]

Okay, well I'm glad the headache is just a hammock headache.

Besides, if humans were meant to sleep in hammocks or up in trees, we would have tails. I mean, still have tails. Visible tails. Still have visible tails.

[Odd Thomas]

Okay, well I'm glad the headache is just a hammock headache.

Besides, if humans were meant to sleep in hammocks or up in trees, we would have tails. I mean, still have tails. Visible tails. Still have visible tails.

Yea, if we were meant for that we'da been primates! :p

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Incahiker, I hope you find a good solution for yourself and your dog. Shaped tarps without floors tend to work well with dogs. As others note, the dog can go for a potty break without help, his claws won't damage a floor and you don't have to be as worried if he get muddy.

If you ever try a hammock again, try a top loader. I found them to be a lot more flexible in how and where you sleep within than the cocoon type (bugnet attached). You could easily make a tiny tent to hang off the ridgeline to keep your dog safe from bugs and unable to see the wildlife.

[Hoop]

If you get a Chrysalis tent it'd be a good thing if you are smallish too like your pup, they're kinda clausy.

[Incahiker]

I guess we will find out. Thats why I like ordering from REI, if it doesn't suit me, then I can just take it back.

I read that in those tents the key is sleeping diagonally, and thats how they are designed. If you sleep in it like normal, no one under 5'-6" would fit. I read many reviews of guys being 6'-2" sleeping in it. Being 5'-10" I thought I could at least give it a try. If it doesn't work out then I am taking it back to REI and getting a Tarp tent of some kind.

Oh ya, I just downgraded my comcast service to 768 Kbps cause I'm broke. To tell the truth, I can't tell just surfing the net, but I guess when I download something it will suck. Oh well, gotta roll with what you got.

[peter_pan]

How big is your dog? How big are you?

Smee at 200 and his springer spaniel at 35 sleep easily together in a Bear Mountain Bridge Hammock....With his No Sniveller as a top quilt there is even a head hole for his dog. Works great.

Pan

[hammock engineer]

Everyone has a bad experience or 3 when they are getting started in hammocking. This is why I think there are so many slightly used ones for sale. The ones that give it a few tries usually stick with it.

There is a big learning curve with hammocks. Give it some time and ask away with your questions.

[CBSSTony]

Hennessy claims, I believe, that you could set it up tent like. On the ground,but the door thing seems awkard. Maybe dog flip flops or sandals so it doesn't puncture the floor. ( Last sentence was a joke, maybe.) It does take some time to get used to a camping/enclosed hammock vs the big yard ones.

[Two Speed]

. . . Even if I did sleep ok, I still think I will sleep in a tent so that my dog is more comfortable, doesn't bark at everything she hears (if she sees it she goes nuts) and doesn't get eaten my the bugs.
Incahiker, I hope you find a good solution for yourself and your dog. Shaped tarps without floors tend to work well with dogs. . . Gonna second FD on this one. For argument's sake, if you get comfortable with your hammock set up how do you know your dog is warm enough? Not a huge issue during the summer, but believe me, dogs can get hypothermic in colder weather.

Next, you get all snugly in your hammock and the dog spots a skunk. How do you plan to head that off? Or your dog decides he doesn't like the look of another hiker, and takes off to do something about it. Gonna be able to get there in time to prevent that?

I hike with my mutt, but believe me, I know where he is at night. Barney's a great hiking dog, but he ain't supposed to be the brains in the outfit.

I would have looked at hammocks myself, but I believe that isn't an option for dog hikers. Can't be sure the mutt's warm, safe and not screwing with things he ought to leave alone.

[boarstone]

Oh no! We lost one.....!:(

[take-a-knee]

Oh no! We lost one.....!:(

That just leaves more good places for us to hang.

[generoll]

That just leaves more good places for us to hang.

Oh, so there's a shortage? :-?

[River Runner]

I got to bed around 11pm, and slept erratically until 3 am. This is when I woke up with the largest splitting headache I ever had, almost to the point of throwing up because it was so bad. It was because the tent fabric was so taught when laying on it that it was VERY uncomfortable for my head. Also, my head was always cocked at a weird angle because of the hammock, could never find a comfy position for my head.

Also, during the outing, I noticed that it was just as hard to find a Hammocking spot as it was to find a tent spot. Like where 2 trees were far enough apart without all kinds of crap going under it. I think that a tent/tarp is more versatile, especially sleeping where there are no trees, like on balds here in the south east.

Wondering if you were sleeping asymetrically as the hammock is designed? If not, that could make your head at an odd angle. Sometimes it takes a time or two to find the 'sweet spot'.

Also, I found experimenting with how high to hang the foot end and the head end helped. I always hang my foot end a bit higher, but if I get it too high it can give me a difficult night's sleep (and headache).

As for finding trees, sometimes it is harder in more established sites, where trees have been cleared out for tents & the only remaining ones are huge.

[Incahiker]

Yup, I slept Asym, I have set it up about 6 times in the backyard and took nice little catnaps in it, but for a full nights sleeping it messed me up. Also, I found that the hammock sunk a considerable bit after all night. I tied the figure 8 lashings correctly, and from what I understand it was the hammock stretching.

Even if hammocking turned out to give me decent sleep, I am still taking it back to REI because I want something that my dog will be protected in also. Looking at the seedhouse. I am getting the Chrysalis REI tent shortly, seems like it will fit me ok, but I don't know about my cool ,little, chow chow mix breed dog.