Some (maybe dumb) first questions...

[CANtucky]

Hi! I'm planning a SOBO thru for '10 and just started reading about hammock camping. It sounds like the most comfortable and possibly lightest alternative and I'm really excited about this. I've got three basic questions:

1: Can you really hammock from end-end or will there be places where you cannot and have to improvise?

2: Do you use a sleeping bag in the hammock?

3: Is an "underquilt" meant to go underneath you but inside the hammock, or is it something that attatches to the outside of the hammock?

Like I said I JUST got started reading and some of the termonology is completely new to me!

Thanks in advance. ;)

[Tinker]

1) It's been done, though most hammockers who hike any distance will carry a small pad for sleeping on the ground if they decide to do so (say, on a bald, in perfect weather).
2) Most hammockers do. I use mine around my hammock with a bug net around both the hammock and sleeping bag in warmer weather.
3) Underneath, outside. I don't use one and haven't needed one down to 5 degree weather because of my setup (look at the Speer hammock Peapod which gave me the idea to set up the way I do).

[Dogwood]

1 yes

2 yes

3 Underneath Outside

Learn to set-up your hammock on the ground as a tent shelter if no hanging opportunities exist.

[Cannibal]

Yep
If you want to
Outside

You need to come over to Hammock Forums (http://www.hammockforums.net/), or as it's known around here, the dark side. The kool-aid is great and you'll get some very good information about hammocks.

[winger]

To answer the question about a sleeping bag:
I switched to an "over" quilt for convenience, as I found it just more convenient entering and exiting the hammock and the JRB quilt I purchased is lighter for its temp rating than most sleeping bags of similar temp rating. I bought the JRB 3 season system which included the Nest (under quilt), the No Sniveller overquilt and the warmer ORM, also used as an overquilt. That said, I think you'd be fine with your sleeping bag opened to be used as an over quilt inside the hammock.
I've not yet had to "go to ground" but I'm sure the day will come, but I don't carry a pad, maybe I should for that reason and it does add extra warmth if used as an underpad for the hammock.

[Deadeye]

1. yes, unless there are no trees, in which case you're either above tree line and shouldn't be camping, or you've chosen to spend a beautiful night under the stars on a bald or open field, and you have a tarp if rain's a possibility

2. I use my sleeping bag in my hammock, just use it as a quilt (which is usually the way I sleep on the ground as well), no extra cost, no change in gear for hanging or sleeping on ground

3. underquilt goes outside, under. I use my regular self-inflating pad or big agnes instead of an underquilt, for the same reason as noted above, i.e. no extra cost or extra gear, it's flexible and works for hanging or sleeping on ground or in shelter

[CANtucky]

1)
2) Most hammockers do. I use mine around my hammock with a bug net around both the hammock and sleeping bag in warmer weather.
3) Underneath, outside. I don't use one and haven't needed one down to 5 degree weather because of my setup (look at the Speer hammock Peapod which gave me the idea to set up the way I do).


I took a look at that and it seems like the cosiest set up. Thanks for all the info, everyone!

[Doctari]

For way more info than you can possibly imagine, come over to whiteBlaze sister site: hammockfourms.net.

I say this because there is a bit of a learning curve to hammocking & HF can help ease the transition "Out of the dust".

[Ox97GaMe]

KanTucky, There is no question that is dumb when you are a newbie. A lot of folks have learned the lessons first hand, in the woods, sometimes in less than favorable conditions.

The one thing I would recommend you do though is to get advice from more than one source. This is the internet, and although most of the folks on WB or HH or HF are pretty reliable resources, there is the occassional jerk that gets on and gets their thrills by playing with newbies and provide incorrect information. Reading through the posts, and experimenting with the hammock in your back yard, you will soon discover who the experts are here and who are 'wolves in sheeps clothing'.

Enjoy your hammock hanging experience. Good luck on your thru attempt. Hope to see you out there next year.

[Cannibal]

The one thing I would recommend you do though is to get advice from more than one source. This is the internet, and although most of the folks on WB or HH or HF are pretty reliable resources, there is the occassional jerk that gets on and gets their thrills by playing with newbies and provide incorrect information. Reading through the posts, and experimenting with the hammock in your back yard, you will soon discover who the experts are here and who are 'wolves in sheeps clothing'.
Always good advice to get multiple opinions, but nobody on HF is going to 'play with a newbie'. Hammocks can put a person in danger of injury, not a hanger out there that would do that on purpose.

On other boards that are not dedicated to hammocks, I whole heartily agree! :D