View Full Version : Finally bit the bullet
I've played with a few test hammocks I made from instructions at Risk's site but with the sudden onset of an unplanned back surgery this year, I decided to bite the bullet and bought a HH Expedition with the Snake Skins and the Super Shelter system.
I had the opportunity to try one out when I ran into a couple of guys that had them when I was camping last year.
I'm looking forward to "hanging out" in Texas this winter.
beakerman
09-07-2009, 20:59
well welcome to the ranks...the boy and I just spent the weekend hanging at lake neiderhoffer (SP?) in the Sam Houston NF. We packed in from the LST trail head #8
2Questions
09-07-2009, 21:05
I've played with a few test hammocks I made from instructions at Risk's site but with the sudden onset of an unplanned back surgery this year, I decided to bite the bullet and bought a HH Expedition with the Snake Skins and the Super Shelter system.
I had the opportunity to try one out when I ran into a couple of guys that had them when I was camping last year.
I'm looking forward to "hanging out" in Texas this winter.
Didn't know if you knew about our service or not, but if you desire the bugnetting to be out of your way, we install a custom zipper allowing you to stow the bugnet. Check us out at Hammockforums.net if interested.
Desert Reprobate
09-07-2009, 21:48
Highly Recommend the zipper mod. It makes the HH a lot more user friendly.
Highly Recommend the zipper mod. It makes the HH a lot more user friendly.Or a Warbonnet. Just sayin'. :rolleyes::D
I've played with a few test hammocks I made from instructions at Risk's site but with the sudden onset of an unplanned back surgery this year, I decided to bite the bullet and bought a HH Expedition with the Snake Skins and the Super Shelter system.
I had the opportunity to try one out when I ran into a couple of guys that had them when I was camping last year.
I'm looking forward to "hanging out" in Texas this winter.
If you haven't already discovered it, you'll want to check out www.hammockforums.net. There you'll learn all about the fabulous Warbonnet Blackbird. Also check out the thread about the Texas hang at Lake Stubblefield in November. Welcome!
I have one of these:
http://www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com/guardian-bug-net.html
That I put around a cheap nylon hammock when there are bugs.
Graywolf
09-08-2009, 01:02
Didn't realize how many are from Texas here. I hail from Irving, outside of Dallas.
I have been reading this forum, as I have been curious of the hammock thind, but just not yet sold. May have to do with my weight and the thought of crashing to the ground in the middle of the night, just not a pleasent thought.
All though I heard the Hammock is pretty rugged. Saw one set up and looked like a space ship or a cocoon.
Cannibal
09-08-2009, 11:50
I have been reading this forum, as I have been curious of the hammock thind, but just not yet sold. May have to do with my weight and the thought of crashing to the ground in the middle of the night, just not a pleasent thought.
All though I heard the Hammock is pretty rugged. Saw one set up and looked like a space ship or a cocoon.
Weight can be conquered. Can't get quite as low as a bivy sleeper, but I can beat most tenters in sleeping system weight.
The falling, well, that's just part of the fun. :D Actually, I've taken a spill twice and both times were my fault, not the hammock. Once I tied to something I thought was solid...it wasn't and it hurt really bad. Lesson learned. The other time was using some inferior hardware and overloading it with two people. The hardware failed, scared the poop out of me, then I dropped about 18" onto some nice soft grass. Didn't hurt, but did make me laugh.
If you haven't already discovered it, you'll want to check out www.hammockforums.net. There you'll learn all about the fabulous Warbonnet Blackbird. Also check out the thread about the Texas hang at Lake Stubblefield in November. Welcome!
Thanks! Lake stubblefield sounds interesting!
well welcome to the ranks...the boy and I just spent the weekend hanging at lake neiderhoffer (SP?) in the Sam Houston NF. We packed in from the LST trail head #8
Thanks!
I'm not familiar with Lake Neiderhoffer ..... I'll pull up some maps and take a look.
I've camped mainly along the LSHT, at the primo spot on Lake Conroe and up on 4 notch loop .... always looking for places the boy and I can "hang" up in the Sam Houston.
Weight can be conquered. Can't get quite as low as a bivy sleeper, but I can beat most tenters in sleeping system weight.
The falling, well, that's just part of the fun. :D Actually, I've taken a spill twice and both times were my fault, not the hammock. Once I tied to something I thought was solid...it wasn't and it hurt really bad. Lesson learned. The other time was using some inferior hardware and overloading it with two people. The hardware failed, scared the poop out of me, then I dropped about 18" onto some nice soft grass. Didn't hurt, but did make me laugh.
I've gotten weekend base weights down to 3 lbs sleeping on the ground, 5 is more comfortable, 6 is downright luxurious, except for sleeping, that is.
I'm figuring that I added a pound and a half into my 6 lb system, and 3 isn't easily obtainable, at least, not with the HH system at 3.5 lbs already.
Weight, however, is just a number once you're below 15 lbs of total packweight for the weekend. I really can't notice a difference between carrying 12 and 15. 12 lbs and 20 lbs I can notice a bit.
My goal is under 25 for 5 days. Under 15 for a Weekend. I can do that with the HH without a lot of effort or additional expense. In fact, the lightest things I've done are free, or almost free. Alcohol stove, Beercan pot, putting soap and stuff into micro containers, and, most importantly, leaving a bunch of stuff at home that I NEVER took out of the pack after the first time I used em.
If I can get a good nights sleep without limping in pain the next day, then a couple of pounds is a small price to pay, and even a couple of hundred bucks is cheaper than a face full of pain meds in the long run. I can't believe I fretted about the decision for so long until my paradigm shift.
Let the younger crowd sleep on the ground on hard foam pads. I'll dehydrate my food, pick up a couple of pounds there and leave the fry pan at the house.
Life's too short to wake up hurting.
Cannibal
09-08-2009, 12:44
I've gotten weekend base weights down to 3 lbs sleeping on the ground, 5 is more comfortable, 6 is downright luxurious, except for sleeping, that is.
What temp range does that cover? Including everything (hammock, suspension, tarp, top and bottom quilts, and stakes), my 3 season set-up is 3.5lbs. My winter set-up that has taken me below -14F is 5.24lbs including everything. I am wicked comfortable with both and don't make any real sacrifices. I could shave it further, but I don't see the point. Like you said, beyond a certain weight it really doesn't matter too much. Just to make it more obvious that hammocks can be a very lightweight alternative, I'm a fat kid. If I weighed about 30lbs less, I could shave even more weight from my hammock and still be comfortable.
Life's too short to wake up hurting.
Love it!
well welcome to the ranks...the boy and I just spent the weekend hanging at lake neiderhoffer (SP?) in the Sam Houston NF. We packed in from the LST trail head #8
I found it ... it's off 4 notch loop.
Did you hike in from the Trail head? How was the trip?
Graywolf
09-09-2009, 00:07
Hey guys I know this is a little off topic as this is the Hanger forum, but since you are talking about it, I have been thinking of doing a thru on the LSHT before I do an AT thru, as a shake down cruise. Since it is close. How is the trail? Last year a hiker had problems with a stranger in camp on her first night. Kinda scarry. She post it on hre journal on Trail Journals.
Any way, I am curious, How light is the Hammock anyway? Once you add all the accessories it seems like it can start putting on some weight. I checked one out at REI and the Hammock alone without all the accessories weighed in excess of 3.5#. Kinda made me want to look the other way.
Graywolf
highfisher
09-09-2009, 00:45
Graywolf, don't know much about HH either but I'm doing the LST in Oct and thinking about HH. also REI having their garage sale this weekend at plano store might see you there. highfisher
Cannibal
09-09-2009, 00:54
Any way, I am curious, How light is the Hammock anyway? Once you add all the accessories it seems like it can start putting on some weight. I checked one out at REI and the Hammock alone without all the accessories weighed in excess of 3.5#. Kinda made me want to look the other way.
Not really any more so than any other shelter. You need a sleeping bag or quilt for a tent. You also need a ground sheet and rain fly. Only real difference is a quilt under you instead of a pad, if you so choose.
One of my current favorite set-ups for 3 season use:
Warbonnet Traveler; single layer 1.7 w/webbing and ring buckle suspension: 19.8oz
OES MacCat SpinnUL Standard (first generation): 7.4oz
Warbonnet 3-Season Yeti Underquilt: 12oz
DIY Topquilt: 16oz
An extra 7.4oz gets you a bugnet from Warbonnet, but I don't generally include it in the pack.
So, 3.44lbs (no netting) that can take me into the 30s with no problem. Add a few ounces for tarp lines and a couple of ounces for four stakes; still bet it's under 4lbs. Best part is, I sleep goooooooooooooooooood. :D
<clip>Any way, I am curious, How light is the Hammock anyway? Once you add all the accessories it seems like it can start putting on some weight. I checked one out at REI and the Hammock alone without all the accessories weighed in excess of 3.5#. Kinda made me want to look the other way.
Graywolf
Graywolf: there are dozens of hammock manufacturers out there that have from extremely light to what most would consider very heavy products. The Hennessey Hammock Hyperlite Asym has integrated bug netting a tarp, and tree huggers, at 26 ozs.
http://hennessyhammock.com/comparisonchart.html
Graywolf
09-09-2009, 01:38
Graywolf: there are dozens of hammock manufacturers out there that have from extremely light to what most would consider very heavy products. The Hennessey Hammock Hyperlite Asym has integrated bug netting a tarp, and tree huggers, at 26 ozs.
http://hennessyhammock.com/comparisonchart.html
Now that sounds more like it.
Just trying to figure it all out.
when I had my tarp/tent squall, it weighed just over 1#, never needed a rainfly or ground sheet. I used my pack cover for that. And the stakes and cord were included in the weight.
When I saw that hammock at REI, I said to myself, ok. I have my base down to 8.8#, if I used the hammock instead of the tent, I will be over 11-12#. Not trying to disagree. I am trying to put it all together. The hammoack does seem to fit my uses here in Texas for short hikes, but I am still unsure about thru- hikes. Although I know several hikers have done it.
Graywolf
09-09-2009, 01:43
Graywolf, don't know much about HH either but I'm doing the LST in Oct and thinking about HH. also REI having their garage sale this weekend at plano store might see you there. highfisher
Hey Highfisher, Let me know how the trip goes, I wont be able to hit the trail till December 1. Still debating on doing a late fall hike in the AT or Pinhoti, but the LST is closer, I will make up my mind by then.
As for REI, I will be in Plano this weekend. I am going to the wood shop to make some NAF flutes then going to a NAF flute concert that evening in Plano. Never been to the Plano store, I usually go to the one off of 635, but with the sell, maybe I will try to make this one if time permits.
Graywolf
JaxHiker
09-09-2009, 17:14
2Q I really need to get my hammock to you for the mod. Would've been nice this past weekend to have a lounger.
Welcome Captn.
Down to about 20 or so with the current setup. My 3lb ground pounder list was only good down to 40, 5 lb down to 20.
What temp range does that cover? Including everything (hammock, suspension, tarp, top and bottom quilts, and stakes), my 3 season set-up is 3.5lbs. My winter set-up that has taken me below -14F is 5.24lbs including everything. I am wicked comfortable with both and don't make any real sacrifices. I could shave it further, but I don't see the point. Like you said, beyond a certain weight it really doesn't matter too much. Just to make it more obvious that hammocks can be a very lightweight alternative, I'm a fat kid. If I weighed about 30lbs less, I could shave even more weight from my hammock and still be comfortable.
Love it!
Just Jeff
09-09-2009, 20:27
My Big 4 total for a comfortable summer setup, including bug net, is 5.5 lbs. I could go a pound lighter if I gave up some comfort.
http://www.tothewoods.net/GearList.html
Here's a dated comparison of real-world hammock vs ground weights. Not "in theory" based on some numbers I looked up on the internet, but kits people posted on WB, HF and hikinghq that they actually use. I need to update it b/c a lot more gear has come out since I made this...cuben and SpinnTex, lighter top quilts, etc.
http://www.tothewoods.net/HammockGroundComparison.html
I think hammocks will generally come in a few ounces heavier than ground setups. But for that few ounces you get a full night's sleep, in comfort. More energy the next day will make your pack feel much lighter than those few ounces.
Listen to your back, not your scale. :D
Just Jeff
09-09-2009, 20:28
http://www.tothewoods.net/HammockGroundWeights.html
Correct link.
Warbonnet blackbird + whoppie slings = 28 oz, warbonnet yeti UQ = 12 oz, mac cat deluxe tarp in spinnaker = 10 oz, total hammock comfort weight = 50 oz
Warbonnet Blackbird 1.7 Double Layer - $160
Speer Winter Tarp - $110
Speer SnugFit Underquilt - $360
Sleeping in comfort - Priceless!
:banana
Graywolf
09-09-2009, 23:15
Ok guys, I am still doing my research. Thinking, but not yet sold. I went to the warbonnet website checked out the blackbird. Looks pretty cool actually, but it dosn't come with a tarp to keep the rain off. Or at least he didn't show it in the video. So what about the weather?? I am not talking only cold, but also rain. So much to consider!!!
Just Jeff
09-10-2009, 08:05
He sells the Warbonnet Superfly, with some options like size and doors. You can also get tarps from several other hammock gear makers, like www.outdoorequipmentsupplier.com (http://www.outdoorequipmentsupplier.com), www.jacksrbetter.com (http://www.jacksrbetter.com), www.speerhammocks.com (http://www.speerhammocks.com), etc. Or you could post on www.hammockforums.net (http://www.hammockforums.net) (sister site to WB owned by attroll) and probably get a used one for pretty cheap.
srestrepo
09-17-2009, 14:37
just wanted to say that having been a tenter my whole life, it was difficult for me to make the switch particularly at issue is my weight. i weigh just over 310 pounds. i bought myself a warbonnet blackbird. wont look back thats for sure... i actually tripped into that hammock and it didn't break around me. so if weight is aconcern it doesn't weigh anything and it will hold a heap of weight... super comfy also!