View Full Version : First hammock experience....
Ok, so off I went this afternoon with the new WBBB hammock, tarp and other assorted accessories necessary to put everything up.
The tarp is where my learning curve is going to be. Looking at everyone's pictures makes it look a lot easier than it actually turned out to be. I wasn't able to get that good, tight look most of you have.....
I'm pretty sure I got the hammock up right - I followed the instructions and when finished it turned out about the same as the one in the setup video.
However, even with the sides stated out it was still kind of annoying to have all the extra fabric so close to my head - it was kinda claustrophobic. Is that how it is or do I have something wrong?
Either way, it's definitely more comfortable than sleeping on the ground - that much is apparent right away.
What I need to do is go hiking with someone who hammocks. :)
10-K, so glad you're giving it a try! The reason there is another forum dedicated to hammocking is that the learning curve is... well, never ending... but they are so wonderful that "continuing ed" is just continuing fun. Most hammockers seem to end up with a closet full of related equipment as they wonder along that learning curve. I think you started out with one of the best -- if not the best -- hammocks around. you might also buy a simple gathered-end bug-netless hammock to play with, too. they are really cheap and light, and when bugs aren't an issue they are so simple that they can fun, too... and you already have a tarp!
10-K, so glad you're giving it a try! The reason there is another forum dedicated to hammocking is that the learning curve is... well, never ending... but they are so wonderful that "continuing ed" is just continuing fun. Most hammockers seem to end up with a closet full of related equipment as they wonder along that learning curve. I think you started out with one of the best -- if not the best -- hammocks around. you might also buy a simple gathered-end bug-netless hammock to play with, too. they are really cheap and light, and when bugs aren't an issue they are so simple that they can fun, too... and you already have a tarp!
What he said.
Cannibal
01-27-2010, 17:51
However, even with the sides stated out it was still kind of annoying to have all the extra fabric so close to my head - it was kinda claustrophobic. Is that how it is or do I have something wrong?
Silly question, please take no offense.
Are you laying on the diagonal, or straight down the hammock's center line? I've had the issue you're talking about with other hammocks, but never in any of my Blackbirds. You can get your head pretty far over to the left in a Blackbird, leaving only netting next to your head. Your right shoulder should be holding the fabric on your right fairly far away from your head. Not being diagonal enough is the only thing I can figure that would cause the fabric to be real close to your head in the Blackbirds.
Just thinking out loud.
Silly question, please take no offense.
Are you laying on the diagonal, or straight down the hammock's center line? I've had the issue you're talking about with other hammocks, but never in any of my Blackbirds. You can get your head pretty far over to the left in a Blackbird, leaving only netting next to your head. Your right shoulder should be holding the fabric on your right fairly far away from your head. Not being diagonal enough is the only thing I can figure that would cause the fabric to be real close to your head in the Blackbirds.
Just thinking out loud.
My upper body is on the left side of the hammock and my right side (basically from my waist down) is on the right side with my feet in the footbox.
I've watched the setup video several times and my setup is correct and when he demos laying in the hammock that's pretty much what I experience too.
I guess it's just a difference between a hammock and a tent. There just seems to be a lot of extra fabric....
Ox97GaMe
01-27-2010, 18:13
K-10, If you want to plan a hiking trip to the Smokies or the Asheville area, I would be happy to go out with you and hang hammocks. Just give me a couple weeks notice. Im ready for warmer weather and the opportunity to get in some more hang time. :)
K-10, If you want to plan a hiking trip to the Smokies or the Asheville area, I would be happy to go out with you and hang hammocks. Just give me a couple weeks notice. Im ready for warmer weather and the opportunity to get in some more hang time. :)
That would be great, thanks for the offer.
I'm going to hike the Foothills Trail March 6th - how does that work for you? I'm semi-flexible on the dates but I have to be back in Wilmington by March 12th.
Other than that, I've got a small cabin an hour north of Asheville that's 3 miles from the AT at Devil's Fork Gap (20 minutes from Erwin) and I can shoot up there most any weekend.
climber2377
01-31-2010, 18:35
somewhere i read that the screws used for putting up rain gutters on the house make good tent stakes. i am planning to try them out when i get my new tarp.
somewhere i read that the screws used for putting up rain gutters on the house make good tent stakes. i am planning to try them out when i get my new tarp.
If you're referring to gutter nails, they're pretty soft and bend easily. For a tarp of any size you need holding power which means that round stakes aren't necessarily the best (they're best in rocky soil where the rocks actually wedge the stake in). My recommendation would be for MSR Groundhog stakes (or similar). They hold well in loose soil and aren't so thick that they can't be used in most rocky soils as well.
I just had an ah-ha moment.... ... It would have worked better had I used the 10' section for the ridgeline and the 12' section of the tarp for the sides.
I guess the thing about tarps is that you have to be creative and be able to think outside the box a bit - a bit more challenging than pitching a tent. I *will* figure it out and get reasonably good at it before it's all said and done.
Bags4266
01-31-2010, 19:20
10-k, looking forward to some posts w/ your new hammock. Hopefully they will be as funny as your last trip to NJ, NY was in the freezing rain. They were some hilarious posts! I just purchased a Claytor Jungle myself. I was going to get the WBBB and Speer winter tarp but that would be a 300.00 layout. My setup was $150. this way if I don't like hanging the extra weight and bulk it wouldn't hurt so bad in the wallet. Enjoy!
take-a-knee
01-31-2010, 23:13
If you're referring to gutter nails, they're pretty soft and bend easily. For a tarp of any size you need holding power which means that round stakes aren't necessarily the best (they're best in rocky soil where the rocks actually wedge the stake in). My recommendation would be for MSR Groundhog stakes (or similar). They hold well in loose soil and aren't so thick that they can't be used in most rocky soils as well.
I agree, gutter nails suck as tent stakes, MSR Groundhogs rock.
Just Jeff
02-01-2010, 00:45
Another vote for Groundhogs. I have some gutter nails but don't even take them anymore. They work ok in some soils but for a few grams more I get much better holding power, much stronger stakes, etc. Well worth it, IMO.
HikerRanky
02-01-2010, 10:26
Have tried the gutter stakes, tried Kelty titanium stakes and the MSR Groundhogs. Gutter stakes bend WAAY too easy, the Kelty's were slightly better but in hard ground they bent as well, but the Groundhogs are GREAT!!!
Randy
srestrepo
02-05-2010, 19:10
i keep bending groundhogs... i just get mad and shove them in the ground... i just keep buying them... oh well.
sasquatch2014
02-05-2010, 19:17
You just don't know your own strength.
srestrepo
02-05-2010, 19:22
i guess not sasquatch... i'm like lenny from "of mice and men"... i just touch stuff and kill it...