Getting Started

[bkwentz]

I have been shopping for a tent for an upcoming 100 mile section hike. The more I look the more interested I become in hammocks.

My first concern stems largely from my living in Kansas all my life. I have heard rumors of trees being clustered together, yet have never seen this phenomenon. Will I have any trouble using one between boiling springs pa and Harpers Ferry? It seems like it shouldnt be a problem, but I want to be doubly sure that my tent bound hiking friend and myself will be able to camp in the same area without any difficulty.

Also, how much practice is setting one up going to take?

Third, at 6'4" and 215 lbs, do i really need to go to the explorer line of hennessys or will the regular ones fit me?

[tekape]

Try hammockforums.net if you want more detailed responses. I can't speak to any of the questions you asked except that once you've set your hammock up a couple of times, you'll have it down. They're pretty easy to get put together.

[Schuetzen]

You might want to look at the Warbonnet Blackbird very nice and your size will not be a problem.

[solstice]

+1 for the Warbonnet Blackbird, however unless you are going to purchase a double-layer version (and you may want to look into it), you may be out of luck for your end-of-the-month hike. warbonnetoutdoors.com

[Old Grouse]

Also check out Jacks R Better. They're having a Fathers Day sale.

[TinaLouise]

Also, how much practice is setting one up going to take?

Third, at 6'4" and 215 lbs, do i really need to go to the explorer line of hennessys or will the regular ones fit me?

Personally, I'd say that the more you practice the better you get at putting it up. I've been hammocking for a while now and if I see a rain cloud developing over my house, I run and get my hammock to test my setting up abilities "in the rain"!! Because... guess what, I set up in a different order in the rain from in the sun. Also test setting up "in the dark"!!!
About your size... I have a reg sized Clark hammock. For me, I've got loads of room inside. My husband tried my hammock... he's your size (yep we look like mutt and jeff- 6'4" husband and me 5') and he's very cramped inside. I'd say for anyone 6foot or over, if a company offeres a larger hammock, get it!!! That's usually the reason why they're offering that larger size.

[bigcranky]

Yes, there are places in this world with more than one tree. Kansas just happens not to be one of them.... :)

Weight-wise, you can get away with the Hennessy UL Backpacker asym, but for your height you will really want the Explorer. The extra length made a big difference for me. (I have used both.)

The Hennessy is pretty easy to set up, though of course practice helps. If you can practice before your hike, that's a good idea.

You can pimp your hammock in all sorts of ways. The one thing that I found made the biggest difference was to separate the tarp from the hammock, so it can be set up first and then the hammock hung underneath it. While you can do this with the stock HH tarp (all you need is some extra parachute cord), I bought a Maccat Deluxe tarp for the added coverage. If you plan to go that route, you may be able to delete the stock HH tarp from your order and save a couple of bucks.

[bryro]

With my Hennessy, I ordered a second set of snake skins so I can set up the rain fly independently. Unlike a tent, when taking down your hammock you're not rolling it up in mud. With it still suspended, you form an "O" with your thumb and fore finger and start from the tree end moving to the middle scrunching it up and pulling the snake skin over as you go. Repeat the process from the other direction, meet in the middle and overlap the skins - very fast and easy. Same with the rain fly. When breaking camp, I allways tie the tree-hugging straps to the hammock's ridgeline to be sure I don't leave them behind.
Finding the right two trees can sometimes be challenging - sometimes you're forced to locate away from your tenting friends, shelter and mate.
There's nothing like a good night's sleep - and for me, sleeping on the ground is nothing like a good night's sleep. I'm still looking for thru-hiker's reports on the practicality of the hammock.

[bryro]

With my Hennessy, I ordered a second set of snake skins so I can set up the rain fly independently. Unlike a tent, when taking down your hammock you're not rolling it up in mud. With it still suspended, you form an "O" with your thumb and fore finger and start from the tree end moving to the middle scrunching it up and pulling the snake skin over as you go. Repeat the process from the other direction, meet in the middle and overlap the skins - very fast and easy. Same with the rain fly. When breaking camp, I allways tie the tree-hugging straps to the hammock's ridgeline to be sure I don't leave them behind.
Finding the right two trees can sometimes be challenging - sometimes you're forced to locate away from your tenting friends, shelter and mate.
There's nothing like a good night's sleep - and for me, sleeping on the ground is nothing like a good night's sleep. I'm still looking for thru-hiker's reports on the practicality of the hammock.

[couscous]

There's nothing like a good night's sleep - and for me, sleeping on the ground is nothing like a good night's sleep. I'm still looking for thru-hiker's reports on the practicality of the hammock.

Agreed, the ground/shelters seem to get harder as I get older. ~ "Restless Legs" is carrying a Hennessy Deep Jungle for his thru hike this year and I'm sure there are others. A few thunderstorms have persuaded him to use the shelters, but the bugs/mice/good night's sleep usually have him in his hammock. ~ The bottom-loaders like the Hennessy Ultralite Backpacker A-Sym & Explorer Ultralite A-Sym take some getting used to, so my sons prefer top-loaders. ~ hammockforums.net has lots of DIY examples if you don't mind buying the materials and doing some sewing.

[rockerZ71]

I am about your size and can tell you that the Claytor mosquito hammock will fit you if you are interested in that one

www.mosquitohammock.com

[coyote13]

I am 6'2" and 300# and was thinking of getting the ENO double nest for my SNP hike.
Any thoughts?

[bundy71]

I am 6'2" and 300# and was thinking of getting the ENO double nest for my SNP hike.
Any thoughts?
Coyote13, I have an ENO double nest, I have used it camping with boy scouts, and I definitely prefer sleeping in the hammock over the tent. I am 6'4" 330#, so the double nest will no doubt hold you. I use a regular 10' x 8' tarp for my cover, so far so good. I also bought the slap straps, makes set up a breeze. I have plenty of room in the double nest. I hope this helps, if you any other questions, ask away!:)

[gunner76]

If there are bugs out, you will need a bug net for the hammock unless it is built in like my Warbonnet Blackbird.

[travelgnome88]

I used to use a ENO hammock. at first I loved it but only in ideal conditions. the rain fly is not long enough just being as long as the hammock it self. thus itll keep mild showers at bay but riding out a storm is another. when the trees started to sway my hammock riped in two and the rain fly departed me with 6 stakes in the earth and tied to the trees. and despite others advice i could ever deal with "the cold spot" on my back. but for clear weather you cant beat the comfort

[Raul Perez]

Take a look at shugs videos on youtube.

I also have a bunch of videos showing how I got my pack weight with a hammock down to 10lbs base weight and I did some reviews on the hennessey and the blackbird hammock in a head to head comparison.