Aimed at the beginner hammockers...

Hammock Packing list for the beggining hammocker

by Me & U
Last edited 8 April 2005

Lots of hammock styles out there! Hennesy's , Speer's, Jungle hammocks, both civilian and military, Byer's, and more I'm sure of it.

We used Byer Backpacker Hammocks for our thru hike in '03. Since then we've custom made our hammocks using a spin off of the Speer method.

Basically, a nylon rectangle with knots tied at both ends. A webbing on both ends for tying off to trees, or whatever, and an 8x10 silnylon tarp set up with two stakes in a diamond shape.

Our sleeping bags are also a spin off from Speer. Two Army poncho liners sewn together, velcro along the long edges to form a cylinder when connected, and draw strings at either end to form the caccoon.

The hammocks also have velcro along the edges to attach our bug nets, when needed.

The insulation factor in a hammock is different from that in a tent. In colder weather, you need to be a little more creative than simply jumping into a sleeping bag. In a bag, on the ground, you tend to have pressure points along the bony prominences like hips, shoulder blades, ect... you toss and turn, even if dead to the world, and this keeps the insulation in your bag fluffed, providing the warmth that your bag is rated to.

In a hammock, there's no ground. No ground, no pressure points. No pressure points, no tossing and turning... you get the idea.

A sleeping bag in a hammock works, but has it's limitations as far as warmth, expecially on your back. A better approach might be a caccoon style bag. This provides an envelope of warmth that surrounds your body and won't suffer the flattening effect underneath you as you sleep peacefully. It also provides a multitude of options to play with in regard to staying warm. For example, in colder weather, I place a thin bed mat under my hammock, on top of the inside of my caccoon. This gives my system another layer from the outside. I then place my hiking clothing on top of the matt. Another layer. I then open the draw strings a bit to provide some ventalation, and place my head tube into the mix and I'm good to go! I also use a Thermo Lite Reactor from Sea to Summit if it's real cold. This is a bag liner thats made of Thermo Lite by Dupont. I simply use this as a sleeping bag inside my hammock.

Many thanks go to Ed Speer for providing the public with ideas he's shared in the arena of hammock camping. Those who have not read his book should. That being said, I'd like to add my idea, which I've mentioned, the head tube.
This is a light weight fleece bag with velcro on one end. The shape is that of your skull, chin to crown. Take a piece of string and wrap it around your head as if to wear a birthday hat. That is the measurement for the bag. The velcro attaches to the velcro on the caccoon providing an opening. While you lie in your hammock, install the tube above your head and lie back, then slip the fleece over your head. The idea here is that when your lying down, your looking straight up through the opening. Your breath exits through this opening and the condensation goes with it. On a cold hike recently I was able to give it a good test. I was chilled to the bone! I flipped on my lamp and noticed my breath covering my body. I put the tube in place and instantly felt warmer!! It works like a charm, takes some getting used to, and multifunctions as a pillow when you don't need it.

The following is a list of my gear for a mild weather hike:

*Pack:
Mountain Smith Phantom pack

* Living room/ bedroom:
Tarp
Hammock
Poncho Liner
Bug net
Head tube
2- stakes
beanie hat/light wt gloves

*Kitchen:
2- 1L soda bottles
1-1L water bag
esbit stove and fuel (both in a gatorade container)
windscreen
matches
MSR Kettle
12 oz Nalgene
spork
spice kit
food
bear bag rope

*Clothing:
1- long sleeve synthetic shirt
1- pair compressoin tights (for sleeping)
2- pair socks (one a liner)
Light wt soft shell top

*Essentials:
2 oz first aid kit
tooth brush/listerine pocket packs
2- steel backed razor blades
sun glasses
1/2 oz headlamp w/spare coin cell batteries
1 oz bottle of bleach
camera ("ME" carries it)
8 oz listerine bottle (flask)
journal/pen


Round about 10 lbs base gear.

Give or take 1 1/2- 1 3/4 lbs food per day.
Gormet style cooking in a kettle, a meal example: a pasta dish like mac n cheese with chunk cheese, some veggies, and spice, an oriental soup with tofu, (pour your pasta water into the 12 oz nalgene) (I use the tofu to clean my kettle of the cheese) crackers, some sort of meat stick or the like, and a desert shake or cookies. A night cap and occasionally a rum soaked apricot or two. (for the pain)

When I set up my hammock I consider cooking. I set it low enough to be able to sit and cook at the same time. My tarp is high enough to be free of the heat, and I usually have the East side propped up for the sunrise. My gear is organized such that I pack three compartments, livingroom/bedroom, clothing, and kitchen. My essentials go in the top of my pack. Packing only takes a few minutes this way and always provides an effecient set up. I pack my tarp in a stuff pouch on the outside of my bag with the stakes. This allows for a dry set up in the rain.

Our favorite hammock sites are those away from others. We like to be way off the beaten path and save time for searching out a cool site that no one will bother us in. In this sense we're "solo hikers". I enjoy sleeping near rocks and usually seek out a crag or spot where I can strap up to a tree on one side and a rock on the other. We also set up using three trees in an "L" shape and the resulting camp site is pretty cool with two diamond shaped tarps set up with trekking poles facing the East for the sunrise.

Consider using trees at least 4 inches thick or bigger. With my hammock size I use 5 paces between tieoff points, and always look for overhanging limbs or things that may fall in the night. We don't usually have fires (2 on our thru hike) but the "L" setup is perfect for it, a fire right in the center of us so we can both sit and enjoy.

My hope here is to help our fellow new hammockers with ideas on set ups, simple light loads to save money in the long run, and great ways to cook. There's nothing like a biscotti with your hot mocha/b-fast drink in your hammock while you sit in comfort and watch the sun rise with your honey. Or alone for that matter!



sincerely,

"U"