Like to get some feedback on camping hammocks, like Hennesey. I hit up Jeffman thinking he was the guru, but he says it's Frank. Frank I almost emailed you straight up but thought I'd post up here in case there are others who use 'em.
It seems like such a great idea vs a tent.. but doesn't seem to be catching on. The folks I know who are backpackers carry little tents or just sleep on the ground. I HATE sleeping on the ground.. thermarest, whatever, I hate it. And it's a lot of crap to bring along. Still never sleep worth a shit and can't wait for daylight so I can get the hell up. But I want to start doing some more camping and remembered seeing one at Boone last year. Been looking online at 'em but would like some first hand experience.
Anyway.. let me know what you think. (popcorn)
I had two hammocks in Boone last year ..... my personal TQ/ZQ modified hennessy expedition and my brother's warbonnet blackbird so Jeffman could try them out to see which one he liked best...... he wound up going with the blackbird and getting a left hand version so the entrance would match the sleeping bag he already had.
I have been hammock camping since 2005 and would NEVER go back to sleeping on the ground again.
the Hennessy is a nice hammock but their quality seems to be dropping as well as their prices going up.
there seems to be little comparison to the warbonnet blackbird for gettting a good nights sleep and value for the money.
the BB also comes in a double layer version which makes insulating the Hammock a lot easier via a sleeping pad or a space blanket between the layers..... if hanging in the mtns i highly recommend the double layer version.
http://warbonnetoutdoors.com/blackbirds.php (http://warbonnetoutdoors.com/blackbirds.php) MADE IN THE USA!
lots of information can be found here as well. Check out Shug's videos on youtube also.
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/? (http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/?)
KOokaloo!
Thanks Frank. Glad I asked, the warbonnet hammocks hadn't even crossed my radar. The more I read the more that sounds like the way to go.
you wont be disappointed in the warbonnet black bird..... if i didnt already have a very nice hennessy i would own one myself.
Brandon (the dude who makes the blackbird) is also working on a bridge style hammock but no set ETA.... that will probably be my next hammock purchase.
Once you have experienced sleeping in the "new" hammock you will be looking forward to the next chance you get to use it.... even at home! :good2:
Wow, never heard of this before, but definitely seems interesting.
Has anybody ever tried sleeping two persons in a hammock?
Seems like it might be a better option to go with two seperate hammocks, or are there special ones out there?
Quote from: WhiteBeard on April 16, 2012, 04:59:51 AM
Wow, never heard of this before, but definitely seems interesting.
Has anybody ever tried sleeping two persons in a hammock?
Seems like it might be a better option to go with two seperate hammocks, or are there special ones out there?
klavdy has until he heard frank carries a .45 cal kimber.
Quote from: WhiteBeard on April 16, 2012, 04:59:51 AM
Wow, never heard of this before, but definitely seems interesting.
Has anybody ever tried sleeping two persons in a hammock?
Seems like it might be a better option to go with two seperate hammocks, or are there special ones out there?
Not enough room for two people in a asym hammock but they pack small so carrying two hammocks instead of one tent is no big deal.
KOokaloo!
Quote from: mst3kguy on April 16, 2012, 06:33:04 AM
klavdy has until he heard frank carries a .45 cal kimber.
this is true.... i will never be a bear taco!
KOokaloo!
Well I backed off the Warbonnet. By all accounts it's the one to have. But the 1.7 double with straps, shipping it was going to wind up $200+. Went with this one from Amazon, Grand trunk skeeter beeter pro. $55 to my door. Figure if I like it - upgrade to the blackbird later and keep this one for spare/loaner.
But I gotta say, it's pretty durn nice. Been hanging in it for an hour or so half snoozing. I could absolutely sleep all night in it.
:i_am_so_happy:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-udO7ySRAqSU/T5chjdttb6I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/9ClTTS6j8jM/s640/0424121730.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rQvklM6GiSo/T5chjTBcofI/AAAAAAAAAjM/3uDZWGZWEf0/s640/0424121729.jpg)
is that an asym hammock where you can sleep diag. to the ridgeline and lay mostly flat or is it a straight on banana style hammock?
either way its still better than laying on the ground.
KOokaloo!
I don't know. But if you lay slightly crossways you are much flatter. Not totally straight out but not bad. The thing is big and supposedly holds 400#.
Quote from: racerman_27410 on April 15, 2012, 09:35:03 PM
Brandon (the dude who makes the blackbird) is also working on a bridge style hammock but no set ETA.... that will probably be my next hammock purchase.
Just saw that the bridge style "Ridgerunner" hammock has been released by Warbonnet...
Looks cool!
From what I understand, the idea there is that you can lay quite flat in the middle of it, instead of slightly curved as in the Blackbird?
(http://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=243)
http://warbonnetoutdoors.com/ridgerunner.php (http://warbonnetoutdoors.com/ridgerunner.php)
The only drawback I can see is having to carry those sticks along.
they look awesome, but I think ill stick with my swag :good2:
Danny,
I've got a ridge runner on the way.... hopefully it will be here in time for me to bring to Tellico so you can check it out.
the support poles break down and i believe they will fit in my sidecases ok. :good2:
if you like i can bring my brothers blackbird and my Hennessy also for you to try out.
The good stuff costs extra for a reason..... Its worth it!
I hate sleeping on the ground too.... i just broke it down to how many nights in a hotel would it take to pay for a good hammock and the math made sense to me as a good nights sleep outdoors and waking up pain free is almost priceless! :biggrin:
you can also pick up deals on used hammocks in the for sale section here.....
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/? (http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/?)
KOokaloo!
Frank
PS when are you leaving for tellico?
This for me or is Whitebeard a Danny too?
If me, sure bring 'em on, I'd like to check out your fancy hammocks. Bringing mine but may or may not sleep in it.. depends on weather and if there's a place to hang it.
I'm either taking off for TPTN Wed mid afternoon and getting down about midnight, or leaving first thing Thurs morning and getting there around 3.
haven't spoken to Calvin or Eric yet, do you know if either of them are coming?
Quote from: racerman_27410 on September 14, 2012, 10:12:42 AM
the support poles break down and i believe they will fit in my sidecases ok.
Great!
Keep us updated! :good2:
/Nat
Yeah..........I`d like to try one. My first thought was "why are they so popular over there and not here in camping heaven Aus". (never even seen one!)
I like to Roll over now and then -wouldn`t that be kinda difficult? I guess I`d be worried the rope might break - ouch!.. (+It`d have ta be pretty long on the Nullabor).
Our bear is far more dangerous than yours so I`m guessing the design has nothing to do with the wilderness. (popcorn)
My tent, accommodation, gas cooker, kitchen, Utensils, Cosmetics & lavatory weighs less than 4kg and includes air bed with feathered downe internals.
(Here`s a pic of all of them Incl my tour bus)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/3/630_14_09_12_12_34_55.jpeg)
nice set up mate, best tour bus ever invented , , my swag is more like a tent, has 3 poles to hold , it up all inclosed , even has mozzy netting , , no bears down here so camping under trees is ok, the stoned buggers won't fall out, , but possums on the other hand :wacko3:
Is that a DR under that cover? :good2:
that's pretty light setup. not sure you could shave much off with the hammock. last trip I weighed my setup at about 7.5 lbs. = 3.4 kgs. I could save another pound with a good tarp. This cheap poly one is bulky/heavy.
I made a alcohol stove out of a cat food tin - like this one :
http://jwbasecamp.com/Articles/SuperCat/HTML/Super_Cat7.htm (http://jwbasecamp.com/Articles/SuperCat/HTML/Super_Cat7.htm)
Thing is great, weighs next to nothing. Two little pots - one doubles as a mug and a rolled up piece of metal flashing for wind break. Very light setup and works like a champ. Not only was it free and light weight, I can boil water just about as fast as an expensive Jetboil setup which also weighs A LOT more.
here's a camp site from last month. No bears, but coyotes galore. could here 'em howling, sounded close.. :shok:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bv2VWm3LyZc/UFObL6QAslI/AAAAAAAAAqo/sGrCg3-ut4Y/s640/DSC02112.JPG)
Quote from: fj11.5 on September 14, 2012, 04:24:15 PM
nice set up mate, best tour bus ever invented , , my swag is more like a tent, has 3 poles to hold , it up all inclosed , even has mozzy netting , , no bears down here so camping under trees is ok, the stoned buggers won't fall out, , but possums on the other hand :wacko3:
mateeeeee drop bears in oz are hugely dangerous and account for numerous attacks on blond large breasted Swedish female backpackers :lol:
true mate , very true, , just no koalas down here , the devils ate them :shok:
Quote from: fj11.5 on September 14, 2012, 05:06:27 PM
true mate , very true, , just no koalas down here , the devils ate them :shok:
thank goodness I live in Sydney, I would really miss our regular Koala pie dinner on a Sunday night :nyam2:
but back on track I prefer a tarp ,as the swag or hammock is just too much weight.
your not wrong there, havnt weighed the thing , but think ten kg or more would be close , a tarp would be great to cover the lot including effie
i dont care so much about the weight as i do a good nights sleep and pack-ability. My hennessy hammock packs up less than the size of a football (american football) and with the whoopie slings replacing the ropes i wont ever have to worry about them breaking.
here is a little primer on hammock camping
Hammock Hangin' How-To PART 1... Essentials For Noobs Part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7NZVqpBUV0#)
not hard to find trees to hang from here in the eastern parts of the USA
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/Racerman27410/Solo%20Camping/GWNAtionalForest001-Copy-Copy.jpg)
the stove and fuel all pack up inside the 1 liter pot and everything fits inside my two sidecases including the bubo poles that support the "porch" side of my tarp which is a 12x12 kelty and my top shelf folding table.
In case of bad weather its very nice to be able to setup the tarp (using a ridgeline) making a good shelter before getting my bedding and dry goods out. Also a nice place to pack everything up on a wet rainy morning ( waking up dry is good even with water streaming under your hammock)
after i am geared up and ready to go i just take down the tarp and ridegline, pack them in a waterproof bishop bag and am on my way..... never getting me or my sleeping gear wet is a good thing.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/Racerman27410/Solo%20Camping/GWNAtionalForest016-Copy.jpg)
i wont ever go back to ground again..... thats where bugs and snakes and fire ants and scorpions and everything else lives.
not to mention the ground is hard and uncomfortable!
KOokaloo!
OK I am with you until I see the table, I realise you said its a folding one but where do you put that on the FJ ?
I like your camping style, a man of excellent taste :good2:
Quote from: FJSpringy on September 14, 2012, 07:43:59 PM
OK I am with you until I see the table, I realise you said its a folding one but where do you put that on the FJ ?
I like your camping style, a man of excellent taste :good2:
the table is/was made by GCI outdoors and its called the top shelf table.... its 19" high x 18" square and all folded up it measures 19" long x 6" wide x 4" high....the package lays perfectly flat right in the bottom of my hepco becker junior 40 hard bag.
http://www.rei.com/product/709074/gci-outdoor-top-shelf-roll-top-table (http://www.rei.com/product/709074/gci-outdoor-top-shelf-roll-top-table)
unfortunately they quit making them... dunno why as it is a damn good table and perfect for setting up beside my hammock.... in the mornings i can quite literally make and have my coffee and breakfast in bed .... i mean if i'm not going to sleep on the ground why should i cook and eat on the ground? :good2:
Eric McClellan has one also and you can see how we set them up in Indy for the motoGP race....
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/Racerman27410/IMG_1169.jpg)
Kookaloo!
"haven't spoken to Calvin or Eric yet, do you know if either of them are coming?"
Dan I'm not heading down there this year...
Eric M
Just as a follow up to the top shelf table..
nice little package.....
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/Racerman27410/003-1.jpg)
how it all fits in there...
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/Racerman27410/topshelftable.jpg)
and while GCI no longer makes the top shelf table there appears to be another company who is making one of similar design and although it does appear to vary slightly from the size and construction of the GCI version.. it would beat the heck out of "discontinued" and "No longer available" for someone possibly looking for a good camp table. :biggrin:
I feel a good table really helps to civilize my camp!. :good2:
http://www.integrityoutdoorbrands.com/camp-tables/rolltop-18.htm (http://www.integrityoutdoorbrands.com/camp-tables/rolltop-18.htm)
KOokaloo!