Hammock campers?

Well, I'll be doing an overnight trip this weekend and I'll be going with a hammock for the first time ever.
Always used a tent, but the person I'm going with has always used a hammock, so, I'm gonna try.

Low 50's overnight, can I use my 3/4 length Thermarest that I use for backpacking as an "underquilt" type of thing?
I was going to take my sleeping bag for top cover...

The hammock has an integrated mosquito net, do I need a rain fly, tarp, or other cover??
He says no, but I'm bringing a tarp I think...

Really not so sure about this hammock thing...
 
wolfpack65 said:
Well, I'll be doing an overnight trip this weekend and I'll be going with a hammock for the first time ever.
Always used a tent, but the person I'm going with has always used a hammock, so, I'm gonna try.

Low 50's overnight, can I use my 3/4 length Thermarest that I use for backpacking as an "underquilt" type of thing?
I was going to take my sleeping bag for top cover...

The hammock has an integrated mosquito net, do I need a rain fly, tarp, or other cover??
He says no, but I'm bringing a tarp I think...

Really not so sure about this hammock thing...
Click to expand...
First - "Hammock thing" = awesomeness!

If you're not worried about rain no cover would be needed, but getting soaked while sleeping sucks (trust me). Seeping bag will work just fine too.

The pad will do just fine, won't quite as comfortable, but will keep you from getting CBS (Cold Butt Syndrome).

I have a couple extra tarps if you need to borrow one you are welcome to use.
 
Don't think it's gonna rain the days/night I'm going, so maybe I'll bring the tarp for putting on the ground under the hammock?
I don't want CBS and have done some reading this week in preparation and found that the Thermarest will work, but as you said, probably not as comfortable.
Just didn't want to spend any money on something that, if I don't like it, I've not wasted $.

I have a feeling I may actually like this and if so, I'll be getting my own hammock for backpacking.
I currently have a Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 that I use for backpacking.
 
wolfpack65 said:
Don't think it's gonna rain the days/night I'm going, so maybe I'll bring the tarp for putting on the ground under the hammock?
I don't want CBS and have done some reading this week in preparation and found that the Thermarest will work, but as you said, probably not as comfortable.
Just didn't want to spend any money on something that, if I don't like it, I've not wasted $.

I have a feeling I may actually like this and if so, I'll be getting my own hammock for backpacking.
I currently have a Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 that I use for backpacking.
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There are plenty of us with plenty of gear if you want to test anything out don't be afraid to ask. If you want an underquit instead of the pad I've got a spare one that is good to about 40-45 degrees that would work well and is easy to set up. You could take both and see what you like better. Some folks like their pad, and won't ever buy a UQ.

Tarp is good for privacy, not just for rain. If not needed it wouldn't hurt to use as a ground cloth which is nice instead of trying to put your shoes on without having to step on the ground (especially this time of year).
 
I use my tent pad in my hammock and it works great. Mine is an inexpensive Yukon Double with a Yukon rainfly. I use a sleeping bag inside and it keeps me warm. Here is my setup from a night last year up in Pisgah.

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chiefjason said:
Couple mil plastic sheeting, sofa wrap is awesome if you can get some. I've got some that has lasted for years.
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I think I'm going to buy a cheap footprint for a 1 or 2 person tent to use as my ground cloth. It will have grommets or straps that can be used for staking and should be somewhat durable. I will gladly sacrifice a little weight for functionality.
 
I use a therma rest foam pad if it's cool. Going to try and make an underquilt for our next vacation.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Dammit... More dutchware on the way.

@HK_fanboy sorry, I forgot to ask if you needed anything before ordering.
 
OK...that was an adventure this past weekend.
Once we got to a place where we wanted to set stuff up, off the trail a ways so to be more secluded - first thing was setting those hammocks up.
I will say that laying in one that afternoon - it was mostly comfortable and I managed to get the sleeping pad in & under me so that I was sorta on a diagonal.

That night though....
Low of about 49/50F and the sleeping pad plus the tarp plus a fleece blanket didn't cut it.
Went to bed around 10:30p and was awake at 1:30am because I was cold everywhere that wasn't covered by the pad.
Seems like the tarp didn't help with any insulation, as I thought it might, putting it under the sleeping pad & wrapping up the sides.

My friend asks "are you OK?" around 2pm and I said, "No! I'm cold!"
He asked if I wanted him to get up and restart the fire.
YES

So, ended up dozing/napping/resting in front of the fire on the poncho & liner(s) he had brought.
Both of us got maybe an hour's worth of napping between 5:30-7:30am.

Will I use the hammock again?
Yea, I don't see why not, but will be better prepared for the temperature.
An underquilt would be nice, need to see about getting one for both of them for, maybe for me, anything under 65F at night...

Also, the snugpak hammock is not small nor all that lightweight.
But, guess it doesn't matter since he's carrying them. :)
 
@wolfpack65 If you get an underquilt, I would suggest getting a 0-20 degree. You may not ever need that much insulation, but when you think about it, that's exactly what you have laying in a bed. You can vary your temp by which topquilt or sleeping bag you bring, and if need be, let the underquilt sag a bit to get some air under it. Check out the Incubator from Hammock Gear. They are pricey, but excellent quality. They now have an Econ line that is basically made with a slightly heavier weight material and less color options than their normal line.

http://www.hammockgear.com/econ-quilts/
 
First time is always an eye opener when it gets a bit chilly. Glad you're going to give it another go!

That's the main reason I hated using a pad (except once last year at summer camp - long story) and will now always have a UQ if its under 70. I'm pretty well insulated but being cold certainly sucks. I never could stay on the pad well.

My "workhorse" UQ is a 20 degree lynx and if its going to really cold a 0 degree from UGQ. That lesson learned last year has me always taking at least the 20.

@wolfpack65 Did you not take a sleeping bag?
 
HK_fanboy said:
It's probably a good thing I didn't know you were ordering from Dutch because I would have replaced more than the stinger I lost last weekend. I can never order just one item from Dutch ($$$).
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My $18 order turned into $75 somehow
 
No, I did not take my sleeping bag.
It's a half zip at best and I thought it would be difficult to get into.
Sorta wish I had, at least I could have tried to get into it.

The snugpack hammocks are heavy, but I guess if my friend is carrying them, I won't worry about it...

I'll post up my adventure shortly..
 
wolfpack65 said:
No, I did not take my sleeping bag.
It's a half zip at best and I thought it would be difficult to get into.
Sorta wish I had, at least I could have tried to get into it.

The snugpack hammocks are heavy, but I guess if my friend is carrying them, I won't worry about it...

I'll post up my adventure shortly..
Click to expand...

Great write up on the hike. If you go again and want to borrow anything, just ask. I've got doubles of just about everything.
 
I will go again.
First time ever in a hammock (for camping/backpacking) and I didn't figure it was going to be fun due to the night time temps.
But, there are ways to fix that, so I'll try again.

I should have asked to borrow an under quilt and will if I go again when the temps are chilly (for me) or if I don't get one myself.
My friend was like...I'm bringing a poncho & liner & will bring a liner for you.
I let him keep both liners since I had the pad..
 
If you do decide to bring a sleeping bag, only zip it up about a 1/4 of the way up. That's how all the top quilts are anyway, except they are usually sewn or have snaps. You just put your feet in the enclosed area (called a footbox) and tuck the quilt around you. Basically using it as a blanket but with it enclosed around your feet so it doesn't slide down. I couldn't imagine trying to zip the whole thing up around me while I'm laying down. It would also freak me out because I wouldn't be able to get out of it very easily.
 
Spent a week at Raven Knob

Hanging out taking a break from classes.
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Leaders corner @HK_fanboy has the superfly and WBBB
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New warbonnet cloudburst and hanging in the WBRR
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LOTS of room!
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And as it's name implies it will keep you dry during a cloudburst - lol
20170619_164408.jpg
 
mj1angier said:
Your camping trips always look like a photo shoot for a hammock ad.

Mine look like drunk, redneck refuges set up in the middle of the night with a bic lighter to see by...
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And don't forget the tractor so we don't have to find a second tree to hang by. Lol
 
Just got back from 4 days and nights up in Boone. No pictures of my setup but it's fairly basic.

Eno doublenest with their version of tree straps, mule tape for a ridgline because it's what I happened to grab this time, and a harbor freight green tarp. At some point I will upgrade my tarp, but this one has held up for several camping trips over the past year. It is heavy and bulky though.

I knew it was going to be cold, colder than I had ever camped in a hammock, so I was prepared. I hung a poncho liner as an underquilt, which worked but could be improved upon.

My full size wool blanket performed perfectly. I laid down on it, and then folded it around me, boxing in my feet. I had a spare cheap surplus blanket that I was prepared to use if I needed to, but the good wool blanket was enough.

The lows were 54, 43, 52, and 62 with a fair amount of wind the second and last nights. Even on the coldest night I did not wake up cold.

I did wear plenty of clothing, although not really optimal clothing for colder weather.

Wool socks, basketball shorts, t shirt, wind pants, light jacket, light toboggan.

Also I didn't have a fire nearby due to the layout of the campground.

I was pretty happy with how everything worked and would certainly feel comfortable going to colder temps with proper clothing and a fire.

This setup survived pretty heavy rains early this morning as well, and I was dry as a bone.

Things that I took away from this trip are 1) a queen sized blanket would be way better than a full size and 2) I need to address the underquilt because it was not very efficient.
 
Thread necromancy!

Still haven't figured out that damn hammock.
 
MadMardigan said:
My gear now:

Warbonnet Blackbird
Grand Trunk Fly
ThermARest Trail Scout
Hammock Gear Econ Phoenix 40 with 2oz overfill

Needing a new top quilt now.
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Spent 3 months after moving out here in my ridge runner before the family came out here. I miss sleeping in it even though we've got a king size temperpedic now.
 
I really miss hanging in my yard for no other reason then to just take a nap. No friggin trees here :(
 
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