If you are talking about the NCT - Manistee River Trail loop, then I can recommend it whole heartedly. It is a beautiful area, plenty of camping (though water is a bit scarce along the NCT side. You...
Type: Posts; User: lyleb
If you are talking about the NCT - Manistee River Trail loop, then I can recommend it whole heartedly. It is a beautiful area, plenty of camping (though water is a bit scarce along the NCT side. You...
My experience is with a Speer, but I found that looser is better. Hang it with pronounced sag, then lay on the diagonal. This will give you a fairly flat bed. Place a stuff sack with extra clothes or...
Why bother with Backpacker. They are not a relevant source of information - haven't been for years. Stick with the forums, much better.
That's what I was going to say. I've been using Ed's method for a year now, never slipped a bit. Did get a minor amount of slipping when I was only able to do two wraps due to tree size, but three or...
One Speer. Completely happy, no need to spend more money on another hammock, spending my money on accessories. :-)
Heated water in a bottle, then in a wool sock works well. Could also use something like these for emergencies, they are re-usable.
http://www.9thtee.com/reheater.htm
A great addition to the standard blue pad when using it in a hammock is Speer's SPE. It allows you to add more insulation on the sides of the pad, thus increasing it's effectiveness in a hammock....
I'm very happy with my Speer.
I can side sleep, or mostly side sleep, kinda a modified, but very comfortable. I have to leave a lot of slack, then sleep slightly diagonal to accomplish this, just...
Hey all,
I've recently found out that I can go to the PA Ruck in a couple of weeks. It's at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. When I hiked through there in '06 I stayed at the Iron Master's, I didn't...
When I recently ordered from Ed, I did it via phone. During the conversation, Ed realized that I had ordered items from him in the past and asked if I wanted/needed another copy of the book. When I...
Just got my Speer last summer, first real test was a week spent hanging in Minnesota. Loved it and have used it since. Have done some short weekend backpacks with it, looking forward to a more...
Not terribly experienced here, but I'll pass on what I know. I have the Speer hammock and love it. As you know, the bug netting can be removed, and it sleeps very comfortably once you set it up with...
I have had back problems in the past. I would be hesitant to push things this early after an injury. As long as you refer to the situation as "still on the mend", you should probably be careful....
Seems using the stake would keep the cd perpendicular to the pull of the line, also they would distribute the load to a wider area of the cd. May be worth the extra weight/hassle of using them. Would...
headchange4u,
Very interesting. Have you tried this in snow? I would have thought the cd's were way to fragile for this. Don't they get even more brittle when frozen?
Guess I will have to give...
I've had the velocity 35 for a couple of years now. It's a real nice bag, has kept me warm on nights below freezing at 11,000 ft. in the Sierra's in Sept. I did use a Silk liner on that trip.
...
I did play around with the PeaPod today, wearing it around the house a bit. I can see where it could be usable for quiet lounging, eating, reading, etc. prior to going to bed. can pretty easily keep...
Guess I have seen no reason to consider other methods with my Speer. The four-wrap is just so simple.
I haven't packed with mine a whole lot yet, but when I have I just pull the SPE off the pads and leave it in the hammock to be stuffed with it. I use a z-rest, so it accordions into my P2. The wing...
Thanks JJ and Slowhike,
Some of what you mention was what I was thinking, guess I'm leaning to the NS. Will just be using one of my regular sleeping bags for now, but eventually hope to get a...
Any comments pro/con on the Frogsack vs. NS?
Also, how would you go about wearing the PeaPod as a robe as mentioned in the literature/website?
Actually it would have been delivered yesterday, but I was at work. I picked it up a few minutes ago and can't wait to get a chance to try it out. Probably not until next week or the week after. May...
Whiteblazers - sent me here, convinced me to give it a try.
I'll join in here. Have never used a HH, but my Speer is COMFY!
You seem to know what to look for. In a cheap bag, you will probably not get the long lasting quality that a top or middle tier bag would give, but the technology is so advanced today that most any...
Thanks Ewker,
Just ordered a PeaPod for $178. Unfortunately the down quilts for $30 are all gone. Go figure!
A few things people use:
Turn a stuff sack inside out, place shoes in the stuff sack, then sleep with shoes in the foot of your sleeping bag. Shoes not frozen, bag stays clean.
or
Heat water...
Not sure what tarp you're talking about. I have the Cat cut tarp that came with my IIIA and have none of those concerns. The ridgeline is plenty long to attach to any trees that the hammock itself...
Thanks for the comments FF and JJ.
Any opinion about ease of use, fiddle factor setting up/packing up the two alternatives?
So far I've just used a z-rest with a SPE. I cut up an old, ripped blue pad to fit in the wings. Used a three season bag as a top quilt. This kept me warm into the low 30's so far. Can add another...
Have you checked out Ed Speer's book.
http://www.hammockcamping.com/
Decent introduction, plus directions for making your own hammock. You get the book for free, if you buy a hammock from him,...
This looks awesome for certain situations. Any idea of a price point goal? Or have you even considered that yet?
I'm pretty new to hanging too, but will give you my experience, since you mentioned back problems.
I have had back problems off and on for many years. In my bed at home, I can rarely stand to stay...
Have you considered a Speer SPE? Will take your 3/4 length pad and the wings on the sides will give you the added width for the hammock. I use it and have been happy so far.
He says he uses safety lines (2) so he should be safe enough if he knows how to tie. :-)
Most of you also inhabit Whiteblaze, but if you missed it, check out this post:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=29246
Was out last weekend, only problem I had was the last night, camped on the shore of a lake. Plenty of wildlife around, coyotes, deer, owls, etc. but the problem critters were the 13-lined ground...
Follow Ed Speer's advice about hanging a top entry with a lot of sag. He states leave as much sag as possible without ending up lying on the ground [I would add, and still being able to get out of it...
Usually I sleep in a pair of poly pro long underwear, poly pro long sleeved shirt, and either wool socks or, if it's really cold, down booties (usually have to take these off by morning - too hot,...
I have the ULA P2. As you have probably heard in the past, ULA makes excellent packs. I'm totally happy with it after about three years of use. No quality issues, comfortable, convenient. They aren't...
You appear to understand the difference between Alternate and Opposite. Glad you found the info helpful. I'm not an expert, but have had some forest vegetation courses years ago at Michigan State....
Often confused with Poison Ivy is Virginia Creeper. Both have rootlets that attach the vine to a tree, but if you look close at these rootlets you can distinguish which is which. Virginia Creeper...
I was attending the Partnership for the National Scenic and Historic Trails System Conference held at the Duluth Holiday Inn.
I chose to camp at the Snowflake Nordic Center for the week. It is...
I just got back from spending a week in Duluth. Slept each night in my Speer Hammock. This was the first test, my first experience sleeping in a hammock and I wasn't disappointed.
I have the...
I've made plans to attend the Gathering which will be my first. I'll try to make it to this Hang too for at least a day. Looking forward to October!
"I have, however, packed and repacked, packed and repacked dozens of times and it just looks so empty with my summer gear. "
To borrow a recent theme from Whiteblaze.net:
You could fill all...
That Springer camp out sounds VERY interesting. Anyone up for some hiking that time of year? You are right slowhike, kinda far for just one night, but if I hike for a week or so... HMMMMMMM!
...
Would LOVE to attend, but will be at the Partnership for the National Scenic and Historic Trails Conference in Duluth then.
I'm really looking forward to attending my first hanging, but it will...
Just won the auction for a Singer model 6233 off ebay. Seller has a 99.8 positive feedback on over 1500 transactions. He specializes in Sewing machine products/accessories. Description says the...
I don't think it takes much reading here to be able to figure out which of the Manufacturers have the communities respect as honest, truthful advisers for us newbies. If someone were merely trying to...