Mom of a brand new hanger in GA - I have questions! :)

**tch0901** · 03-06-2015, 13:01

My 14 year old son begged to take a backpacking/camping class at a local church. It's a 9-week class and I am so appreciative to those who lead it. They put in loads of personal time and effort and it really shows.

My son has said he wants to hang, and so here I am trying to learn! He has two local trips where we'll be car camping, then he'll be backpacking/hanging in Pine Mountain, GA next month.

Since we are trying to stock up on the most basic of necessities from the ground up (we pretty much had nothing going into this), we're kind of taking things as they are offered to us. He was gifted an ENO Singlenest, and although it wouldn't have been my first choice for him, it'll do to get started. I ordered a KAQ (underquilt) from AHE. He was also gifted a great Osprey Atmos 50 pack.

Suggestions for the following would be helpful!

1. Still looking for a top quilt or sleeping bag (something not heavy!) that could serve as one for a period of time.

2. I would love to get recommendations on a mosquito net and rainfly.

He has the ENO Atlas Straps so we need to learn how to string a ridgeline also? I have no idea how to tie knots. Sorry to be so green but I am really hoping to get help here!

We have maybe $300 remaining in the budget to purchase the topquilt, bug net, rainfly, and new shoes... can it be done?

Looking forward to the forums!

**MAD777** · 03-06-2015, 13:45

With exceptionally minimal sewing skills, an effective net can me made. Search for "Fronkey bugnet" here on the forum. I even know someone that sewed one by hand.

A cheap sleeping bag will serve as a top quilt, but is will be a bit heavy & bulky. Again, a Climashield top quilt is as nearly easy to sew as the bugnet, but will require access to a sewing machine. It would be better than a cheap sleeping bag and be useful in the long run.

A silnylon tarp will be lightest and most packable for the buck. Make sure it has an 11' ridgeline to cover larger hammocks that he will probably acquire in the future.

**tch0901** · 03-06-2015, 13:50

Craige, oh yes, he and I are learning together. I'm the over-researcher of the family but he'll be the one doing the practical/physical stuff. I'll join him for the first couple of trips but look forward to him learning and loving hanging - I think he's going to get a lifetime of enjoyment from it. He's so excited about it!

I have a sewing mom, so I'm in luck! Even my son has some sewing skills. Thanks, I'll search for the bugnet and a Climashield quilt

**tch0901** · 03-08-2015, 14:28

Originally Posted by MAD777

With exceptionally minimal sewing skills, an effective net can me made. Search for "Fronkey bugnet" here on the forum. I even know someone that sewed one by hand.

A cheap sleeping bag will serve as a top quilt, but is will be a bit heavy & bulky. Again, a Climashield top quilt is as nearly easy to sew as the bugnet, but will require access to a sewing machine. It would be better than a cheap sleeping bag and be useful in the long run.

A silnylon tarp will be lightest and most packable for the buck. Make sure it has an 11' ridgeline to cover larger hammocks that he will probably acquire in the future.

Fronkey bugnet materials are on the way - thanks! $36 including shipping for everything. Love the drawstring design on the bottom for easy entry/exit.

**craige** · 03-06-2015, 13:47

Welcome to HF from Scotland!

First advice I would give you is to get your son on here to learn too! There's not much point in you learning everything and your son going out into the woods with no idea how to pitch a tarp or hang a hammock. Don't worry this site is about as family friendly as the www gets

Can you or anyone you know sew? Or even better teach your son to sew? That would allow you to have higher quality gear at a lower price, especially if you were to make a climashield top quilt. 3 yards of climashield 5.0 and 6 yards of lightweight nylon will make a top quilt and a pillow, check out Dutchwaregear.com and ripstopbytheroll.com. same goes for bug net and tarp. There are some great tutorials in the diy section (don't forget to check the stickies).

If you can't diy then you may struggle to get quality gear that is lightweight and within budget.

**scoffman** · 03-06-2015, 16:55

use a cheap climatek walmart sleeping bag. They are small and with an underquilt they work great.

**tch0901** · 03-08-2015, 14:20

Originally Posted by scoffman

use a cheap climatek walmart sleeping bag. They are small and with an underquilt they work great.

I will look into that! He does have a poncho liner and we are debating making a footbox on it, making a silk liner, and seeing if that will do the job. He is learning that his pack becomes heavy quickly!

**Rain Man** · 03-10-2015, 11:18

Originally Posted by tch0901

He does have a poncho liner and we are debating making a footbox on it, making a silk liner, and seeing if that will do the job.

Another vote for the poncho liner, with footbox, skip the liner. With a good UQ, he may not need much for a TQ, depending on how warm he sleeps. Could always put hot water in a Nalgene water bottle and use it to stay warmer on a cold night.

**tch0901** · 03-10-2015, 12:22

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Another vote for the poncho liner, with footbox, skip the liner. With a good UQ, he may not need much for a TQ, depending on how warm he sleeps. Could always put hot water in a Nalgene water bottle and use it to stay warmer on a cold night.

That is great news! My checking account appreciates it.