Lowcountry starter

**ComputerCynthia** · 07-24-2018, 09:09

Middle-aged newbie lady here from near Hardeeville, SC. I'm already interested in making turtledog stands, I'm 200 pages into the old turtledog thread, and I don't even have a rig! I tried camping in a Eureka tent a few times. I loved the tent design and ease of use. I was starting to get into the how-to of making food on a stove. But I was never comfortable to be on a foam pad. And the weights of the tent and pack were something of a let down to ever going far from my car.

I sit and sleep in foam bean bags at home so I feel I'm one step away from liking the same sort of positions, hanging.

So, maybe I'm going to begin as a glamper car camper. But I'm liking the idea of being able to sit and sleep much more comfortably in a campsite.

Now I'm regretting giving up my down sleeping bag at my last move. I had little idea I could bring that into this newer way of camping. Any pointers for a newbie eying the cheapest way into making choices in building a setup?? And places to go near SC that are not costing an arm and leg in fuel and fees? TIA

**Starfish Comet** · 07-24-2018, 12:27

Welcome to the forum. There are quite a few hangers in South Carolina and best thing you could do would be to attend a group hang from the Palmetto State Hangers to see everyone's hammocks to see what you like before investing in your own. In the meantime continue reading the forum and watch Shug's videos.

**gunner76** · 07-24-2018, 12:45

welcome to the madness.

Buy cheap and you will buy many times or go for quality and buy once. You can still use your sleeping bag as a Top Quilt.

Attend a group hang in your area and check out the different rigs and ask the folks what they like and don't like about them. Ask nicely and most hangers will let you try their set up. Let the group hang you are attending know that you do not have a hammock and most of them will be happy to loan a hammock set up for the hang.

There is no perfect hammock, tarp, ect. Do not expect to save weight using a hammock set up over a tent set up. What you will gain is a more comfortable nights sleep and if there is a storm, you will stay dry above the wet ground instead of being down on it.

Your new best friend is Shug...watch his many videos on hammock hanging. Great stuff. Even my wife The Terminator watches them.

**TallPaul** · 07-24-2018, 12:55

Welcome to the forums from Charlotte.

The Plameto State Hangers have a Facebook group as well. Join them over there and they can give even more details on their gangs.

My first hang I didn’t know a soul and showed up with my tent. The group was very welcoming and really helped me learn faster than reading a days and days worth of info on here.

DIY may be the way to go for you to cut some costs.

**old4hats** · 07-24-2018, 13:37

+1 on what TallPaul said, Palmetto State Hangers is a great group to join and get to know. If you can attend the hang in August you can get a masters degree in hammocking.