Originally Posted by
cougarmeat
It's hard to imagine there would be that much difference in weight just replacing the 7/64 standard AmSteel - sure there would be some. But you'd get far more weight saving - at far more cost - by swapping out the aluminum spreader poles and using carbon fiber.
One thing that interests me - and I haven't seen any "studies" about this - is making the apex point of the Ridge Runner shorter. As it is, I've been told about 13 feet is usually the distance from apex point to apex point. If the two suspension lines making the triangle were shorter, it would put more compression pressure on the spreader poles and I've read about them breaking if the suspension length is modified too much.
I don't know about the strength of CF in that situation. if carbon poles would be lighter AND allow me to shorten the suspension, they would be a serious replacement consideration.
It's just me but I am fussy about line to line connections. It comes from rock climbing where I'd see people pull a perlon rope through a nylon sling. The heat generated seemed like it would crystalize the webbing. After repelling off a climb, you could barely hold your repell device because it was so hot from friction. With that history, even though the rigging on a hammock is not moving, I don't like to attach line to line. I always put a carabiner or some kind of ring or other hardware between the two pieces of line.
The nice thing about the ring is it allow me to easily swap out suspension styles - webbing/line/whoopies/daisy chain - and make a water break. Sure it is more weight. But I'm not chasing a few ounces. For the distances and pace I hike, it won't make any difference. (Note: I'm a geezer; I hiked the PCT through Oregon with boots that were heavier than my pack today. The movie Wild was very accurate in that regard. Our boots were that heavy; our packs were that big - though not filled with all the useless stuff she had. I'm not afraid of a little weight - though there is nothing wrong with getting off on ultralite).
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