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  1. #1
    New Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Erie County, Pennsylvania
    Hammock
    HH Ultralite Explorer
    Posts
    21

    Rainy camping trip with Hennessy Hammocks report

    Just finished a short backpacking trip on Pennsylvania's Black Forest Trail. Stayed only one night but the three Hennessy Hammocks we used kept all of us dry through a rainy overnight. The rain was light and lasted most of the night. The hammocks we used were two Ultralight Explorers and one Scout; all with the small stock tarps. The Scout was used by a young 12 year old boy who likes camping and it was his first night in a hammock. In the morning he gave his verdict: "sleeping in a hammock is way more comfortable than in a tent." (I already knew that!)

    I have used my Ultralight Explorer now for about four and a half years and it still looks new. I do want to buy some longer tree straps though. We used some large trees and longer straps would have been nice.

    -Daniel

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Sarasota Florida
    Hammock
    Warbonnet ridgerunner/ chameleon
    Tarp
    WB Thunderfly
    Insulation
    Synthetic UQ
    Suspension
    Dutch beetles
    Posts
    357
    Great hammocks. I have a deep jungle xl and have only use the bigger tarps. I had the UL explorer tarp out today and I’m goin with that next trip. Super simple. Have you looked into replacing the stock cordage suspension with continuous loops? Then you can get the 15’ poly straps with Dutch beetle buckles. I’ve tried them all and this is a great setup. Glad ya guys stayed dry.

  3. #3
    Senior Member oldpappy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Northern Virginia
    Hammock
    Argon 11 ft or HH BKUL
    Tarp
    Asym DIY Pole Mod
    Insulation
    DIY, Jarbrige,HHSS
    Suspension
    Lashings
    Posts
    1,305
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    27
    Thank you for the report. What did you use for insulation?
    I often use my stock Backpacker UL I bought new somewhere between 2006 to 2008 - many years/nights and still one of my favorites.
    For bottom insulation I used a gossamer gear 30X36" CCF pad for about 10 years then BillyBob on this site talked me into getting the Super Shelter which I am very pleased with

    P.S. I don't know the Black Forest area, but I camp in the Kinzua Dam/Warren area every July - The Chautauqua gorge area was one of my camping areas back in the 60's. I love that country.
    Enjoying the simple things in life -
    Own less, live more.

  4. #4
    New Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Erie County, Pennsylvania
    Hammock
    HH Ultralite Explorer
    Posts
    21
    oldpappy,

    We all used Thermarest pads. Mine was the newest; a 2007 NeoAir. The others had self inflating pads with the foam inside. The Black Forest Trail is about 100 miles east of Warren.
    -Daniel

  5. #5
    Senior Member oldpappy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Northern Virginia
    Hammock
    Argon 11 ft or HH BKUL
    Tarp
    Asym DIY Pole Mod
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    DIY, Jarbrige,HHSS
    Suspension
    Lashings
    Posts
    1,305
    Images
    27
    Thanks. Enjoy that Pennsylvania spring weather.
    Enjoying the simple things in life -
    Own less, live more.

  6. #6
    New Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    3
    This thread is a little old, but, I have had problems with my Deep Jungle XL twice on raining nights. Last night, I ended up sleeping in a bowl of water. The rainfly somehow leaked and the sleeping pad slot collected all the rain water. It was a miserable night. I'm using the regular rainfly but am really considering an upgraded one. My fiance slept in her 4 season explorer and stayed mostly dry except for where the rainfly was touching the insect net and rain slowly dripped in on her. I've heard that you can completely collapse the rain fly to cocoon yourself, that just didn't seem possible. Overall, miserable night in the woods. I'm not a fan of the a-sym rainfly, it seems if it's not put up perfectly, you are going to get wet.

  7. #7
    New Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Erie County, Pennsylvania
    Hammock
    HH Ultralite Explorer
    Posts
    21
    I have stayed dry with the small Hennessy rainfly. Have you checked the taped seams? My rainfly is now almost 7 years old and I noticed a little bit of water coming through my last trip. I found that the tape has been separating from the seam. I pulled on the tape and it all came off easily. I bought some seam sealer and put that on the seam. Now just need to get out again on a rainy night and keep my fingers crossed on my seam sealing job.

    You can always buy another tarp, and if you do from another manufacturer, then you can string it up separately. Please keep us updated.

    -Daniel

  8. #8
    New Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2021
    Location
    Toronto
    Hammock
    HH 4Season Explorer Zip XL
    Tarp
    HH Hex
    Insulation
    JRB Mt Washington
    Suspension
    Beetle Buckles
    Posts
    7
    I don't get how your girlfriend got wet. The sounds like the properties of an ancient canvas tarp. Was it condensation?
    I have the 4 Season Explorer XL with the hex fly. I have not had a problem staying dry even in sites with scant tree protection. The key is to stay broadside to the wind and set the tarp close to the hammock. If there's no wind you should not get wet - period. There may be occasions when the tree layout does not lend itself to staying broadside to the wind and rain. An option there is to find a place back in the bush removed from the campsite proper. If that's not possible, position the tarp in such a way that it's providing more protection to the end with greater exposure to the sideways rain. In other words, your tarp should be off-centre from your hammock. But I suspect a simple upgrade to the hex fly will solve most of your issues.

  9. #9
    Moderator
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    VA, Oh, and FL
    Hammock
    HH Expedition, HH Explorer Dlx
    Tarp
    Noah 12, BCUSA 10
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    JRB Nest, Old Rag
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    Stock HH w/rings
    Posts
    7,979
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    1
    I have an Explorer and an Expedition which I use with Hex Rainfly. I never got wet with the regular tarp but I like a bit extra room under my tarp. I have also put them side by side under my 12x12 tarp without an issue. Never had a leak issue but my Hex is now about 6 years old so I will most likely retire it over the winter and replace it.

    I have a number of hammocks to choose from but I always end up back with my HH.
    Deb
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    "The older I get, the more I appreciate my rural childhood. I spent a lot of time outdoors, unsupervised, which is a blessing." Barbara Kingsolver

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