I'm a newbie, too... just turned the big 6-0 this summer and have taken two hangs so far... aside from spending most nights in the 'yard hammock' listening to the lake this summer.
Started that (yard hammocking) a few years ago and finally realized this is what I should be doing when I go camping/hiking/kayaking!
Still getting my equipment together. My kayaking pals are die-hard tenters.20190823_064407.jpg 20190803_074040.jpg
Welcome to the Forum. I have a Mantis and really like using it as my backpacking rig. It's light has good features and keeps everything in a nice compact package.
"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters.”
― Norman Maclean
Welcome from another PNW'er. It really "must" be the golden age. I've always been an avid "grounder" and never even considered a hammock until just a few months ago.. and that was really just a whim after a trusted friend mentioned he had taken the plunge. Did my first hang a couple months ago, will NEVER go back to the ground and kind of kicking myself for all the wasted years of sore backs and restless nights I've had in the past few decades. Combined with a good days activities, a solid meal over the fire and the fresh air, I dare say I sleep much more soundly than I do at home. It's "lights on, lights off" till morning and rarely move a muscle. To top it off, instead of waking up and being used to "working out the kinks" it's a real game changer to wake up completely refreshed... and fully mobile from the get-go.
I don't know enough about all the gear available to comment/suggest much, but the UQ I picked up (from another member) really enhanced the experience so I would agree you're probably ahead of the curve having not had to go through the "fight-a-pad" phase. Good on ya!
As someone else mentioned, keep an eye on the "for sale" section. I've made a couple of purchases there and been extremely pleased with the results so far.
Hang On!
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