So to answer your trekking pole question I'll reference your first post's pictures.
Here's a bit of a simple disclosure... I don't own a BMBH. I've seen em, layed in one, don't like them. To be fair- I build my own so obviously I have some strong feelings on it.
Took a look at your website and some of your stuff looks interesting. As far as the BMBH - I did not like it at first either (when I was out with an UQ). Once I slid the 25" wide pad in the sleeve, changed my whole perspective about it. Absolutely love the way it feels - that is the reason I have not considered a change for 4 years. The comfort was worth the weight penalty. Fortunately, after reading yours and a few other comments, I have come to the realization that it is the other items of my sleep system that are the low hanging fruit.
I note you don't have trekking poles listed in your current setup. And that you plan to add some 'monopod' type poles?
Do you currently use trekking poles? What do those weigh?
I am 59 years old and when I started hiking again about 10 years ago, I realized real quick, that trekking poles were a needed item and have hiked with them ever since. BUTTTTT - I never gave any thought to the weight or quality of those trekking poles and to this point, need to ask further questions. I have been using a cheap set from Walmart that entire time. Don't even ask me what brand or how much they weigh, because I did not thing they factored into the "back, knee, ankle" stress number. I have always considered those to be the area to focus on, not the swing of my arms...but hey, I might do some further investigation on this.
Do you weigh less than 200 pounds?[/I]
- I weigh in at 215 and cannot seem to get any lower. I ride my bide faithfully to keep the cardio and legs in shape..., but I like I food So the more I ride, the stronger the appetite. Guess I am not going to help the "back, knee, ankle" factor too much with my love affair with Dairy Queen
Do you currently use trekking poles and what model do you use?
- Answered above
Before you can talk trekking poles or carbon fiber spreaders- are you willing to modify your BMBH ? -
Yes, but after reading your posts on the risk to a trekking pole catastrophe - I am going to forgo this mod. I will leave the two end rings near the hammock, but cut the center ring and instead, use Amsteal with loops on the end to replace the two web straps and have them come together with a Dutch double clip, to meet at a whoopie sling / tree strap system. Thinking that doing this on both sides of the hammock is a safe bet. I have never worked with Amsteal or whoopie sling, but thinking I need to get the two web replacements at the same length with loops on the end. If I were to give you the measurements of that length, could you help me out in this area?
Even after all that- please realize that you're probably just horse trading 8-16 ounces or so going down this road. Some of it is cheap, some of it not.
- Understood. You and others advice have given me a better picture of how to get the system down the 2 - 3 lbs I am looking to shave (if not more). They are:
1 - Make the suspension changes discussed - < $50
2 - Swap out the pad to an Xtherm Max pad with an R value of 5.7 - $149 at Moosejaw
3 - Change out tarp system to a Dyneema style - - About $400
4 - Sleeping bag or top quilt - not sure about that yet. I have looked at the SMR Inferno system and kind of liked the top quilt side with the hood, but since I have never slept in a TQ and I am a side sleeper, just concerned about that open back. That really looks like an entry point for a cold wake up call. If I go with a bag, I will drop the Big Agnes system (since my pad will be in the sleeve and does not need to attach) and look for a 15F or better 800 fill or better bag. - This sounds like another $400 investment.
All in - I am looking at a $1000 investment. Lot of money for something I do maybe four or five hikes a year and two or three cycle tours a year. On the other hand, if I had known what I know now, I would not have enough hiking and cycling gear to outfit three or four others (yeah, bunch of stuff in my man cave....).
The next pound or so is doable but I would probably let the dust settle (financially and on the spreadsheet) with those first three items before you go looking too hard at the bridge itself.
But if you can splice and your season is over, you can start working on the bridge now and consider the CF spreader bar upgrade while dodging the whole trekking pole mess too.
The pound after that is what gets expensive, difficult and at times requires some real gram weenie whacking that many here find obscene.
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