Greetings from Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

[ThreeRacconsInTrenchcoat]

Hey folks, glad to be here!

I had my first successful hammock camping experience on the July long weekend, and I'm hooked. I've been tweaking my setup over the last six weeks and I'm looking forward to a few good hangs in northern BC at the end of August.

My current gear:

• Eno Doublenest hammock (got for free as work swag)
• Eno Guardian DX bugnet
• Onetigris underquilt
• Grand Trunk tree straps (plus an extra 10' webbing strap if I need to extend)
• Hotcore Wingman tarp (9.5' x 9.5')

Things I've learned since I started:

• I can get comfortable in my Doublenest, but I'm 6'4" and it's a 9'6" hammock, so longer would probably be better
• Splicing amsteel is fun and easy once you get the hang of it - I've got an 8' structural ridgeline, a couple of whoopie slings, and some continuous loops and soft shackles in my rigging
• UQ > sleeping pad, no question

[xMagnolia]

Welcome to the forums! Sounds like you have a good grasp on the starting points. Share some pictures from your trips- I will probably never get to the Vancouver area, but like to see what's out there.

Charlotte

[Canadark]

Welcome aboard...you'll find a wealth of useful infomation here as you ease your way up the learning curve. You have one of the more interesting screen names, that's for sure. Mine relates to a Rick Mercer sketch from years ago.

[cougarmeat]

ThreeRaccoonsInTrenchcoat, Welcome to the forum. I think you already earned the honor of having the longest screen name

I was going to suggest 15 ft tree straps because, from my kayaking around the Vancouver Island area, you have the "big dogs". But your extra 10 ft per side will probably work.

Hammock tree at Whiterock Passage near Surge Narrows Provincial Park

TreeAtWhiterock.jpg

Everyone starts somewhere. I'm glad you understood that for your size, a 9'6" hammock will keep you off the ground but you'll experience a world of difference in an 11 ft or 12 ft hammock. There are lots of good deals with single-layer hammocks from vendors mention here. Dutchware had one for $40 USD. If your weight approaches 225+ lbs., you may want to consider a double-layer hammock (not as much stretch).

Because you already have a separate bug net and a UQ, you can use those with anything. Eventually, you may end up with a hammock that has a built-in net and maybe even an attached UQ (Superior Hammocks). But give it at least one season with what you have - except maybe a larger single-layer hammock. On every outing you'll learn something different and by the end of a season you'll have a much better idea of what you want for "the next one".

You'll probably, eventually, want a larger tarp.

Have fun reading the posts, watching the youtube videos, etc.