Honestly speaking, you should really try your things out at home or close to your home, if you don't have space in your yard. It's a better and safer way of testing your gear, learning your gears capabilities, practicing set-up, and so on.
Honestly speaking, you should really try your things out at home or close to your home, if you don't have space in your yard. It's a better and safer way of testing your gear, learning your gears capabilities, practicing set-up, and so on.
You'll totally be warm and comfy with that setup, especially with Oldgringo's suggestion of laying on the synthetic bag. I've done that into the 40's with no pad and just been a tiny bit chilled, and I get cold easily. Combine the bag with your air mattress and you'll not be cold. May not even need the tarp this weekend, should be nice and clear. Some people like the covered feeling from a tarp even in clear weather, but I enjoy the sky view. Let us know how it goes. And welcome, from Gilbert.
It sounds like you should be fine with some fiddling.
It would be best if you were able to try everything at home, with all of the rest of your gear at hand and a warm bed to bail to if needs be on Thursday night. It would be better if it were car camping, where you could get more stuff out of the car to help or bail to the warmth of the heater in the car if needs be.
However, if neither of those are possibilities, then I would also bring a small section of CCF pad from WallyWorld (they sell them in the $5 to $8 range) to place underneath the partially-inflated pad you already have. The advice given before me here is also very good: keep drafts around your neck to a minimum, wear a warm (wool or synthetic, not cotton) set of clothing and a good hat, and be ready to make changes if you feel cold. Don't wear wet clothing to bed.
Are you going to be camping alone? If not, there's another failsafe in place, just in case things go sideways.
Otherwise, have fun! Let us know how it goes!
Hey guys, also a new comer to hammock camping with a similar "survival" question.
For a 3 day backpacking trip to WV next weekend (late may), how concerned do I need to be about bugs. My setup: Eno doublenest, 20F synthetic bag, thermarest pad, cheap hardware tarp. I see a lot of setups on this website have netting that have got me worried now.
I used the setup a few weeks back for one night and had the best night in the woods, but I had a tent backup just in case. Am I getting ahead of myself relying on that setup for 3 days? I guess my question is how important is bug netting- esp in May not exactly the height of mosquito/ect season?
a quick bug net can be thrown together with a piece of appropriate material draped over your ridgeline with weights on the end (but it's fiddly.)
See Risk's quarter weight net: http://www.imrisk.com/hammock/ultraquarterweight.htm
A trip to the fabric store can get you something that will last the weekend, however won't be the most durable or lightest.
Bugs are totally dependent on where you are as well! You might be fine without a net- you might not.
TH
Last edited by titanium_hiker; 05-18-2012 at 18:41.
my hammock gear weights total: 2430g (~86oz)
Winter: total 2521 (~89oz)
(see my profile for detailed weights)
gram counter, not gram weenie!
Wool pants with Polartech long undies. Wool socks. A down Jacket with hood.
Small pillow. Nice thick blanket. And say nighty night.
Thanks everyone for your advice. Here is my trip report of my first hang:
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=53232
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