Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13
  1. #1
    New Member Graedore's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Melbourne, FL
    Hammock
    ENO DoubleNest / XL Brazilian
    Tarp
    Int.Des. Siltarp 1
    Suspension
    Whoopies/webbing
    Posts
    10

    Talking Hello from Florida!!

    I've been scouring the site for a week or so now, looking for tips on different rigging systems, making my own gear, and doing an indoor hang to replace my bed. I figured it was about time to introduce myself.

    I've been hammock camping for about 10 years now. Mostly down in the Florida Keys or on the spoil islands in the Indian River Lagoon.

    Finally got an ENO Double Nest for my last camping trip and it took my love of hammock camping to a whole new level. Before that I had been using an old rope hammock with spreader bars that I picked up at a garage sale.

    Now I've bought an XL Brazilian and I'm going to attempt to setup an indoor hang tomorrow.

    I'm looking to start camping a lot more often, and thinking of taking a trip up to Ocala National Forest once it cools off a bit.

    I want to put together a good pack, lightweight, that has all I need for camping. Previously I've always lugged mounds of gear with me, but I'd really like to streamline. Any suggestions for what essentials I should include in my camping pack?
    -- Graedore

    "Buy the ticket, take the ride." -Hunter S Thompson

  2. #2
    New Member flailer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    here, there, most anywhere
    Hammock
    down to 4 :(
    Tarp
    Size matters, lol
    Posts
    23
    Welcome!

    Excellent first post!!!

    So, when you say pack, you're talking about backpack, right?
    I have my mega-complete list of camping items, and pack based upon how, when, and where.

  3. #3
    Senior Member MAD777's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    White Mountains, New Hampshire
    Hammock
    DIY, WBBB & Switchback
    Tarp
    HG cuben,OES Spinn
    Insulation
    DIY 3/4 UQ/TQ, UGQ
    Suspension
    Dynaglide / Dutch
    Posts
    10,950
    Images
    39
    Welcome from a couple of hours south of you!

    We Florida hangers get together for hiking trips on a pretty regular basis after summer is over. And there's the big gathering in Ocala Nat. Forest in January (over 85 attended this year).

    Do two things to lighten up. The first is to make two piles of your gear. In one pile place everything you need to survive and all else in the other pile. The second thing to do is to buy a digital postal scale that will measure in grams and/or 1/10 ounces. A 5 pound maximum limit is all you need.

    Fire away with any questions you may have! As you know, it's too hot to hike now so this is a good time to sort out your gear.
    Mike
    "Life is a Project!"

  4. #4
    Senior Member dragon360's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Toronto, ON
    Hammock
    WBBB/TR, DIY, HH, SB DL, GT UL
    Tarp
    ID/OES/WB/WL
    Insulation
    HG/WB/Go-Lite/WB
    Suspension
    Whoopie/Straps/DW
    Posts
    4,704
    Images
    1
    Hello and Welcome to the Forums from Canada!
    The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering. - St. Augustine

    Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.
    - Bob Marley

  5. #5
    Senior Member raiffnuke's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Pittsfield, MA
    Hammock
    WBBB,WBRR,DIY
    Tarp
    HG WP,WB Superfly
    Insulation
    Hammock Gear
    Suspension
    Whoopies&DutchGear
    Posts
    3,779
    Images
    44
    Welcome to HF from Mass.

  6. #6
    Senior Member mountainhanger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Hammond In
    Hammock
    currently hammeck envy
    Tarp
    superfly, tadpole
    Insulation
    phnx,zepp,jbrdge
    Suspension
    straps, hammock an
    Posts
    1,440
    welcome from nw Indiana!
    It's not the boulders that throw us off balance, it's the pebbles beneath our feet

  7. #7
    Senior Member Tuck's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Dahlonega, GA
    Hammock
    Tablecloth w/ fronkey net
    Tarp
    Toxaway
    Insulation
    TUCKuilt, pad
    Suspension
    Whoopies & straps
    Posts
    318
    Welcome from Winter Haven. Let me know when you're planning to go to Ocala.

  8. #8
    Senior Member FLRider's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Gainesville, FL
    Hammock
    DIY Gathered End
    Tarp
    DIY Asym
    Insulation
    DIY Modular Quilt
    Suspension
    Whoopies/MSH
    Posts
    4,471
    Images
    14
    Welcome from Gainesivlle!

    And, listen to MAD777; he's got the right of it. Every trip, make three piles: "What I used the whole trip." "What I didn't use." "What I used only some of the time." Always put your emergency and first-aid kits into the "What I used the whole trip." category, but otherwise... Discard the "What I didn't use." category for your next trip in similar conditions and see how it goes. Debate whether you want the stuff from the "What I used only some of the time." for your next trip in similar conditions.

    It'll help you cut weight pretty easily. And, having a scale to get your pack weight down is a great tool. I'm a big fan of itemizing on a spreadsheet; it allows you to compare alternatives before going out the door.

    And hammocks can be just as lightweight as any other integrated shelter system. It's just a matter of picking and choosing. I'll definitely say that going from a t*** with sleeping bag to an hammock with top/under quilts saved me ~4 pounds by itself, made things much more comfortable, and kept me dry an whole lot better down here in the 3 PM thunderstorms.

    Anyway, if you've got specific questions about anything, feel free to PM me!

  9. #9
    Senior Member engine386's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Orlando, Fl
    Hammock
    Darien UL/WBBB XLC
    Tarp
    Hammock Geaar
    Insulation
    HG and EE
    Suspension
    Dutch
    Posts
    228
    Welcome from Orlando. I agree with the above posts on using a scale and spreadsheet to analyze and cut weight

  10. #10
    Senior Member olddog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Lakeland, Fl
    Hammock
    WL Snipe
    Tarp
    WL Tadpole
    Insulation
    WL SS UQ, WL SS TQ
    Suspension
    Dutch speedhooks
    Posts
    4,323
    Images
    3
    Welcome aboard from Lakeland. Looking forward to meeting all the new members that have joined this year. The 3rd Annual Florida Hang should be huge!
    Most of us end up poorer here but richer for being here. Olddog, Fulltime hammocker, 365 nights a year.

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. Florida FNG
      By cj_tiz in forum Introduce Yourself
      Replies: 17
      Last Post: 05-13-2014, 08:52
    2. Greetings from Florida
      By PS82 in forum Introduce Yourself
      Replies: 10
      Last Post: 01-29-2014, 16:09
    3. Places in Florida that aren't the Florida Trail
      By Mikums in forum Hangouts, Campouts, and Trip Planning
      Replies: 12
      Last Post: 04-27-2013, 17:46
    4. FNG from Florida
      By bisquit476 in forum Introduce Yourself
      Replies: 15
      Last Post: 02-03-2013, 12:38
    5. Newb Central Florida and Florida Law for Hammocks
      By juanchoman in forum Introduce Yourself
      Replies: 22
      Last Post: 07-11-2012, 15:50

    Tags for this Thread

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •