first night in a hammock; thoughts

**Blaker** · 10-12-2013, 12:27

Last night was my first experience in a hammock. I am using as cheap a setup as i could come up with and still feel safe in. Eno double nest, little bit of amsteel, some rings, and webbing. Had a cheap blue foam mat under me, and a simple un zipped polyester fill sleeping bag to cover up with. It dropped down to about ~45-50 last night. I slept like a big ole baby, all night long. I was more comfortable that I have ever been while camping. I stayed warm all night. The gentle sway of the hammock put me right to sleep. Like being rocked to sleep by your momma when your little. I camped on top of a mountain last night, tonight im hitting the river. Going to watch the kayakers and find me two nice little trees by the water somewhere, build a fire and lay back in my hammock and relax to the sound of the river tonight. I can't wait. I love my hammock, and I will never sleep on the ground again. You can keep your air mattresses and cots, I will keep my hammock.

**BillyBob58** · 10-12-2013, 12:33

Originally Posted by Blaker

Last night was my first experience in a hammock. I am using as cheap a setup as i could come up with and still feel safe in. Eno double nest, little bit of amsteel, some rings, and webbing. Had a cheap blue foam mat under me, and a simple un zipped polyester fill sleeping bag to cover up with. It dropped down to about ~45-50 last night. I slept like a big ole baby, all night long. I was more comfortable that I have ever been while camping. I stayed warm all night. The gentle sway of the hammock put me right to sleep. Like being rocked to sleep by your momma when your little. I camped on top of a mountain last night, tonight im hitting the river. Going to watch the kayakers and find me two nice little trees by the water somewhere, build a fire and lay back in my hammock and relax to the sound of the river tonight. I can't wait. I love my hammock, and I will never sleep on the ground again. You can keep your air mattresses and cots, I will keep my hammock.

WhooHoo! Welcome to the life, Blaker, and what an excellent 1st try, even with a pad! Just goes to show that it can be done even with just a WM pad!

**rcam1977** · 10-12-2013, 14:28

My first hammock was a ENO DN as well and I still use it at home a lot, I normally take my WBBB when in the woods though but you can definitely get a good nights rest in a ENO

**Blaker** · 10-12-2013, 15:26

yeah, i cant really say anything bad about the pad. For the warmer nights like last night, I will probably stick with it for now.

**Mumbles** · 10-12-2013, 15:54

That is a fine first night report.

**Blaker** · 10-12-2013, 16:27

Originally Posted by Mumbles

That is a fine first night report.

Thank you. I honestly enjoyed myself about as much as one could...I used to camp a lot. Over the past few years I found that I was camping less and less. Finally I decided this was due to sleeping arrangements. I grew up camping in a tent, but lately I just found that I did not enjoy anything about a tent. They are hot and stuffy if its not cold outside. They usually have that musty smell even though you cleaned it. Sleeping on the ground, even though im fairly young, did a toll on my knees and back. I find that I no longer like air matresses either. AND the number one reason I no longer like tents, they confine me. They trigger my slight closterphobia, however you spell it. And, I dont like not being able to open my eyes and scan my surroundings without actually getting up. Oh and something else i just remembered, if someone has to use the bathroom in the middle of the night the zipper on the door always woke me up even if they were in a seperate tent.

I plan to slowly upgrade my equipment as does everyone im sure. But for now, I only plan on doing fall camping and i am fairly confident that i will be able to get by with just the foam pad. I wanted to pull the trigger on some uq's and tq's but my funds just didnt allow it. I recently quit my job to go back to college... I am second guessing that move, but keeping my fingers crossed that it works out in the long run....anyway, back on topic, yea i plan to slowly upgrade as i can....I do have some student loan money coming in around february i think....camping gear is considered a necessity for school, right?

**ClayTurner** · 10-12-2013, 16:36

Yep, really beats sleeping on the ground. I am glad you're first experience was so positive, and think you're strategy of staying with your simple setup as you gain knowledge of potential equipment upgrades is very sound thinking.

**Mumbles** · 10-12-2013, 16:48

Totally agree Blaker. Ground pounds my body. I like being elevated much more. It is like a whole new start, a fresh slate to enjoy something I love to do, be outdoors.

**Bubba** · 10-13-2013, 02:05

Welcome to the elevated perspective! I was the same as you. Hated sleeping on the thin Thermarest pads. I was never comfortable on the ground. It's good that you are comfortable with what you have. No need to rush upgrading. Good luck at College and hopefully it will lead to good things for you.