Hi, I'm Another Kevin! (There are lots of Kevin's on the hiking forums. Most of them aren't me. I'm Another Kevin.)
I signed up for this site out of curiosity, since I do see hangers in the woods. (I've even hiked with a few!) I've been lurking off and on for quite a while now.
I know this is heresy, but for forty-plus years of hiking I've been pretty happy as a ground dweller. I appear to be one of those fortunate individuals who can sleep like a rock, on a rock. I've got my ground system tuned to where it suits me pretty well: TarpTent Notch, 800 down sleeping bag, Therm-a-rest ProLite (plus a blue foam in winter). Light to carry, packs well, keeps me warm and dry.
But lately, I've had a few trips where I've had a nagging feeling of hammock envy. These have been tough bushwhacks - lots of pushing through dense brush - and I've been surprised to have had real difficulty finding a place to pitch. (I'm pretty good at stealth camping.) It appeared to me, though, that a hammock would let me get above the sharp rocks, sucking mud, dense brush, or steep slopes - which seemed to cover all of the ground where I was. It's no doubt a heavier setup, but really could save some aggravation on the occasional off-trail jaunt.
I also find myself with an REI gift card burning a hole in my pocket.
So, I'm trying to figure out how to ease into this hammock business, and trying to drink from the fire hose with all the information here. (I've watched a fair number of Shug's videos, read a fair number of the sticky threads here, and I'm still confused.) So I'm hoping someone here can help me filter the reams of conflicting advice down to something that might suit me.
My specs: I'm largish (6'1", 190 lb in hiking trim, add a few when I'm busy at work). Side sleeper, and a restless sleeper. (Or so my wife tells me. I don't notice rolling around in bed, I'm asleep when I do it!) I hike in upstate NY and adjacent CT/MA/VT mostly. I'm not a long-distance hiker, a 3-4 day weekend is about my limit right now. I'd like to keep pack weight down. Blessed is he who sleepeth behind bug netting, for he shall remain sane. And I recognize that cheapo gear to get started is a false economy.
My tentative plan: HH Explorer Ultralite - I'm too big for the Expedition - with the stock tarp because that's the way REI sells it. I know that the tarp is a little on the small side, but if I can keep everything dry in an itty-bitty tent like the Notch, I should be able to rig the tarp low and close and do the same with the hammock. If I'm wrong, upgrading the tarp won't be a big deal.
I'm thinking of starting out using either my 40* or 20* bag - according to the season - as a top quilt, and for bottom insulation using my ProLite pad (slightly underinflated, as Shug recommends), with some shoulder wings cut from a scrap piece of blue foam, and maybe adding a piece of Reflectix. (I've got about half a roll sitting around my "scrap materials" pile.)
I know that using a pad isn't optimal for comfort, but do folks think this will get me started?
Then, when I actually have some real money rather than gift card funny-money to spend, I can upgrade to one of the JRB underquilts that's designed for the HH, and still later switch to using a real top quilt rather than a sleeping bag. I'd probably take these steps only if I decide that hanging is going to become my primary system. Right now that appears unlikely, but people tell me this is my first taste of an addictive drug!
I'm not worried about deep winter at this point. Brush and sharp rock are much less of a problem then. I can stomp out a tent platform with my snowshoes, and I'm all set. As I said, I'm mostly looking at hammocking for flexibility in site selection.
So, does this plan make sense, or am I being clueless (as per usual) here?
Thanks to the helpful people around here!
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