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Shroomism
Space Travellin


Registered: 02/13/00
Posts: 66,015
Loc: 9th Dimension
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The tents of the future - Hammocks!
#4562702 - 08/21/05 01:20 PM (18 years, 5 months ago) |
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Hey guys... I've been hanging out a lot at - http://www.whiteblaze.net It's a forum for Appalachian Trail Hikers. I've learned a ton of stuff already.. mostly how to travel lightweight. I wish I knew some of this stuff before I made my major gear purchases a few months ago.
So most of these guys are lightweight shelter advocates - mostly hammock and tarp tents. I was stuck in my tent ways.. but I have recently seen the light. First thing was that I remembered sleeping in a hammock this summer... and it was probably the most restful nap I have ever taken.
Anyway.. I have decided on the supreme shelter - the hennessy hammock What are the advantages of a hammock? - They are very lightweight (most are >2 lbs with everything.) - They pack very small - They comply with the Leave No Trace ethic. (They don't damage the ground or trees) - Sleeping in a hammock is better for your back - No need to find even ground - ie - No worries about sleeping on rocks, sticks, uneven ground, etc. - No worries about waking up in the middle of a stream, water leaking in from ground, etc. - They offer complete protection from both bugs and the elements as it has a full silnylon fly with no-seeum mesh that surrounds the hammock. - You can set up a hammock in many places where you could never set up a tent. - Hennessy hammocks are unique, as you enter the hammock through a slit in the bottom.. when you get inside your body weight automatically snaps it shut. - Superb Ventilation.. so condensation is not an issue. - You sleep in ultimate comfort AND you have a beautiful bug free view of the outside.
There is really only one con: - More vulnerable to high winds and cold underneath.. as you don't have the ground protecting you from wind.. so in the cold seasons you need to add adequate insulation to the hammock under you. All this really means is bringing a down "under-quilt" and a sleeping pad or something similar. - If on the rare case that you cannot find trees to hang them on (like in the desert or high on mountains).. you can use sticks or hiking poles.. and set it up on the ground like a bivy.
These things are truly amazing.. a revolution in backpacking light
Everyone should check these out - http://www.hennessyhammock.com I'm going with the Explorer Ultralight A-Sym

As for rain gear.. the best I have found is Frogg Toggs - http://www.backcountry-equipment.com/clothing/frogg-toggs/pro-action.html Thru-Hikers on the Appalachian Trail swear by them. Expensive, but very lightweight.. completely waterproof AND breathable, and durable.
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peeper
Even stranger


Registered: 01/07/05
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Re: The tents of the future - Hammocks! [Re: Shroomism]
#4566406 - 08/22/05 12:23 PM (18 years, 5 months ago) |
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I'll have to check that out. I go on day hikes but really want to get into backpacking.
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kindkesey
take it further


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Re: The tents of the future - Hammocks! [Re: peeper]
#4567291 - 08/22/05 05:10 PM (18 years, 5 months ago) |
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That be awsome for solo.... i've been checking those out too!
But i'm waiting for the EMS Digi Dome basecamp tent, this tent will feature solar panels wired in (through a highly CLASSIFIED portal technology) to a tranformer that leads to a digital battery. Then i'll be able to plug in my cappuccino machine! All in under 10 pounds!
But i don't think you'd wanta haul that down the App!
-------------------- Stay Kool, and enjoy the bus ride.....
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Shroomism
Space Travellin


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Re: The tents of the future - Hammocks! [Re: kindkesey]
#4580579 - 08/25/05 04:50 PM (18 years, 5 months ago) |
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Solar panels?? 10 pounds 
The guys on that forum chewed me out when I told them I was lugging around a tent that weighs more than 5 pounds. There are some serious lightweight freaks there.. like.. getting their base pack to under 10 pounds.. that's shelter, sleeping bag, pack, cookware, stove..everything but food, water, and fuel.. altogether under 10 pounds. Bunch o' freaks. Mine is probably around 20-25.. and I cut out a lot of stuff.
But I should be getting this super pimp hammock soon.. can't wait to test it out.
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dblaney
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Re: The tents of the future - Hammocks! [Re: Shroomism]
#4585011 - 08/26/05 06:43 PM (18 years, 5 months ago) |
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The Hennessey Hammock is really cool, but as you say, the main downfalls are that it can be a challenge when it's windy, rainy, or cold. With practice, you can set it up and have it work well even in the rain or wind. The cold isn't so bad as long as you have that extra padding (and extra weight).
-------------------- "What is in us that turns a deaf ear to the cries of human suffering?" "Belief is a beautiful armor But makes for the heaviest sword" - John Mayer Making the noise "penicillin" is no substitute for actually taking penicillin. "This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow it." -Abraham Lincoln
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Shroomism
Space Travellin


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Re: The tents of the future - Hammocks! [Re: dblaney]
#4585730 - 08/26/05 10:21 PM (18 years, 5 months ago) |
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Yeah I hear it takes a little bit of skill to perfect the technique of setting it up properly.. but I am ordering one with the extra large hex fly.. so that should void with the rain issue, and yeah carry an underquilt or something when it is cold.
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mycofile
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Re: The tents of the future - Hammocks! [Re: Shroomism]
#4596755 - 08/29/05 09:22 PM (18 years, 5 months ago) |
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Quote:
you can use sticks or hiking poles.. and set it up on the ground like a bivy.
Do you have to dig a tunnel to enter through the bottom? If so, how much does your shovel weigh?
-------------------- "From a certain point of view" -Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi PM me with any cultivation questions. I just looked at my profile and realized I had a website at one point in time on geocities, it's not there anymore and I have no idea what I had on it. Anybody remember my website from several years aga? PM if so please.
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Shroomism
Space Travellin


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Re: The tents of the future - Hammocks! [Re: mycofile]
#4597246 - 08/29/05 10:54 PM (18 years, 5 months ago) |
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no, no digging.. you would just get in through the top your poles would just be the supports for the tarp-
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mycofile
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Re: The tents of the future - Hammocks! [Re: Shroomism]
#4599086 - 08/30/05 01:34 PM (18 years, 5 months ago) |
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Ahh, OK, I've always wondered when I've seen them in catalogs how you would do that. I didn't know you could get in from the top because all they talk about is that neeto-skeeto self closing entry on the bottom....
-------------------- "From a certain point of view" -Jedi Master Obi Wan Kenobi PM me with any cultivation questions. I just looked at my profile and realized I had a website at one point in time on geocities, it's not there anymore and I have no idea what I had on it. Anybody remember my website from several years aga? PM if so please.
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Shroomism
Space Travellin


Registered: 02/13/00
Posts: 66,015
Loc: 9th Dimension
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Re: The tents of the future - Hammocks! [Re: mycofile]
#4600203 - 08/30/05 06:05 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
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well it looks like you could still get in the bottom as the poles are holding the ends up.. but I imagine that no-see-um mesh can be moved out of the way to get in.
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