Trying out the new hammock 1/30-1/31

[rally_toad]

Well this is the earliest I was able to get out, and I wanted to go somewhere were I could setup the hammock and try it out. We're gonna leave in the afternoon after 3:30, so I dont want to hike more than 5 or so miles before setting up camp, just want to get in a quick backpack to try it out.

Edit: This will be a quick one out to Hackberry spring from the horse lot, just over a mile, we will camp out at the large site just across from the spring, in the morning we can choose to finish the loop(4 miles) or just hike the mile back to the car. The purpose of this trip is not too hike or explore but just try out the hammock, hang and generally have a good time, will plan on packing a fireplace log or two and some other amenities we dont usually bring on longer hikes. The area is beautiful and this should be a good relaxing time. Already got one person committed I think, and possibly one or two others coming as well.

[Crocodile Ryan]

I think your gonna be pushing it to really get anywhere leaving at 330, its rush hour traffic, and the suns been setting at 530-6pm, maybe just camp at the TH friday night and do a day hike or a quick overnighter Sat-Sun

As far as places to go, boulder canyon popped into my head, but theres not really any trees to hang

maybe something near camp verde or globe??

[Crocodile Ryan]

Oh I forgot to ask, what hammock did ya pick up?

[rally_toad]

Its the hennesy expedition asym, if all else fails I'll be just heading out to Hackberry for the night, I dont want to go far, and just want to give the hammock a try.

[rushthezeppelin]

Ya dude you should just do a car camp. That way you can bring loads of amenities.

[rally_toad]

well if I did the hike to Hackberry it basically would be a car camp, its just over a mile from the car, I think I found the perfect two trees to string my new hammock from anyway, and this is most likely what I'll do if no one has any other suggestions.

[rushthezeppelin]

Oohhh and BTW be prepared to get some AMAZING sleep. Last night down in Sycamore Canyon I slept better than I have probably since I moved out of my parents house like 4 years ago. On the trail I'm usually waking up every 1-2 hours for no damn reason but I only woke up once in the middle of the night in my hammock. Woke up again and pulled my beanie up and realized it was already 7:30.......didn't dream at all though but that means I was in deep sleep most of the night. I'm about to whoop out my studfinder and put metal eye hooks in my wall so I can hang everynight

[tonyp]

I'm kinda hoping there's more than one pair of trees...
Tony

[rally_toad]

lots of trees in the area, should be plenty of places to hang. If not no big deal either. We wont be gone that long so even people with a busy schedule could make this one.

[tonyp]

Alas, my children have scheduled themselves a sleepover at my house, and I just can't leave my wife alone with that in good conscience.
Tony

[rushthezeppelin]

So did it come in yet alex?

[rally_toad]

ya it came. We'll see how it works out tonight. I still need to get the hang of setting it up and whatnot. Once I get the hang of it I should be good to go.

[te_wa]

most people have no problems with the hennessy- you'll have to learn the "hennessy" knot or have the suspension modded to accept a no-knot approach
just dont pull it too tight, which most beginners tend to do. you'll soon find the stock fly to be almost useless in anything but vertical, light rain. then, you can upgrade to an OES 'outdoor equipment supplier' MacCat tarp made in Rochester, NY by Brian McMillan who is a hanger as well.
check out my "hammock as camping shelters" in the articles section of the navigation menu

[rushthezeppelin]

I highly suggest modding your suspension system. I had to do a truckers hitch for my stock suspension on my claytor and quickly updated that for the webbing and cinch buckle system that Mike installed. I now have mine setup to where all I have to do is throw the suspension straps (still attached to the hammock) around the tree and clip a biner on the webbing around itself then adjust for the right sag at my cinch buckles......REI has some good light biners....I got the Camp Nanos because they weigh slightly less than an ounce each....8.95 a pop I think. Now my setup probably only takes about a minute or so and then another 2 or so for my tarp. It's nice to be lounging in your hammock while people are still trying to get their first tent pole in

[te_wa]

the easiest way to mod a Hennessy is to take the amsteel (thats the gray braided line) and tie a prusik over a cinch buckle - then your tree hugger slides into the cinch, and youre done. no knots.
also, the camp nano biners are very good.

[rushthezeppelin]

Well you have to tie a slippery half hitch after the cinch buckle but that takes all of a few seconds.

[te_wa]

here's a pic of the mod, this one using SMC rap rings. same concept.

[te_wa]

so did you get out and use it and what did you think?

[rally_toad]

I used it. Still getting the "hang" of it so to speak. What pad do you recomend using with a hammock?

[rushthezeppelin]

I think any pad is going to be a pain in a Hennesy unless you can create a pocket to keep it in place. The whole bottom entry thing doesn't help......seems like the supershelter or a UQ are gonna be your best options on that but Tyler would probably know better since he's had one for a year. If you did by chance do a zipper mod to make it top entry you might be able to do what I do which is get one of the super wide blue wally world pads and use that. It's so wide it stays in place and opens up my hammock preventing shoulder compression. Also very light.