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Hammock Camping??
- Thread starter akee
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- Jan 7, 2003
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Tell us more about your adventure and we'll be happy to give you advice.
I love hammocks. The one I use is made of hang glider nylon and it packs down into a 4x7 package that weighs very little. In my area of Brazil there are very few mosquitos. I just string it up with a seperate line over top and stretch a tarp over if its going to rain.
Hammocks can be very cold on your back if the temp drops. I have strung up a poncho liner outside the back of the hammock with paracord so I can pull the cord and snug the blanket up to my back under the hammock. This works very well. I used it like that this spring in Pennsylvania hiking in the Appalachians and it worked great. It was FAR warmer ths way than laid inside the hammock. The temp was about 50 at night and I slept fine.
In hot weather the hammock is fantastic. They allow you to sleep just about anywhere you have trees. Stay away from the old US military jungle hammock, and the cheap nylon net type. The US military Army hammock is very heavy, especially when wet and the net ones are too small for children. Mac
I love hammocks. The one I use is made of hang glider nylon and it packs down into a 4x7 package that weighs very little. In my area of Brazil there are very few mosquitos. I just string it up with a seperate line over top and stretch a tarp over if its going to rain.
Hammocks can be very cold on your back if the temp drops. I have strung up a poncho liner outside the back of the hammock with paracord so I can pull the cord and snug the blanket up to my back under the hammock. This works very well. I used it like that this spring in Pennsylvania hiking in the Appalachians and it worked great. It was FAR warmer ths way than laid inside the hammock. The temp was about 50 at night and I slept fine.
In hot weather the hammock is fantastic. They allow you to sleep just about anywhere you have trees. Stay away from the old US military jungle hammock, and the cheap nylon net type. The US military Army hammock is very heavy, especially when wet and the net ones are too small for children. Mac
Check out the Hennesey Hammock They are a 'shelter' type hammock. I know there are other brands, but I can't seem to find them right now.
lawson hammocks Found one.
Clark Jungle Hammock
And another.
lawson hammocks Found one.
Clark Jungle Hammock
And another.
I've had good luck with that version of the military jungle hammock called a M1965. It was developed for Vietnam. Has a flat nylon bed and very fine mosquito netting "tent". It has no integral roof--that is rigged by other means--usually a poncho. It's predecessor--used in WWII--is what most people term a military jungle hammock since it is more readily found in surplus shops. That one is made from canvas, has a rubberized roof, and is very heavy. Two different hammocks entirely. You may also run into a successor to the M1965--later issued by the military--which is just a flat piece of nylon with two ropes running down the sides--don't bother with that one either. As for size, the M1965 will fit in a butt pack.
The M1965 was not made in large numbers and was usually found only in either Vietnam or other tropic commands (Panama or PI). I got mine as a kid in Panama--where I found that it worked as advertised. They are around if you look. They are a best-in-class hammock. The commercial versions that call themselves jungle hammocks are banking on word-of-mouth advertising from vets who used the real one.
The M1965 was not made in large numbers and was usually found only in either Vietnam or other tropic commands (Panama or PI). I got mine as a kid in Panama--where I found that it worked as advertised. They are around if you look. They are a best-in-class hammock. The commercial versions that call themselves jungle hammocks are banking on word-of-mouth advertising from vets who used the real one.
I ONLY use a hammock for camping, hot or cold weather. In warm weather (here in Ga, so warm is around 75+) I carry a small fleece sleeping bag. In cold weather (75 and less) I carry my old army bag. Sure, 75 may sound warm to some, but I can always unzip it. I also usually carry a poncho liner. I own three hammocks, each with a different function. The one I normally use for day trips has spreader bars. The camping one is a double man hammock, no spreader bars...the third stays strung up in the backyard (old n ratty anyway).
The gear I carry with the hammock is a painters drop cloth in thick plastic; it's foldable, reusable, waterproof, windproof, warm like a greenhouse and a bug deterent. In fact, Ive never had a problem with bugs because I dont think they can figuire out how to get in. In addition, one can see outside and hear the rain if it rains.
The wind and drape of the plastic usually is from side of the hammock to side of the hammock, forming a miniature tent. One can stow his gear beneath the plastic and put rocks on the sides to more completely keep the ground dry (dont stow bags in the "tent" in bear country btw). I find this setup to be the most convenient and cheap way to go, as well as the most comfortable (no rocks and roots in your back)
The gear I carry with the hammock is a painters drop cloth in thick plastic; it's foldable, reusable, waterproof, windproof, warm like a greenhouse and a bug deterent. In fact, Ive never had a problem with bugs because I dont think they can figuire out how to get in. In addition, one can see outside and hear the rain if it rains.
The wind and drape of the plastic usually is from side of the hammock to side of the hammock, forming a miniature tent. One can stow his gear beneath the plastic and put rocks on the sides to more completely keep the ground dry (dont stow bags in the "tent" in bear country btw). I find this setup to be the most convenient and cheap way to go, as well as the most comfortable (no rocks and roots in your back)
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IlikeSA,
It sounds like out hammok set-up is about the same. The only time I have ever had a problem using a simple plastic tarp over my hammock was in rainy season in Brazil. A tropical dounpour is a force to be reconed with!
I ususally string my hammock ropes through my spare poncho head-hole on the side that will get the rain. I rotate the hood of the poncho to cover the strings of the hammock so they don't turn into aquducts to wet my back. I then secure the edges of the poncho to the tarp with tape or cord. This system works very well. Mac (BTW I Like SA too)
It sounds like out hammok set-up is about the same. The only time I have ever had a problem using a simple plastic tarp over my hammock was in rainy season in Brazil. A tropical dounpour is a force to be reconed with!
I ususally string my hammock ropes through my spare poncho head-hole on the side that will get the rain. I rotate the hood of the poncho to cover the strings of the hammock so they don't turn into aquducts to wet my back. I then secure the edges of the poncho to the tarp with tape or cord. This system works very well. Mac (BTW I Like SA too)
crossada
Platinum Member
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- May 16, 2004
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i bought not too long ago a ww2 style jungle hammock from brigade quartermasters but have not had a chance to try it. i agree it is heavy but does it have other qc problems worth mentioning before i take it out sometime?
thanks in advance
thanks in advance
witchhunter said:
You should find no serviceabilty problems if it is new and official issue. It is canvas, so as long as it appears ok, you should be good to go. I might replace the suspension cordage with nylon. Setting one up correctly is where you'll reap the benefits. Weave spreader bars (stout sticks) at the hammock ends to keep it spread flat (and not like a tube). Tie it off as taut as you can make it. It should be board hard with minimum droop. Height about 18" above ground (feet on the ground when you sit in it). If, when you get in, the sides roll up and you slide to the center, it's not tight enough.
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2004
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- 90
this is the one that i use. http://www.eaglesnestoutfit.com/doublehammock.html#dh
i like the double for the extra room, or in case some wood nymph comes along. i changed out the cheap steel clips for real climbing biners to shave some weight and add strength. i like that the stuff sack is attached to the side so that i don't loss it and it makes a great place to put my glasses. i often use mine while pulling call at the rescue squad. string it between 2 trucks and it's time to sleep. in cold weather, i lay a foam pad inside it. this certainly adds some warmth, though honestly i mostly use it in the summer.
k
i like the double for the extra room, or in case some wood nymph comes along. i changed out the cheap steel clips for real climbing biners to shave some weight and add strength. i like that the stuff sack is attached to the side so that i don't loss it and it makes a great place to put my glasses. i often use mine while pulling call at the rescue squad. string it between 2 trucks and it's time to sleep. in cold weather, i lay a foam pad inside it. this certainly adds some warmth, though honestly i mostly use it in the summer.
k
pict said:
The idea with the poncho is a good one. The problem with the tarp is that its not as waterproof nor see through through. My hammock has a ring that holds the main tying string to the smaller strings, that ring usually keeps the rain off the strings. I guess ya'll do get signifigcantly more rainfall down there too. Sounds like a good setup for down there, Ill have to remember it if I ever make it to South America. Yes, SA (Springfield Armory) buys its frames from Imbel in Brazil, and thats what I was referring to in my sn. But I guess I like South America too
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Fraser,
The PA trail is legendary for rocks! The trip we did was in St. Anthony's Wilderness, the second largest roadless tract in PA. Once you get off the trail you own the place. The area is SO rocky that nobody ever leaves the trail. My brother and I spent a few days there totally off trail stealth camping this spring. I wanted to get some practice in with map and compass. We had a great time. If you ever get to central PA St Anthony's is a great place to do survival training. We spent 8 days there once living of the fat 'o the land.
It was his first time camping in hammocks. I don't think I'll ever camp any other way if given a choice. The only time I don't use a hammock is at high elevations in Brazil. There aren't any trees! Mac
The PA trail is legendary for rocks! The trip we did was in St. Anthony's Wilderness, the second largest roadless tract in PA. Once you get off the trail you own the place. The area is SO rocky that nobody ever leaves the trail. My brother and I spent a few days there totally off trail stealth camping this spring. I wanted to get some practice in with map and compass. We had a great time. If you ever get to central PA St Anthony's is a great place to do survival training. We spent 8 days there once living of the fat 'o the land.
It was his first time camping in hammocks. I don't think I'll ever camp any other way if given a choice. The only time I don't use a hammock is at high elevations in Brazil. There aren't any trees! Mac
hammocks are easy to make but for an all around hammock the Hennessy is hard to beat. Cant beat the bug protecting. I dont have one yet but underquilts of hammock surrounds seem the be the best way to deal with cold weather. A pad is hard to get in place and tnds to scoot out from under you. Also pad needs to be wider than standard 20 in pad. I did a reiew on a few Hennessys and a Crazy Crib LEX. this will take you to the Hennessy review
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/rev...Hennessy_Expedition_Asym_Hammock/Coy Starnes/
good luck
Coy Boy
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/rev...Hennessy_Expedition_Asym_Hammock/Coy Starnes/
good luck
Coy Boy
Akee:
Check these out as well. Nicely-made and reasonably priced. I have both models. With this type of hammock, you can use closed-cell foam pads easily. They don't have to be wider than normal either. Just cut a six-foot pad into two three-foot pieces. Then put these in the hammock side-by-side or in a T shape.
www.mosquitohammock.com
Bear
Check these out as well. Nicely-made and reasonably priced. I have both models. With this type of hammock, you can use closed-cell foam pads easily. They don't have to be wider than normal either. Just cut a six-foot pad into two three-foot pieces. Then put these in the hammock side-by-side or in a T shape.
www.mosquitohammock.com
Bear
Akee:
I think I have the Expedition model, but I'm not certain. It's one of the earlier models, with a thicker material on the bottom. Due to the coarseness of the weave, mosquitos can bite you through it. Not very handy.
I also have the Ultralight Backpacker model, and it has a thinner but finer material on the bottom. The mosquitos can't bite through it.
You might want to consider that when choosing a model. It looks like the 210 dernier fabric will get you bitten but the 70 or 30 dernier fabric will keep you safe.
You could always treat the 210 dernier bottoms with permethrin, which is what I ended up doing.
Of course, this will only matter in the summer, when you're not using a pad or hanging anything under the hammock.
Bear
I think I have the Expedition model, but I'm not certain. It's one of the earlier models, with a thicker material on the bottom. Due to the coarseness of the weave, mosquitos can bite you through it. Not very handy.
I also have the Ultralight Backpacker model, and it has a thinner but finer material on the bottom. The mosquitos can't bite through it.
You might want to consider that when choosing a model. It looks like the 210 dernier fabric will get you bitten but the 70 or 30 dernier fabric will keep you safe.
You could always treat the 210 dernier bottoms with permethrin, which is what I ended up doing.
Of course, this will only matter in the summer, when you're not using a pad or hanging anything under the hammock.
Bear