Quote :

"Problem is, you are looking at $100+ for an ENO when you by suspension straps, bugnet, etc. That's a little too rich for my blood especially when I have gear that works already but its something I just want to try."

i've yet to NEED the bug net, but it's going to suck the first time i do

to be fair, you don't really need official straps...you can just use rope and knot it up



although i've heard the argument that straps do less damage to the tree...i've never seen any major damage using the above, though

Quote :

"Do you have the ultralight?"

they didn't call it that when i bought it...my grand trunks was on clearance for $17 at REI a couple of years ago...it was called a "double" at the time, but there's no way two people could fit in it (nor would i trust the material)

i replaced the stainless S-hooks with $5 climbing biners...they weigh about the same, but the biners have other uses and it makes take-down a teensy bit faster

i use the "official" rope in the image above, but only because it, too, was on clearance for something like $4...you could easily make it yourself for about the same cost

overall, it's okay...no better or worse than the eno i tried, but at 1/3 of the cost, it's great

i sleep well in it, and i made a tarp out of a generic, nylon groundcloth that was (surprise!) on clearance...it works well because it has loops at each corner that allow for it to be tied out

all together, i spent less than $40 for the whole setup...admittedly, it's not NEARLY as nice as the hennessey (which a friend has and loves...i've never used one)

6/13/2013 2:03:20 PM

Here is my camping hammock:

http://www.rei.com/product/809153/byer-traveller-lite-hammock
https://www.byerofmaine.com/products/amazonas/traveller-lite-hammock.html

They've changed the design slightly since I bought mine several years ago, looks like it has "drawstrings" on the end instead of the mess of para-cord that mine has (which is likely an improvement)

At only about $25 its a much better entry point than most of the ENOs. It probably doesn't have as many features, and when I'm using mine I notice that I tend to get it much tighter than others hanging their ENOs. The Nylon its made from leaves something to be desired from a breathability perspective if its really hot outside. Still, even despite its cheap price, I've never had durability issues and I've owned it for prob 10 years and my 200+ lbs dad uses it on occasion as well.

6/13/2013 2:04:44 PM

OMG, I freaking LOVE my Hennessey! (I have an ENO Too, but that's for fun at home). I haven't used my tent in years since I got my hammock. SO MUCH LIGHTER, built in bug shelter, comes with a tarp...it's so much more comfy to sleep off the ground, plus not worrying about mud and shit.

6/13/2013 2:21:47 PM

That Hennesy does look nice. I figure I will grab a cheapy and see how I like it with my military poncho as a tarp and graduate if it's something I want to roll with longterm. I do like the weight/space savings of a hammock over a tent.

6/13/2013 2:34:54 PM

What sold it for me is how a Henessey is situated. you actually sleep at an angle so the vestibule goes out like an offset diamond...it makes it more roomy and doesn't put weird dip strain on your back and neck. Plus the built in bug net...and it's fun entering it form the bottom, i like how my hammock gives birth to me every morning.

6/13/2013 2:37:31 PM

Yeah I've used my bug net quite a few times. Spiders, mosquitoes, etc. It's nice not having things crawl on you at night. The Hennessy Snakes Skins are AWESOME as well. Makes settings up and taking down so easy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-kmAxnYraA

The asymmetric design is really nice as well. Most other hammocks don't have it. It makes sleeping on your back A LOT easier. I noticed after trying to sleep in an Eno that it's a lot easier to sleep on your side and even back with a Hennessy.

Plus the way it's hung it's a lot wider open. You kind of feel like you're in a tent while in it compared to a traditional hammock that's wrapped around you.

[Edited on June 13, 2013 at 2:40 PM. Reason : s]

6/13/2013 2:39:04 PM

I'm mostly looking at a hammock to hang out in, and occasional light camping. The ENO may be my best bet.

6/13/2013 2:41:37 PM

yeah, there's no doubt in my mind that the hennessey is one of (if not the) best

if you just want it for hanging around, i'd go with the cheaper options, though...even eno is a bit pricey in my mind...i'd go for that $20 grand trunk at amazon

one day i suspect i'll pull the trigger on a hennessey, in any case

6/13/2013 3:05:59 PM

the hammock i'm sitting in (pic on the previous page) is an ENO doublenest. VERY solid and well worth it, IMO. Holds both my wife and I easily (we're both around 150 lbs) and I used some straps purchased from Amazon that cost about $16 bucks for the pair.

6/13/2013 3:39:54 PM

Do you guys sleep together in that hammock? I love my wife, but that sounds terrible.

6/13/2013 3:52:14 PM

^ agreed...fortunately, she shows no interest in it

i only use my hammock when i'm on trips she isn't interested in going on...when i take my dog, she just sleeps underneath me on the ground

6/13/2013 3:55:30 PM

^^we don't sleep in the hammock (unless we are just napping). we sleep in the tent. book reading and occasional sex is had in the hammock.

6/14/2013 10:07:12 AM

I'm looking to do a two day hike on the Mountain-To-Sea Trail near falls lake. I could use some advice from those of you who have experience. Looks like tent camping is at Shinleaf and Rolling View. I was thinking park a car at Blue Jay Center for Environmental Education and another at the park office off of 50. According to instructions I found it is ~8 miles from Blue Jay to Shinleaf and ~4 mile from Shinleaf to the park office. Does all this seem reasonable or am I way off?

I think I'm going to try to go up to the park office tomorrow (Saturday) and ask a few questions.

6/21/2013 2:54:20 PM

looking at heading to linville gorge this weekend. any recommendations on the best sites to camp? where's a good place to find a topo map? i read somewhere (maybe in this thread?) that the nat geo map sucks.

are there any water sources on the ridge? or should we just make sure to bring enough for 1.5-2 days?

[Edited on June 27, 2013 at 1:32 PM. Reason : we're doing the 22 mi loop]

6/27/2013 1:31:39 PM

TerdFerguson likes that area. i'll tell him to check this thread tonight.

6/27/2013 4:07:18 PM

There's a lot of good maps online:

http://www.linvillegorge.net/images/linvillemastermap.jpg

If I remember there's water right after the table rock parking lot if you're going north. I've done the entire ~27 mile loop and it was fun but challenging especially coming out of the gorge on the south west side. Lots of scrambling.

-Oh and there's water marked on the map I linked to. The little faucet thingy.

[Edited on June 27, 2013 at 4:11 PM. Reason : s]

6/27/2013 4:09:15 PM

well.. we had some car trouble once we got to the information cabin at linville and had to have it towed back to boone.

we did get in a couple good short hikes up to table rock and out past the chimneys (from the table rock parking area). nice area for sure, and i definitely plan on going back. some of those sections would have been hell with a fully loaded pack.

7/1/2013 5:16:28 PM

A buddy and I camped on the ridge near the chimnies. Not a bad hike even full loaded. Supposedly there is water near the site according to the maps, but we couldn't find it. Planning another linville trip soon, but we want to go into the gorge next time.

7/1/2013 6:01:54 PM

I now reside exactly 4 miles from the Grandfather Mtn profile trail. I will make the summit my bitch before the end of summer!

7/1/2013 6:42:57 PM

A few weekends ago some buddies and I camped at Boone creek and hiked the ~12 miles round trip from our camp ground to the mile high bridge and back. The peaks were awesome with unbelievable views, but that hike broke me off big time. I have never slept so well on the ground.

7/1/2013 7:21:19 PM

Headed to Pisgah Ranger District/Black Balsam from Thursday to Sunday morning. Kinda just accepted the rain and the fact it won't be very clear.

7/2/2013 11:58:51 AM

Hello from mile 1094 of the PCT!! I started at the southern terminus about 9 weeks ago. Sadly I have to leave soon because I am going back to school in the fall But here are some highlights (and lowlights lol!!)

The wind farm outside Tehachapi, CA. This desert section was VERY tough. Also part of the movie Hangover 3 was filmed at this wind farm! The big cloud on the horizon is smoke from a forest fire.



More desert.... I was sure glad to be done with this section!



The Vasquez. rocks, where some famous scenes from Star Trek were filmed (remember how all the alien planets looked just like Southern California? )



Now for the scenic part.... A beautiful pass in the high Sierras



This is Muir Pass



And Thousand Island Lake in Yosemite.



Here I am enjoying an all-natural whiskey soda at the Soda Springs in Yosemite!!





[Edited on July 4, 2013 at 11:46 PM. Reason : ....]

7/4/2013 11:43:49 PM

The fiancee and I just hiked up the Grandfather Mountain Profile Trail from hwy 105 up to Calloway Peak. It was only 7 miles round trip, but the peak is right near 6,000ft, so I figure we hiked up 3,000ft. Oh the pain! It's a free hike though if anyone is up this way.

7/16/2013 5:15:24 PM

How do other people deal with sweaty feet?

I wear medium-thickness Smart Wool hiking socks in my Asolo hiking boots, and once my socks get soaked I blister pretty bad. I usually just forgo boots and hike in my Chacos because of this, but I'd like to see if I can tackle the problem once and for all. I've tried a few different types of socks int he past, but since I think the root cause is my sweaty feet, I don't think different socks are going to help. How about powders or anti-chaff gels? I've also been reading recently that waterproof boots (with Gore-Tex, etc.) are actually part of the problem, since they don't allow your feet to breath as much as manufacturers would like you to believe. Anyone tried lightweight, non-waterproof hiking boots or shoes?

7/16/2013 6:09:39 PM

You pretty much answered your own question. I converted from Asolo boots to non goretex trail runners and haven't looked back. People seem to think you need boots for additional ankle support, but you shouldn't have any issues as long as you don't have weak ankles. Added bonus: think of all the excess energy you're burning with every step when you compare the additional weight in a hiking boot compared to a lightweight trail runner.

7/16/2013 10:23:23 PM

Yeah, I just wear the goretex Merrell Chameleon Stretch shoes and make sure my socks don't have any pilling on the heel. Bad pilling on socks has given me blisters in the past, but that's about it ever since I stopped wearing boots.

Wright socks are awesome. I have two pairs of them and I always go for them first over my other brands.

My boots only come out for ATV rides now.

[Edited on July 16, 2013 at 10:44 PM. Reason : l]

7/16/2013 10:42:08 PM

Does anyone have any backpacking recommendations for Michigan? I have some friends getting married in Grand Rapids next month and thought about taking a couple days off and exploring somewhere nearby. Isle Royale National Park looks like a really fun experience, but it would require about two days of travel for about 18 hours on the island.

7/18/2013 1:49:57 PM

Just finished Four Pass Loop! Photos to come!

7/18/2013 4:44:04 PM

A couple photos as promised:
















[Edited on July 19, 2013 at 3:18 PM. Reason : s]

7/19/2013 3:05:47 PM

And where is that? Because I am eyeballing my pack!

7/19/2013 6:57:38 PM

What do you mean eyeballing your pack? It's Four Pass Loop in Maroon Bells Wilderness Area south of Aspen, Colorado. I'll post the elevation profile later this weekend. It's essentially 4 ~12,500 ft passes over ~28 miles. We did a total of 11k ft of elevation gain across 3 days.

-For 3 nights / 4 days I got my 36L pack under 18lbs without food/water. ~30lbs with 4 liters of water, food, and a 5th of Macallan. It's nice having the smallest pack on the trail. I ran the last 3 miles with it back to Maroon lake yesterday then jumped in. Haha.

[Edited on July 20, 2013 at 12:24 AM. Reason : s]

7/20/2013 12:15:53 AM

Camping at Kerr Lake this weekend!

7/22/2013 9:36:02 AM

Quote :

"How do other people deal with sweaty feet? I wear medium-thickness Smart Wool hiking socks in my Asolo hiking boots, and once my socks get soaked I blister pretty bad. I usually just forgo boots and hike in my Chacos because of this, but I'd like to see if I can tackle the problem once and for all. I've tried a few different types of socks int he past, but since I think the root cause is my sweaty feet, I don't think different socks are going to help. How about powders or anti-chaff gels? I've also been reading recently that waterproof boots (with Gore-Tex, etc.) are actually part of the problem, since they don't allow your feet to breath as much as manufacturers would like you to believe. Anyone tried lightweight, non-waterproof hiking boots or shoes?"

Quote :

"You pretty much answered your own question. I converted from Asolo boots to non goretex trail runners and haven't looked back. People seem to think you need boots for additional ankle support, but you shouldn't have any issues as long as you don't have weak ankles. Added bonus: think of all the excess energy you're burning with every step when you compare the additional weight in a hiking boot compared to a lightweight trail runner. "

Ya, like I said I normally just hike in my Chacos. Thanks for the trail runner suggestions. Anyone actually use powders or gel?

[Edited on July 22, 2013 at 9:57 AM. Reason : no embedded quotes, eh? ]

7/22/2013 9:56:52 AM

Well I made it to Oregon!! That's 1700 miles on the PCT, and a convenient stopping point for me to start grad school! If anyone is curious about my gear, I made an un boxing sort of video. Note.... I forgot to show my fleece pullover, 1L water bottle (just a Dasani from the gas station) and fuel bottle (a 12oz Sprite bottle). Also in the desert I had an umbrella and another 2L water bag.



[Edited on August 15, 2013 at 12:44 AM. Reason : ...]

8/15/2013 12:35:38 AM

^good stuff Nerdchick, keepin it real with the supa lightweight.

8/15/2013 8:10:53 AM

HockeyRoman how tough was the Profile Trail at Grandfather? And have you gone beyond the Calloway Peak to Grandfather Trail or Underwood Trail? We are taking a group of Webelos Cub Scouts (4th & 5th Grade) up to camp at Julian Price Campground and then hiking on Grandfather Mountain. We originally considered some sort of hike either up Profile or Daniel Boone Scout, but I think they are going to be too much. We have currently decided on doing some of the shorter and simpler trails around Grandfather Mountain like Black Rock, Bridge and maybe a little bit of Grandfather, but I think the ladders and all will be too much for some of the smaller guys. Really looking forward to it though.

8/15/2013 8:25:26 AM

I think I've decided I just can't sleep in a hammock. I think I've got about 5-6 nights in the Hennessy at this point, and I can't remember a single time I've slept through the night. I'm a side/stomach sleeper. It's too bad since it's pretty convenient and I just tried out my whoopie slings for the first time. Got a Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1 tent being delivered today. Hopefully that fit my tall ass relatively comfortably.

8/15/2013 10:56:52 AM

Oh man, I want to hike Colorado again!!!! The columbines, man...the columbines...

8/15/2013 3:05:52 PM

Nighthawk, the Grandfather Mtn Profile Trail is listed as strenuous. The first 1/2-3/4mi are very easy and casual, but after that it's a 3,000ft climb over the next 2 1/2mi. A good bit of the trail is basically climbing rocks which may be slippery. The other trail you mentioned does have a few ladders, but the climb is more gradual the whole way up. I have only done the Profile Trail thus far along with the Grandmother View trail over near the swinging bridge. You can hike to the bridge from Calloway Gap, but it's another 2 miles and has various ladders and cables to climb.

8/15/2013 4:46:57 PM

Going to be camping on Bear Island at Hammocks Beach State Park next month! VERY excited. Going to kayak in and stay for the weekend (for my anniversary). Bought a few neat camping accessories like a 4 piece cook pot set that all nests together really nicely and the UCO Candle Lantern (with LED).

8/16/2013 4:53:54 PM

Headed to grandfather mountain for a one nightder this morning. Lucky for me I get to test how water proof my gear is.

8/17/2013 6:34:43 AM

Did some section hiking along the Appalachian Trail in CT and NY. Parked a car in Pawling, NY and then drove up to Kent, CT to start the hike.

At mile 8 of about 13 in day one of the hike.


We camped near Wiley Shelter just over the NY border.


Feeling pretty awesome that we finished almost 9 miles on day two (but I think more excited about being back at a car)

8/19/2013 11:09:27 AM

^How did you like Kent...and how are you so clean day 8???

8/19/2013 11:39:32 AM

*Mile 8, not day 8. I wouldn't survive 8 days of hiking.

We have to do weekend section hikes; 13 miles on day one, camped overnight, then 9 miles on day two.

Kent was a quaint little town. We went to Kent Falls State Park on Sunday; not too much to see but nice.

[Edited on August 19, 2013 at 1:39 PM. Reason : Kent]

8/19/2013 1:37:43 PM

I did Kent to Massachusetts (Berkshires) last year...very pretty area

8/19/2013 4:28:05 PM

Back on the east coast! Finished the state of California. Maybe next year I'll come back for a full thru. I can't get enough!!

The infamous Hat Creek Rim, 29 hot hot miles with no water. Genius hiker Cheryl Strayed only brought 2 quarts to do this section!



An inspiring view of Mt Shasta



Scary clouds! One of only 5 or so nights I didn't cowboy camp



The Marble Wilderness, one of the most beautiful sections of the whole trail



And my typical cowboy camp setup



[Edited on August 25, 2013 at 11:41 AM. Reason : .....]

8/25/2013 11:40:31 AM

Anyone done Long's Peak? Apparently the 10-11 hour hike should be started by 3-4am. Hoping to knock it out next month. Did Bierstadt mountain this past weekend. Crowded but beautiful weather!

http://www.14ers.com/routemain.php?route=long1&peak=Longs+Peak

8/26/2013 3:38:23 PM

i hate it when you post in this thread...

...because i don't live in colorado and you make me think there's something around here that i haven't done

8/27/2013 10:08:41 AM

Take a trip to Colorado! It's awesome!

8/27/2013 11:02:25 AM

I did the Pemi Loop in NH over three days last weekend. I don't have a lot of backpacking experience, but it was really nice and I'm itching to do some more.

8/28/2013 11:26:48 AM