Hammocks are useless above treeline, and the thought of being zipped into a
bag AND stuffed into a hammock when the inevitable bear shows up in camp
doesn't doesn't work for me. I can just imagine a juvenile bear being
entertained by the screaming swinging mesh bag of humanstink as they bat at
it, waiting for a Snickers bar to fall out.. Thanks for the thoughts
though. I'll be using a one-man bivy sack with vestibule that comes out to
less than 3 pounds with fly. Freestanding, absolutely mosquito proof, and a
bit less entertaining to bears. Bears are just about the biggest worry on
this trail. Most sections require an approved bear-proof cannister for food
storage or you will be escorted from the wilderness. I've been investigated
by black bears almost every time I've been on the Muir Trail. They seem
averse to actually sticking their nose into a tent, though they'll sniff all
around it and nudge it a bit. So far my best defense has been proper food
storage, similar body size, more powerful stink, and a snore that sounds
like an enraged Grizzley.
Glen
>>> <http://hennessyhammock.com/>
>>
>> I have been using a Hennessy hammock for 4-5 years, initially for canoe
>> camping, and now for all camping. I recently got one for my wife as
>> well.
>> They are remarkably comfortable and convenient. I replaced the stock fly
>> with an 8'x10' silinylon tarp, which I extend 7' out one side for a
>> covered
>> working space. (The hammock also forms a sling chair under the tarp
>> extension.)
>>
>> The only problem with the hammock is lack of insulation on the bottom.
>> It
>> is cold even in modestly cool weather, as it squishes the down in the
>> sleeping bag flat all around the sides, not just on the bottom. This
>> might
>> not be a problem with synthetic bags; I don't know. I have fussed with
>> various alternative pads. Most are not wide enough to insulate the
>> sides.
>> Some creativity can probably solve this problem.
>
> Michael,
> I find it amusing to hear them described as "first" at anything. I
> grew up in northeast Brazil and slept in a real hammock for many
> years. The Hennessy looks like a pale imitation. Good hammocks are
> made of a coarse weave cotton fabric, have a fringe along the sides,
> and do NOT have "spreader bars". The fringes are more than decoration,
> properly done, they form an available barrier that mosquitos prefer
> not to go through. Yes, they would fit, no, they don't do it. They
> roll down to the size of a smallish sleeping bag and can be a great
> way to go camping. An extra rope above the hammock allows for a rain
> fly when necessary. Once you have learned to sleep diagonally so you
> can control the level, they are very comfortable and I have used them
> in conjunction with sleeping bags when the temps dropped.
> David Lieb
_______________________________________________
Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html
http://www.team.net/archive
http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/spridgets
|