Camping checklist?

[KidVermicious]

Plus I'm getting tired of having to warranty my Big Agnes pads every other time we use them. Would hate to get on the trail and lose a pad within the first couple days.

That bad, huh?

You guys have a bug net over these hammocks? Wife has wanted one for a while now, but never thought of it as tent replacement.

Not yet, but we camp in the desert a lot where mosquitoes aren't normally a problem. I'm working on making silnylon rain flies first, then I'll worry about bug nets.

They're a great tent replacement. I don't need level ground, I'm up off the wet duff, and I sleep like a baby with no soreness when I wake up. They're also a lighter setup than most backpacking tents, and even lighter if you're expecting good weather and don't bother with a fly. You give up a couple things, privacy being the big one when you're camping with groups, but I just drop one side of my fly or wander off into the woods if I need to change and there's wimminfolk present.

Check out hammockforums.net for inspiration.

 

[Hepar]

I highly recommend a small table. Comes in super handy to put your burner on or anything else. They make some great small collapsable tables meant for camping.

 

[Nunyabiz]

This is what my truck looks like going camping, course this was more than just "overnight", this was a 27 day trip.
My cargo is packed like this from back door to back of front seats, top to bottom side to side.
No way we could have slept in the cargo area.

 

[Nunyabiz]

That bad, huh?



Not yet, but we camp in the desert a lot where mosquitoes aren't normally a problem. I'm working on making silnylon rain flies first, then I'll worry about bug nets.

They're a great tent replacement. I don't need level ground, I'm up off the wet duff, and I sleep like a baby with no soreness when I wake up. They're also a lighter setup than most backpacking tents, and even lighter if you're expecting good weather and don't bother with a fly. You give up a couple things, privacy being the big one when you're camping with groups, but I just drop one side of my fly or wander off into the woods if I need to change and there's wimminfolk present.

Check out hammockforums.net for inspiration.

I used to have a really nice Jungle Hammock tent about 30 years ago, worked great.
It was I think army surplus, all canvass, canvass roof and nice skeeter netting all around. It was probably WWII surplus being all heavy canvass but built like a tank.
Very comfortable, and went through numerous hard rains and strong winds and stayed dry as a bone.
I got so that I could get it up and ready to sleep in in about 1 minute.

 

[MStudt]

That bad, huh?

As of late yeah. I had their original design for the Insulated Air Core and it lasted me years. I warrantied that one about a year ago, and now I'm my 4th pad of this year.

 

[GhostRing]

Here's a decent checklist I use when doing a fairly typical camping weekend:

http://www.rei.com/content/dam/documents/pdf/Gear%20Checklists/Printer%20Friendly/checklist-camping.pdf

 

[jstim]

I've got a Katadyn gravity filter that I love. Same concept, just different company. No setting up a tent for us (hopefully). I've finally convinced my wife to give a hammock a try at the end of the month. Might the easiest setup ever if she likes it.

If you want a great hammock experience check out the ENO hammocks. The double nest is great for two, but there is a seam in the middle, they also have the double deluxe though...never heard any seam issues there. I want a jungle nest though, keeps the mosquitos away with a built in fly.

The Exped makes great sleeping pads...agreed went through 2 Big Agnes pads, and upgraded to the Exped 9 Downmat..it was worth it to me, but at the time I was using it sleeping on the ground a lot more in Alaska.

I agree with the guys above, the JetBoil was a little pricey at $100, but, I dont burn my fingers getting my water hot, and I always have a huge cup. :bounce:

I do a lot of backpacking, so I have gear falling out of my ears...tents, hammocks, sleeping pads, and sleeping bags, packs etc. If you are going to get camping gear, albeit a little more expensive, GO THROUGH REI! The return policy is great, and if you ever have ANY questions, the people are knowledgeable, and helpful.

 

[MStudt]

If you want a great hammock experience check out the ENO hammocks. The double nest is great for two, but there is a seam in the middle, they also have the double deluxe though...never heard any seam issues there. I want a jungle nest though, keeps the mosquitos away with a built in fly.

The Exped makes great sleeping pads...agreed went through 2 Big Agnes pads, and upgraded to the Exped 9 Downmat..it was worth it to me, but at the time I was using it sleeping on the ground a lot more in Alaska.

I agree with the guys above, the JetBoil was a little pricey at $100, but, I dont burn my fingers getting my water hot, and I always have a huge cup. :bounce:

I do a lot of backpacking, so I have gear falling out of my ears...tents, hammocks, sleeping pads, and sleeping bags, packs etc. If you are going to get camping gear, albeit a little more expensive, GO THROUGH REI! The return policy is great, and if you ever have ANY questions, the people are knowledgeable, and helpful.

I will have to disagree with your ENO statement. Even though ENO is one of my sponsors for my AT thru-hike. For a great sleep in a hammock, the key is finding one that is longer. The ENO hammocks are only 9'4" for the single or the double. If you want to stick with a mass producer try Grand Trunk. Grand Trunk hammocks are 10'6" for the single and double. If you're wanting to seriously get into hammock backpacking and care about weight. Look into either Warbonnet or BIAS. You can also buy ultra-lite hammocks from cottage company's off of Hammock Forums. My current set-up for my hammock and bug net weigh less than an ENO single by itself. So many people get into hammocking and can't believe how comfortable it is. The comfort level in a hammock is far greater than sleeping on the ground, and if you know how to properly hang your hammock it's even more comfortable. Over the last 6 months I've really become a hammock junkie it seems like.

 

[KidVermicious]

I will have to disagree with your ENO statement. Even though ENO is one of my sponsors for my AT thru-hike. For a great sleep in a hammock, the key is finding one that is longer. The ENO hammocks are only 9'4" for the single or the double. If you want to stick with a mass producer try Grand Trunk. Grand Trunk hammocks are 10'6" for the single and double. If you're wanting to seriously get into hammock backpacking and care about weight. Look into either Warbonnet or BIAS. You can also buy ultra-lite hammocks from cottage company's off of Hammock Forums. My current set-up for my hammock and bug net weigh less than an ENO single by itself. So many people get into hammocking and can't believe how comfortable it is. The comfort level in a hammock is far greater than sleeping on the ground, and if you know how to properly hang your hammock it's even more comfortable. Over the last 6 months I've really become a hammock junkie it seems like.

All of this is absolutely true. Most mass-produced hammocks are too short for any but the shortest hammockers. I'm 6'4", and I had to make my own hammock out of a 12 foot tablecloth to get the right length to hang comfortably (and I'm thinking about going longer). My ENO and Grand Trunk slings were sorta comfy, but my $20 taffeta tablecloth is amazing. To be comfy, you have to hang crosswise, not straight end to end (brazilian style). The longer your hammock is, the better an angle you can get, and the better your angle, the flatter you can lie.

I think the ideal hammock is the one you make for yourself. You might have to experiment a little, but you can get the materials for super cheap and put them together easily and when you're done you have exactly what you want. A mass produced hammock is almost never going to be perfect for anybody, and a custom job from a cottage manufacturer is $$$.

When MStudt talks about being a junky, he's not kidding. Not too long ago a crew of us ganged up on him in his AT hiking thread and began beating him about the head until he grudgingly admitted that maybe he'd give this hammock stuff a shot. Now he's an enthusiastic convert.

 

[MStudt]

When MStudt talks about being a junky, he's not kidding. Not too long ago a crew of us ganged up on him in his AT hiking thread and began beating him about the head until he grudgingly admitted that maybe he'd give this hammock stuff a shot. Now he's an enthusiastic convert.

So true! I though I'd never do it, and even less likely that it would actually be comfortable. After spending countless hours on the hammock forum, reading about hanging, making whoopie slings, and so on. I'm now a believer, and now I just have to convert my wife! [MENTION=49649]KidVermicious[/MENTION] let me know how your tarp making goes. I might commission you to build one for my AT trip if you're up to it. I'm trying to find that perfect one, and those things are expensive! I'm also addicted to buying things from Dutchware.

 

[KidVermicious]

So true! I though I'd never do it, and even less likely that it would actually be comfortable. After spending countless hours on the hammock forum, reading about hanging, making whoopie slings, and so on. I'm now a believer, and now I just have to convert my wife! [MENTION=49649]KidVermicious[/MENTION] let me know how your tarp making goes. I might commission you to build one for my AT trip if you're up to it. I'm trying to find that perfect one, and those things are expensive!

Check out Aquaquest, they sell on Amazon. Dry bags appear to be their thing, but they sell a couple sizes of tarps and shelters too. I have this one, and I love it dearly. Here's the review I wrote. I'm sold on this silnylon stuff, so much better than bright blue plastic tarps or army surplus canvas. My only gripe is the lack of a couple key loops on the edge of the tarp for more flexibility in how I pitch it, so one of these days I'm going to get some silicon and solvent and ripstop and make my own. If I can get a tarp I'm happy with, I'd be honored to send it with you on your thru hike.

Dutch has cool stuff. I don't own anything of his yet, but I do wander over to his site and drool occasionally.

 

[MStudt]

Check out Aquaquest, they sell on Amazon. Dry bags appear to be their thing, but they sell a couple sizes of tarps and shelters too. I have this one, and I love it dearly. Here's the review I wrote. I'm sold on this silnylon stuff, so much better than bright blue plastic tarps or army surplus canvas. My only gripe is the lack of a couple key loops on the edge of the tarp for more flexibility in how I pitch it, so one of these days I'm going to get some silicon and solvent and ripstop and make my own. If I can get a tarp I'm happy with, I'd be honored to send it with you on your thru hike.

Dutch has cool stuff. I don't own anything of his yet, but I do wander over to his site and drool occasionally.

I get my Amsteel and Dynaglide from there. I was using whoopie slings, but have switched over to using continuous loops with his clinch buckles. It makes set up even easier. With the tarp I'm thinking something that has doors on the ends. In case we need to use it with heavy rain or even snow. Plus we'll be on the trail very early and it would be nice to keep some heat trapped inside. I'm also thinking about finding a tarp that would allow me to use a tent pole mod on it.

 

[KidVermicious]

Are you thinking a two person tarp, or are you stacking or doubling up or what? I've seen some pretty cool cat-cut designs that allow for folding the ends shut, I'd have to experiment though to get it right.

We have completely and irrevocably hijacked poor Majindans' thread.

 

[MStudt]

Are you thinking a two person tarp, or are you stacking or doubling up or what? I've seen some pretty cool cat-cut designs that allow for folding the ends shut, I'd have to experiment though to get it right.

We have completely and irrevocably hijacked poor Majindans' thread.

It's still camping related, so at least it's not off topic.

Most likely hanging side by side with a couple spreader bars to keep up from bumping together. The should work nicely if I can incorporate the tent pole mod to help pitch the side out a little more.

 

[KidVermicious]

Like this? TARP POLE MOD KIT

I hadn't seen that yet, that's pretty slick.

 

[MStudt]

Like this? TARP POLE MOD KIT

I hadn't seen that yet, that's pretty slick.

Exactly like that. Dutch has a kit as well for a little less money. As long as your tarp had mid-point tie outs this mod will work.

 

[KidVermicious]

I could do better than that, I could put a couple sets of pole pockets in it. Or were you going to put rings on the ends of the poles?

 

[MStudt]

I could do better than that, I could put a couple sets of pole pockets in it. Or were you going to put rings on the ends of the poles?

Hadn't really thought that through. I think sewing on a couple loops would be good. Then you can use some linlocs with dynaglide to tighten it up. I think pole pockets would be nice, but the poles are going to need to be bent down quite a bit to reach the pockets.

 

[jstim]

I will have to disagree with your ENO statement. Even though ENO is one of my sponsors for my AT thru-hike. For a great sleep in a hammock, the key is finding one that is longer. The ENO hammocks are only 9'4" for the single or the double. If you want to stick with a mass producer try Grand Trunk. Grand Trunk hammocks are 10'6" for the single and double. If you're wanting to seriously get into hammock backpacking and care about weight. Look into either Warbonnet or BIAS. You can also buy ultra-lite hammocks from cottage company's off of Hammock Forums. My current set-up for my hammock and bug net weigh less than an ENO single by itself. So many people get into hammocking and can't believe how comfortable it is. The comfort level in a hammock is far greater than sleeping on the ground, and if you know how to properly hang your hammock it's even more comfortable. Over the last 6 months I've really become a hammock junkie it seems like.

I would not disagree with your statement. I am very average at 5'10", and my ENO was my first. I fell in love with it as is, but I would not be afraid to venture out and try new gear. I have become quite the gear junkie and am always looking for new improved ways to do what I am already doing.

 

[slapdappy]

I hope you're short. Sleeping in the back of the truck sucks.

Thanks, I'll add those! Yeah dude, I'm like 5'10", so I'm comfy in the back of my 2000 Limited haha.

pillow bench. remove seat bottoms. 4 bolts. 5 minutes, if you're slow. Adds several extra critical inches that allow us to sleep with legs fully extended.
I'm 6'+ and sleep very comfortably w/gf.