HAMMOCK
CAMPING NEWS
January
2004
Here you will find the latest
hammock camping NEWS and IDEAS, including industry-related event
listings, new products, trip reports, gear reviews, hammocking tips, links to
additional information, and much more.
This F-R-E-E e-newsletter is a
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=============================================================
IN THIS ISSUE FROM SPEER
HAMMOCKS January 2004
=============================================================
1. Hammock
Camping News
2. Feature
Article
Hammock
Camping in Trail Shelters
3. Hammocks
in Use
4. Tip
of the Month
5. Camping
Hammock Manufacturers
6. Other
Hammocks Suitable for Camping
7. Camping
Hammock Accessories
8. Misc
Online Resources
9. Speer
Hammocks Calendar
10. Upcoming
Feature Articles
1----------------------HAMMOCK
CAMPING NEWS------------------------
A. DID YOU MISS A PAST ISSUE?
Postings of each newsletter on Yahoo Groups will be left on
the Hammock Camping News home page for subscribers to view any time; go
to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hammock_Camping_News/
Subscribers and non-subscribers can freely view and download
the current issue or any of the back issues at:
http://www.hammockcamping.com/Newsletters/NEWS.htm
However, some of the many web links in the newsletters do
not survive in the email versions--if this happened to yours, you might want to
download the newsletter from the hammockcamping.com site.
B.
HAMMOCK CAMPING BOOK PUBLISHED!
Speer
Hammocks published Hammock Camping: The
Complete Guide To Greater Comfort, Convenience and Freedom
by Ed Speer in 2003. Everyone's initial
reaction has been positive and early sales are off to a good start.
The book is based on Ed's many
years of hammock camping around the world and his experience making and
designing his own hammocks. In addition to key chapters on "How To Stay
Warm In A Hammock" and "How To Make Your Own Hammock", the book
contains numerous entries from Ed's trail journals that show just how hammocks
can be used in actual wilderness settings.
The book is well documented with numerous photos, drawings and tables of
information. For those not inclined to make a hammock, one chapter presents
brief reviews of all the commercially available camping hammocks. Appendices
give valuable information on Ed's hammocking tips, hammock manufactures, the
Leave No Trace organization, and web links to additional hammock information.
This book is sure to become the standard reference manual on hammock
camping. Autographed copies and free
shipping on all orders from Speer Hammocks. Order online at http://www.HammockCamping.com or call
(828) 724-4444, 9-5 workdays--$19.95.
Also available at major Internet book sites or a bookstore or retail
outfitter near you.
C.
HAMMOCK CAMPING WEB SITE
http://www.HammockCamping.com. This site provides a general exchange of
hammock camping news and information. Excerpts from Ed's new book and F-R-E-E copies of these newsletters are featured
here, as well as lots of F-R-E-E hammock
camping reports and handy hammocking tips.
Anyone wishing to post information on this site should contact us at: Ed@SpeerHammocks.com.
D.
HAMMOCK CAMPING-L Discussion Group
Join fellow outdoor enthusiasts in
an open discussion on all aspects of hammock camping. Learn from the experts
before you buy or make your own. Or help others by sharing your knowledge. The
widespread use of camping hammocks is the latest development in wilderness
travel. Be a part of this exciting phenomenon. The Hammock Camping-List is
hosted on Yahoo Groups and works like any other online "list;"
however you do not have to be a member of Yahoo in order to join. All you need
is a valid email address to join the group. NOTE that subscribers to this free
Hammock Camping News e-zine are not automatically signed up for
the bulletin board (you must sign up yourself).
All messages are archived and
searchable by members. Whether you are
a novice or a veteran hammock user, there is much to learn and share on The
Hammock Camping List!
To join, send email to: hammockcamping-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Or sign up online at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hammockcamping
E.
MAKE-YOUR-OWN HAMMOCK KITS NOW AVAILABLE
It's fun and easy to make your own
camping hammock with the simple kits from Speer Hammocks. Based on a successful
hammock design, the kits come complete with all the fabric, webbing, Velcro,
pull tabs, guidelines, ridgeline, hardware, etc. needed to make a complete
hammock with bug net and rain canopy. Even the thread is included! Making your
own hammock is highly rewarding and each one should give years of satisfactory
use. The only thing needed is a household sewing machine and minimal sewing
skills (only easy edge hems, straight stitches, and one flat felled seam are
required). Check out the kits at: http://www.SpeerHammocks.com
F. Follow Leave No Trace!
As hammock campers we have the
duty to not only act responsibly in the backcountry, but to also set a proper
example for others to follow. One of
the great advantages of hammock camping is the ability to reduce our adverse
impact on the environment. Everyone is
encouraged to join and support the worthy Leave No Trace
organization and to follow their outdoor ethics. To learn more, visit: http://www.lnt.org
2-------------------------Feature
Article------------------------------
Hammock
Camping in Trail Shelters--Don't Do It!
With
the rapidly growing use of camping hammocks on our backcountry trails, it's
only inevitable that their use inside trail shelters should be addressed. Certainly the promise of a secure wind- and
rain-sheltered structure temps hammock campers just as strongly as it does tent
or tarp users. But are hammocks
appropriate in shelters designed for floor sleepers? Can the shelters withstand the stress? These questions confront all hammock campers; some suggestions
and alternatives worthy of consideration are presented in this article.
Of
course many shelters simply don't have suitable hammock supports and the
hammock user has no choice but to set up outside. In addition, many hammock campers choose to stay out of shelters
in the first place; instead they seek the solitude and peace that generally can
only be found outside.
However,
sometimes shelters do have tempting hammock supports such as posts, beams,
cables, railings, etc. But is the shelter
safe? What is the responsible hammock
camper to do?
While
some existing trail shelters are capable of withstanding the tremendous
sidewall stresses generated by hammocks, many are simply not up to the
task. Weakly constructed and/or
age-weaken shelters are especially vulnerable.
Stacked log construction, typical of many of our trail shelters,
generally lacks the wall strength necessary to safely support hammocks. Just observe the numerous trail shelters
that have sagged under their own weight over the years and have been
subsequently 'repaired' with the addition of cables and wall supports in an
effort to re-right then and prevent their collapse. Hanging one or more hammocks in shelters such as these is extremely
dangerous and could lead to collapse causing injury and/or costly repairs.
How
can hammock hangers assess the structural integrity of any given shelter? What is the potential damage or danger of
collapse? When should they elect to
stay outside? While some hammock users
may have the experience or knowledge necessary to make a proper evaluation,
most probably do not have this ability.
While no one wants to get hurt, hurt others or cause property damage,
these are the likely outcome of the continued unrestricted use of trail
shelters by uninformed hammock hangers.
If extensive damage occurs, hammocks could be banned from all shelters
as trail clubs react to protect their property. As responsible hammock campers, it's up to us to prevent this.
Should
hammocks be banned from all trail shelters?
Of course not, since some are perfectly capable of safely accommodating
hammocks. And after all, they are there
in the first place to give shelter to backcountry travelers, and even hammock
users occasionally have need for severe weather protection and the
companionship found at shelters.
Proposed
Maintaining Club Regulation
I
propose that the actual shelter builders and maintainers are the best informed
about the structural integrity of their shelters and the decision should be
left up to them. After all, they have a
vested interest since they built the shelters and are responsible for
maintaining them. And they will be the
ones called on to repair and/or replace any damaged structure, possibly at very
high cost. Simply posting the hammock
rules at each shelter would go a long way to prevent misuse. Sure, there will be some misuse of the
posted rules, but most hammock campers are willing and capable of following
sensible rules.
Of
course removing or blocking potential hammock supports inside unsuitable
shelters would also prevent hammock use.
On the other hand, suitable shelters could be equipped with proper
hammock supports. These actions should
be considered on a shelter-by-shelter basis by each maintaining club.
Proposed
Hitching Posts
I
also propose that hammocks could be readily accommodated outside trail shelters
with the construction of suitable 'hitching posts.' These could be simple logs or cut lumber, approximately 15'
apart, with +6" diameter crossbeams 4-5' above the ground. Cables parallel to and 2' above the
crossbeams could accommodate the tying off of tarps over the hammocks in the
same manner as when using trees for supports.
Each hammock with deployed tarp would need only 4-5' of crossbeam space;
adjacent hammocks might be able to share large tarps. In some cases, only one hitching post may be needed if the other
supports could be fixed to a suitable outside wall of a trail shelter.
Hammocks
arranged like this are standard procedure in many homes, dorms, cabins and
camps in tropical countries.
In
this way, each shelter could accommodate many more sleepers with only moderate
additional construction. Hammock users
would happily use the hitching posts since they would still be with the shelter
crowd while having a far superior bed.
While the required construction and costs are not insignificant, they
are much less than those required to rebuild a collapsed shelter.
Don't
Do It
Until
such time that suitable shelters are equipped with proper hammock supports
and/or posted as 'hammock ready', hammock campers should avoid all trail
shelters. Remember we set an example by
our behavior; be sure the example you set is the right one. Maintaining clubs will hopefully begin
upgrading their shelters soon; in the meantime, hammock campers should remember
the wisest Leave No Trace rule--do no damage.
Anyway, when you are hanging outside a shelter, knowing that no one in
the shelter has a bed as comfortable as yours should console you!
Safe
Hammocking ....Ed "Not To Worry" Speer
Take a hammock on your next
wilderness trip
and experience the wonder
of nature all over again
3----------------Hammocks
in Use December 2003----------------------
Benton
MacKaye Trail, TN & GA Dec 23-30,
2003
This 85-mile hike was intended to be a cold-weather test of hammock gear
in the mountains of Tennessee and Georgia.
And the weather cooperated as expected with daytime temperatures in the
30's to 50's and nighttime temperatures in the 10's to 30's (sorry Bill, no
snow). I was testing my new down PeaPod
and Top Blankets/Liners, while my companion, Dave Womble (Atlanta, GA) was
testing his winter tarp and multiple closed cell foam pad configurations. Both systems provided the necessary warmth,
although the down gear was more comfortable than the pad system. Dave's winter tarp, which functions like a
roomy tent around the hammock, provided good protection from cold wind. We shuttled our two cars several times
during the hike.
Night one found us pitched in a steep sided ravine expecting cold wind
that never materialized. However heavy
rain began soon after setting up camp--just as we had hoped! It was a bit steep--my food bag got away
from me and slid 100 feet down hill!
Day two took us up and over the +4,000' elevation of Frog Mountain, the
high point of the trail. It was only 200F
at noon! Thick rhyme ice (frozen fog)
coated every tree branch and bush giving the forest a surreal look. Camp was a cold spot several hundred feet
below the ridge top at 2,600' elevation.
It was 180F at 5:30 pm when we retired to the warmth of the
hammocks. Light cold wind drove the
wind chill even lower.
Day three (Christmas Day) was also cold with highs of only 320F. In camp, I overheated in the hammock and
removed some insulation at 10:30 pm (250F). This down stuff is really great! Our hammocks were providing another benefit
on this winter hike--comfort for the 12-14 hour-long nights!
The remaining 5 days of the hike saw an unusual warming trend with
daytime highs in the 50's and nighttime lows in the 30's. But I'd already learned a lot about the
comfort ranges of my various down gear combinations. The down PeaPod with one or two down Top Blankets used single or
doubled as Liners inside the PeaPod had proven their versatility giving
1.5", 3.0", 4.5", 6" or 7.5" of down insulation
beneath the hammock! Adjustable warmth
for any temperature!
Day five was mostly road walk through a modern housing community high in
the mountains. We even hitched a few
miles of the paved road walk.
Day seven took us over the most rugged terrain of the trail--this was
very similar to the Georgia AT with lots of PUD's (Pointless Ups and
Downs). Camp was a beautiful spot
beside the Toccoa River near the remarkable suspension trail bridge. Light rain fell during the night but was
over by morning--we had lucked out again.
We ended our hike a day early on day eight (Dec 30) at 1:30 pm when we
reached the AT parking lot near the summit of Springer Mtn. Dave headed home to be with that special
someone, while I headed for the Neels Gap hiker hostel to prepare for the New
Year's Eve campout.
Springer
Mtn, GA Dec 31, 2003 New Year's Eve
This was the annual campout atop Springer Mtn, the southern terminus of
the Appalachian Trail. About 25 campers
attended this year; including several south bounders who were just finishing
their AT thru hike and one north bounder who was starting his! All shared good food and drink. Three hammock hangers attended: me (Marion,
NC), Karen (Asheville, NC) and Risk (Ohio).
Karen and I were using new down PeaPods while Risk was using his
innovative homemade system.
Unseasonably mild weather was a welcome change from recent years and
helped bring out a larger crowd. Sunny
clear skies ruled on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day with temperatures into
the mid 60's! Nighttime lows atop the
3,782-foot summit of Springer were a sweltering 300F! Quite a change from the 50 seen
only two years ago! We were all over
packed with way too much insulation--ya gotta love this wacky winter weather in
the southern Appalachians!
We all enjoyed the late afternoon arrival of the south bounders, some
arriving just as the sun was setting below the mountain ridge to the west. What a magnificent way to end a thru hike! The rest of the evening was spent renewing
old friendships and making new ones around the campfire. New campers continued to arrive throughout
the evening. Midnight festivities included
party favors, sparklers, good drink, picture taking, and lots of merriment.
Karen and I set up our hammocks in our usual side-by-side, three-tree
configuration, but did not use the tarps.
We enjoyed spectacular views of the bright moon and stars thru the
ice-storm-thinned tree canopy above us.
From the warmth and comfort of our hammocks, we watched with awe as the
sun rose on New Year's Day! With no
clouds to disrupt the view, the red/orange/pink/purple colors slowly spread
throughout the eastern sky as the sun neared the horizon. The first blinding rays were quickly followed
by more of the sun's disk until it was too bright to look directly at it. The vast spread of color in the sky quickly
faded as sunlight flooded the summit of Springer, first hitting the treetops
above our hammock and soon reaching the ground beneath us. The dawn of the New Year was everything we
hoped it would be.
We hope your New Year got off to an equally good start. Plan now to attend the next campout--see ya
on Springer on New Years Eve, 2004!
Ed "Not To Worry" Speer
4------------------------------Tip
of the Month---------------------------------
The
following handy tip recently came to our attention
·
It's hunting
season! Hikers and campers should dress
to be seen. This means wearing bright
flame orange gear, such as hats, gloves, shirts, vests, jackets and/or pack
rain covers. Remember to hang your
flame orange gear above and around your set-up hammock so stealth-walking
hunters will not mistake it for their target!
5-----------------Camping
Hammock Manufacturers---------------------
The
following is a list of manufacturers that make and sell camping hammocks. Only
secure, comfortable and complete hammocks with bug net and rain canopy are
included. Manufacturers of some other hammocks that might be modified for camping
use can be found in the next section.
Speer Hammocks, Inc.
34 Clear
Creek Road--Marion, NC 28752-6407
828-724-4444
http://www.speerhammocks.com/ Email: info@speerhammocks.com
Hennessy Hammock Co.
637
Southwind Road--Galiano Island, BC--Canada, V0N 1P0 888-539-2930
http://www.hennessyhammock.com/ Email: info@hennessyhammock.com
Clark Outdoor Products
4637 South 300 West--Salt Lake City, UT 84107 800-468-4635
http://www.junglehammock.com/ Email: info@junglehammock.com
Lawson Hammock Co.
PO Box 12602--Raleigh, NC 27605
919-829-7076
http://www.lawsonhammockco.com/
http://www.tbcinc.com/hammocks/hamindex.html
Crazy Creek Products
PO Box 1050--1401 South Broadway--Red Lodge, MT 59068 800-331-0304
http://www.crazycreek.com/ Email: chairs@crazycreek.com
Terrelogic, Inc.
477 Brunswick Ave.--Toronto, Ontario--Canada, M5R 2Z6 888-693-7923
http://www.terrelogic.com/ Email: mdj@terrelogic.com
Laid Back Designs, Ltd.
Suite 160, Unit 3--304 Stone Road--Guelph, Ontario--Canada N1G 4W4
800-465-7519 http://www.travelsource.com/travelstore/lbd/lbd.html
Email: sammyd@mgl.ca
New Tribe, Inc.
5517 Riverbanks Road--Grants Pass, OR 97527 866-223-3371 or 541-476-5804
Email: newtribe@cdsnet.net
Four Season Hammocks
1236 Oxborough Lane--Fort Collins, CO 80525 877-282-7145
http://www.mrhammock.com/ Email: mrhammock@verinet.com
Siam Hammock
Tawatchai Jaranai (Eff)--80/2 Prachachuen Road 33--Ladyao Jatujak
Bangkok 10900 Thailand
+66-1869-8988
http://www.siamhammock.com/ Email: f_goodfeeling@yahoo.com
Tammock Trading + Marketing
Rolf + Thomas Schneeberger--Steinenvorstadt 79/4--CH-4051 Basel,
Switzerland
+41 61 281 73 33 http://www.tammock.com Email: info@tammock.com
The Trease™
Trease.Biz--PO Box 234--Colchester, VT 05446
http://members.aol.com/treasebiz/ Email: mailto:treasebiz@aol.com
SleepCatcher new!
(805) 705-6937
6---------------Other
Hammocks Suitable for Camping-----------------
Some
hammocks that do not come with a bug net or rain canopy may be modified for
hammock camping. While many hammocks
offer this potential, the following ones may be promising. Note that a proper bug net and rain canopy
must be added to these hammocks in order to make them suitable for serious
camping use.
· Bliss
Hammock lightweight solid
nylon bottom http://www.hammockbliss.com/
·
Byer of Maine
solid fabric hammocks; several models http://www.byerofmaine.com/
·
Exped
Expedition Equipment Scout
Hammock; ripstop nylon bottom
http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage.nsf?OpenDatabase&Language=E
· Nomad
Travel Tropical Hammock (search Sleeping Essentials), double
bottom
http://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/#
· Paradise
Hammock parachute silk http://www.paradisehammocks.co.uk/
· Sportsman's
Guide Guide Gear®
Camp Hammock, solid nylon bottom
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?p=WX2&i=70415
·
Ticket To The Moon solid nylon bottom
hammocks http://www.ticketothemoon.com/
·
Suspended Sleeping System by Center of Gravity,
Inc new!
Unique backpack-hammock-sleeping
bag-mattress system; not available yet?; see review at: http://www.backpacking.net/gear-reviews/sss
· Cedar Tree StrapoLounger Unique Sleeping Pad-Backpack-Hammock
combination new!
http://www.thepacka.com/strappack/page2.html
7----------------------Camping
Hammock Accessories-------------------
This list includes useful
but often hard to find camping hammock accessories. Web searches and/or eBay
auctions may turn up these and other suitable accessories. This list will be expanded over time.
Sleeping
Pads
· Exped
Expedition Equipment Down-filled
air mattress
·
High Country Outdoor Products Mt Washington Pad closed-cell foam; 7 oz;
20"X60"X0.6"
· Knox
Foam closed cell foam,
3/8"X73", buy by linear foot; other styles available
http://www.knoxfoam.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/closedcellfoam/CCR02.htm?L+scstore+nigf9039+1062576884
· Oware closed-cell foam,
1/4"X60"X40"; 7oz http://www.owareusa.com/sleep.html
·
Quest Outfitters Thin, extra-wide closed-cell foam; must be cut to size
http://www.questoutfitters.com/Foam%20Page.htm
· Target
Stores 27" wide
closed-cell blue foam http://www.target.com
·
The Coleman Co
24" wide closed-cell foam; various thicknesses
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/subcategory.asp?CategoryID=9060
·
Therm-A-Rest
wide selection of various self-inflating & closed-cell foam
pads http://www.cascadedesigns.com/thermarest/
· Seattle
Fabrics, Inc Thin, extra-wide
closed-cell foam; must be cut to size
http://www.seattlefabrics.com/
· Slumberjack
Products covered and
uncovered closed-cell foam and inflatable pads
http://www.slumberjack.com/category_list.asp?category_name=Sleeping+Mats
· Speer
Hammocks, Inc extra wide,
1/4"-thick closed-cell foam & reflectix pads
· Sportsman's
Guide closed-cell foam
w/ reflective bottom coating
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=77344
· Stearns,
Inc Inflatable, various models
· Stevenson's
Warmlite Down-filled
air mattress D.A.M. http://www.warmlite.com
· Wal-Mart Ozark Trail Egg Crate Camp Pad, 24"
wide closed-cell foam http://www.walmart.com/
Bug Nets
· Nomad Travel several models (search Mosquito Nets) http://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/
Insulation
Around Hammock
· Speer
Hammocks, Inc PeaPod sleeping bag
fits completely around hammock
http://www.speerhammocks.com/Products/PRODUCTLINK2.htm
Rain
Canopies
· Campmor Ultralight Backpacking Tarp, 8X10, silicone,
ripstop
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=226&prrfnbr=88643
· GoLite Sheet Tarp, silicone ripstop
http://www.golitestore.com/store/prodinfo.asp?number=SH6007&variation=&aitem=4&mitem=12
· Integral
Designs various size silnylon tarps
http://www.integraldesigns.com/tarps-frame.htm
· Oware silicone-treated nylon tarps http://www.owareusa.com/tarps.html
·
Speer Hammocks, Inc 8X10 silicone 1.1 oz ripstop complete w/ guidelines; 13 oz
http://www.speerhammocks.com/Products/PRODUCTLINK2.htm
· Equinox,
Ltd The One Pound
Tarp
http://www.equinoxltd.com/Cart/description.php?II=1989&UID=2003090311484863.90.39.154
Portable
Hammock Stands
· Campmor Search Hammock Stand http://www.campmor.com
· Google Search
Hammock Stands--Generates many retailers
http://www.google.com
· Hammocks
America.Com good listing of
stands
http://www.hammocksamerica.com/store/standall.html
· Hammocks.Com Many stands, second tree stands, also
hanging gear
http://www.hammocks.com/hammock_stands/index.cfm
· Hangouts.Com Many stands and online services
http://hangouts.com/hammocks/hammock_stand.html
· Magic
Hammock.Com Portable hammock w/
AL tubular frame
· WrightStuff.Net Heavy duty tubular steel, w/ hanging rack
http://www.wrightstuff.net/products/hammockstand.htm
· Wal-Mart 5-piece green steel stand (search GARDEN
section for hammocks)
Other
Accessories
· Hammocks
America.Com Hanging
gear http://www.hammocksamerica.com/store/hammacceshook.html
·
Hammock Jungle.Com Hanging gear http://www.hammockjungle.com/accessories/
· Hammocks.Com Hanging gear
http://www.hammocks.com/hammock_stands/hammock_hanging_kits.cfm
8-------------------------Misc Online
Resources------------------------------
How To Make A Hammock
·
http://speerhammocks.com/Tips/Tips%20on%20hammock%20camping.htm
·
http://www.speerhammocks.com/Products/PRODUCTLINK2.htm Make Your Own Kits new!