HAMMOCK
CAMPING NEWS
March
2004
Here you will find the latest
hammock camping NEWS and IDEAS, including industry-related event
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=============================================================
IN THIS
ISSUE FROM SPEER HAMMOCKS Mar 2004
=============================================================
1. Hammock
Camping News
2. Feature
Article
Southeast
Hammock Hangers Campout March 27
Rainbow Springs Campground, Franklin,
NC
3. Camping
Hammock Manufacturers
4. Other
Hammocks Suitable for Camping
5. Camping
Hammock Accessories
6. Misc
Online Resources
7. Speer
Hammocks Calendar
8. 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
Note: 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.
Down PeaPods are Here! NEW
Speer Hammocks has introduced down
hammock gear! Our down Peapods and Top Blankets offer the ultimate in
uncomplicated lightweight warmth! PeaPods are insulated bags that completely
surround an occupied top-entry camping hammock. Top Blankets are insulated
quilts for use over a hammock sleeper or they can be used as liners inside
PeaPods. Together they make the best system available for cold weather hammock
comfort. Now warmth at any temperature is possible. Visit us at our March and
April demos (see below). You can learn more at: http://www.hammockcamping.com/Free%20Reports/DownPeaPods.htm.
Order at: http://speerhammocks.com/Products/PRODUCTLINK2.htm
or call (828) 724-4444, 9-5 EST workdays.
C.
HAMMOCK CAMPING BOOK PUBLISHED!
Hammock
Camping: The Complete Guide To Greater Comfort, Convenience and Freedom by Ed
Speer was published in 2003. 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 EST workdays--$19.95.
Also available at major Internet book sites or a bookstore or retail
outfitter near you.
D.
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
E.
Speer Hammock and PeaPod Demos MARCH & APRIL
See live demos of Speer Hammocks,
PeaPods and Top Blankets throughout March and April at the Rainbow Springs
Campground near Franklin, NC. Try a Speer Hammock for an afternoon nap or even
overnight! Snuggle up in a new down
PeaPod or Top Blanket. Here's your
chance to see what hammock camping is all about before buying an outfit. Demos
will be available beginning March 5th at the new Mountain Crossings
Outpost, a seasonal gear shop operated by the popular outfitter at Neel's Gap,
GA. While the demos will be available
throughout March and April, Ed Speer will be on hand a few days each week to
answer your questions. See feature article below for directions to Rainbow
Springs Campground.
F.
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.
G.
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
H. 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------------------------------
Southeast
Hammock Hangers Campout March 27
Rainbow Springs Campground,
Franklin, NC
Join
us for the 6th SHHA (Southeast
Hammock Hangers Association) Campout
on Saturday, March 27, 2004. This is
our first group event of the year and it's FREE! (except for your
camping fee). This is an informal group event sponsored by Speer Hammocks and
everyone is welcome--veteran, novice or future hammockers. See, learn and share
your knowledge with other hammock camping enthusiasts. This will be an easy
overnight campout at a commercial campground in a beautiful mountain setting at
3,700 feet elevation near the Appalachian Trail in western North Carolina. Join Ed Speer, author of the Hammock Camping book and
editor of the Hammock Camping Newsletters for this fun early-spring
campout. Previous trips were run in
February, April, September, November and December last year and this is another chance
for hammockers to show their stuff, share ideas, learn from others, and be a
part of the 'new way'. Check out the newest stay-warm gear, including the brand
new down PeaPods! Bring your own homemade or purchased hammock gear (any brand)
and join the active hands-on discussions and demos. Meet old friends and make
new ones! Everyone will be responsible for his or her own transportation, gear,
food and behavior; as well as camping fees.
We
will camp in the commercial Rainbow Springs Campground only 15 minutes drive
west of Franklin, NC on US 64. The
campground is located 1/2 mile east of US 64 on the Old Murphy Road (Old
64)--sign at intersection on US 64 reads Wallace Gap and Standing Indian). After turning onto Old Murphy Road, drive
1/2 mile and watch for the Rainbow
Springs Campground sign. The campground is situated on the Nantahala River on
the west flank of Standing Indian Mountain, which is a memorable landmark on
the Appalachian Trail. Road access to the campground is from
Franklin or Murphy, NC--both towns offer complete vehicle services, food and
lodging accommodations. Bring hammock
stands if you have them--we will also provide stands. Come even if you don't have a stand since trees are also
available. We will all camp together;
however individual campsites are also available. Families are welcome. Cabins may be available--check with the
campground office.
Show up anytime and leave anytime, but don't miss the informal Saturday
afternoon demos (~1 to 6 pm). We will
have several demo hammocks set up for folks to try briefly or even
overnight! Speer Hammocks will have
complete hammocks, kits, siltarps, Top Blankets and PeaPods for purchase, so
here's your chance to try before buying.
We will later fix dinner together at one of the campsites or travel to
Franklin for an all-you-can-eat family stake house meal. Upon arrival, check in
at the campground office and tell them you're with the hammock group.
Find
complete campground details and driving directions at: http://www.rainbowspringscampground.com/ 828-524-6376 FAX:828-369-1935
Located
only one mile west of Wallace Gap, the campground is a popular stop for hikers
on the AT. In addition to the camp
store, hikers this year will find a new outfitter store! (Mountain Crossings
Outpost--operated by the popular outfitter at Neel's Gap, GA).
Early spring temperatures at this elevation can fluctuate wildly, so
expect daytime temps of 25-600F and nighttime temps of 10-400F. Although unlikely, the campout will be
cancelled if ice or snow creates dangerous driving conditions--each person
should make their own wise decisions.
There are plenty of spectacular trails in this area for folks looking
for more adventure before or after the weekend--hiking, kayaking, fishing,
waterfalls, etc!
Some
useful Appalachian Trail information can be found at the web links below:
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/ Appalachian Trail Conference
http://www.nps.gov/appa/ National Park AT
http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_trail/appalach.htm GORP AT
http://georgiatrails.com/features/apptrail.html Georgia Trails AT
http://georgiatrails.com/trails/southterm.html Access Trail--Amicalola Falls SP
http://www.fred.net/kathy/at.html Appalachian Trail facts
http://www.rhodesmill.org/thefox/maps.html Nat'l Park Service AT maps
Signing up is not necessary, but letting us know will be
appreciated--you may email us at: ed@speerhammocks.com
or call (828) 724-4444
Everyone Welcome!
Safe
Hammocking ....Ed "Not To Worry" Speer
Take a hammock on your next outdoor
trip
and experience the wonder of nature
all over again
3------------------------------Tip
of the Month---------------------------------
The
following handy tips recently came to our attention
·
Hang your hammock at the beach! Edisto Beach
State Park, South Carolina allows hammocks hung from Palm trees in their
campground located immediately behind the beach! Listen to the pounding surf
all night from your hammock! Find info
at: http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/stateparks/parkdetail.asp?PID=1298
· Hunting
Island State Park just to the south reportedly also allows hammocks in their
Palm trees. Info at: http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/stateparks/parkdetail.asp?PID=1019
· Don't
forget to keep your internal engine working during the night. If you switch from being warm to being cold
during the course of the night, your heat source may have died--eating a
high-calorie snack may bring back the warmth.
But this could also be a sign that you're not eating properly before
bedtime. Remember--dress and eat for
warmth!
4-----------------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
5---------------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
· Hammock
Universe See the camping
hammock section new!
http://www.hammockuniverse.com
6----------------------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! Now in down!
http://www.speerhammocks.com/Products/PRODUCTLINK2.htm
http://www.hammockcamping.com/Free%20Reports/DownPeaPods.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