HAMMOCK CAMPING NEWS
August 2005
Here you will find the latest
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IN THIS ISSUE FROM SPEER
HAMMOCKS August 2005
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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.
Newsletter Publishing Schedule
The
publishing schedule for Hammock Camping News is:
Publish Date Submission
Date
August 1, 2005 July
15, 2005
January 1, 2006 Dec
15, 2005
May 1, 2006 April
15, 2006
August 1`, 2006 July 15, 2006
Please note
that the next issue is due January 1 and submissions for publication are due December
15.
C. 900 Fill down PeaPods and Top Blankets Now Available
Speer Hammocks is now offering 900-fill down hammock gear! This is the highest-loft goose down available
anywhere, thus our Peapods and Top Blankets offer the ultimate in uncomplicated
lightweight warmth! The 900-fil down
combined with our new baffle construction provides 40% increase in thickness over
the previous models with no increase in weight!
This means greater warmth for you!
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 Bridge Day05 in
http://speerhammocks.com/Products/PRODUCTLINK2.htm or call (828) 724-4444, 9-5 Eastern
Time, workdays.
D. Speer
Hammocks announces temporary suspension of PeaPod Production
Speer Hammocks has temporarily suspended PeaPod production
until a new sewer is found. President Ed
Speer reports:
“Due to a family emergency,
one of our current sewers has moved, leaving us without the ability to sew
PeaPods at this time. Although
frustrating in light of our recent improvements in warmth, we anticipate
resumption of production in the near future.
In the meantime we’re not accepting orders, but will gladly add names to
the waiting list. We apologize for any
inconvenience and ask that everyone please bear with us—production is expected
to resume in time for the winter camping season”
Production of Top Blankets has not been interrupted and they
are still custom made when ordered.
Likewise, production of hammocks and Segmented Pad Extenders continues
uninterrupted.
E.
Segmented Pad Extenders--AFFORDABLE
WARMTH IS HERE!
Speer Hammocks announces their new SPE, the simple lightweight
and affordable way to provide 4-season warmth in any hammock. The SPE incorporates your own gear for
insulation! A central sleeve accepts
your sleeping pad or pads for bottom warmth while segmented side wings provide
shoulder, hip, and knee protection.
Multiple sleeping pads can be stacked in the central sleeve up to a
total thickness of 3”, allowing the user to mix and match pads for conditions
from 700F to well below zero!
Inflatable pads and closed cell foam pads in full length or three-quarter
length can be stacked as needed for warmth and comfort. The wings can be filled with closed cell foam
pad inserts and/or rolls of extra clothes, again providing adjustable
insulation. The SPE also accepts dead
leaves, the ultimate no-carried-weight insulation! Find out more about these remarkable
accessories at: http://www.speerhammocks.com/Products/SPE.htm
Contact SpeerHammocks.com at 828-724-4444,
or info@speerhammocks.com
F.
HAMMOCK CAMPING BOOK
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 Eastern Time workdays--$19.95. Also available at major Internet book sites
or a bookstore or retail outfitter near you.
G.
MAKE-YOUR-OWN HAMMOCK KITS
It's fun and easy to make your own camping hammock with the
simple kits from Speer Hammocks.
Based on our 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
H. 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.
I.
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
J. Treating Silnylon fabrics
Silnylon fabrics require regular maintenance to retain their
water proof ability. For an excellent
how-to treatise on this subject, check out:
http://jwbasecamp.com/Articles/Silnylon1/index.html
K. Tick Remover
A handy item in anyone’s pack this time of the year is The
Tick Remover, a spring-loaded stainless steel pincher-like device that quickly
and safely removes embedded ticks. Find
at: http://www.thetickremover.com
L. NEW BOOK BY HAMMOCK CAMPER RICK ALLNUTT
A Wildly Successful
200-Mile Hike is a
new book about coming of age as a long distance hiker on the
M. 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:
2-------------------------Feature
Article------------------------------
Hammock Camping
Safety
Can hammocks be dangerous?
Of course they can. Just ask
these unfortunate people—or maybe you can’t:
Jul04
Sep04 Puerto Rico Heavy flooding and 2 people killed as Hurricane Jeanne passes over with
70mph winds. One Puerto Rican woman was
killed Wednesday when winds flung her from a hammock and smashed her into a
neighbor's house
How about lightning?
Are you safe in a hammock? No one
knows for sure but apparently Benjamin Franklin’s advice for avoiding lightning
was to lie in a silk hammock that was supported by two wooden posts and located
inside a house.
OK, so some dangers are out of our control, but we still
don’t want to do something stupid that raises that danger. Recognizing and avoiding potential dangers is
the wise first step. Some dangers of
obvious concern include: turning over unexpectedly; catastrophic failure of the
hammock materials; hanging knots coming loose; falling trees; falling branches;
tripping over the canopy guidelines; walking into the hammock tie-outs; and
entanglements in the hammock materials.
Undoubtedly other dangers also exist.
Thankfully, the user can minimize potential danger by following some
simple procedures. These include such
things as being alert to the possibilities of injury, exercising caution,
avoiding misuse and abuse, and carefully inspecting the entire hammock setup
before and during each use.
Some Safety Do's and Don'ts in Camping Hammocks
· Avoid falling out by staying low in
the hammock—know where the tip-over point is and keep your body weight below it
· Beware of spreader bars that raise
the body up to the tip-over point
·
Avoid
catastrophic failure of the hammock materials
·
Inspect
each hammock setup for incipient failure
·
Avoid
or repair any damaged hammock
·
Regularly
inspect hanging knots to avoid surprises
·
Avoid
tying to dead trees or other supports that could fail
·
Avoid
overhead dead branches or tree tops that could fall
·
Avoid
overhead snow-covered branches
·
Set
up the hammock at waist height or lower to facilitate safe entry and exit
·
Exercise
caution getting in or out of hammock to avoid loss of balance
·
For
better control when entering or exiting, hold the hammock with both hands, one
on each side of the hammock
·
When
exiting an open-top hammock, place both feet on the ground beside the hammock
and push backwards until your feet are directly beneath your body before attempting to stand up
·
Avoid
long-term sunlight exposure as much as possible to prevent deterioration of
nylon and polypropylene materials
·
Avoid
tripping over the canopy guidelines
·
Avoid
walking into the hammock tie-outs
·
Avoid
entanglements in the hammock materials
·
·
Limit
hammock use to one person at a time (sorry to those looking for sex advice!)
·
Do
not exceed the design weight limit
·
Do
not swing in the hammock
·
Avoid
sudden heavy movements in the hammock
·
Avoid
punctures, tears or rips in the hammock fabric
·
Possible
puncture problems exist inside the hammock from wristwatches, belt buckles,
boots, shoes, eyeglasses, ear phones, portable radios, zippers on sleeping bag
or clothes, writing pens, flashlights, etc.
·
Avoid
snagging the hammock fabric on brush, limbs, briers, rocks, etc. while making
or breaking camp
·
Avoid
open flames; the hammock materials are flammable
·
Do
not smoke in the hammock
·
Restrict
and supervise children's use of the hammock
·
Do
not leave infants unattended in the hammock
·
The
physically handicapped may have difficulties in the hammock
·
Use
a whistle if you set up far from the traveled path but might need to attract
the attention of others for help
·
Avoid
contact with poisonous plants, including vines on trees; even dead plants/vines
can cause problems
·
Do
not completely enclose the Pea Pod Sleeping Bag; instead avoid suffocation and
the buildup of excessive moisture in the insulation by leaving a large space
for fresh air and the escape of your exhaled breath
·
Avoid
high-risk situations susceptible to storm dangers such as lighting, excessive
winds or flooding
I don’t know
about you, but I don’t trust O’l Ben Franklin.
In theory, a hammock might provide electrical insulation by being a poor
conductor, but I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near a tree that gets hit by lightning. Electricity can still arc through the air;
splinters from an exploding tree can produce deadly shrapnel; and/or falling
debris still pose great dangers. In
stormy weather, I’ll be hanging my hammock well below any exposed
These and other safety concerns are covered in more detail
in Chapter 5 of the book Hammock
Camping: The Complete Guide To Greater Comfort, Convenience and Freedom.
Enjoy Your Hammock Safely
You can enjoy your hammock safely and comfortably by
exercising simple caution and common sense. No "technical" or special training
is necessary. Although the hammock
itself is remarkably simple, no additional gear is needed for safe use. The set up procedures are easier than setting
up a tent and they are quickly learned; everyone is up and running (or should I
say sleeping) the first time!
Best of luck and happy hammocking
Ed "Not To Worry" Speer
3-------------------------June
Hammock Campout---------------
The
11th SEHHA Campout
is now History
Our 11th Southeast Hammock Hangers Association
campout June 10-12 in
Previous SEHHA Campouts
1. Foothills Trail,
2. Foothills Trail,
3. Mountain To Sea Trail,
4. Appalachian Trail,
5. Benton MacKaye Trail, Springer
6. Rainbow Springs campground,
7.
8. Rainbow Springs campground,
9. Appalachian Trail, Springer
10.
11.
Near perfect summer weather prevailed during the
campout—quite unlike our April campout!
Everyone got lots of relaxing sun while brief showers helped cool things
off. About 10 hammockers and several
day-visitors made up the group. As
expected, gear discussions were the order of each day amid visits to the local
outfitter in town.
Karen’s Saturday evening hot dog roast was the highlight of
the event and more gear discussions continued around the campfire until 11 or
so when everyone retreated to their hammocks.
Breakfast at the local dinner provided the start of each day on Saturday
and Sunday.
Everyone seemed to have a great time and expressed their
appreciation to Speer Hammocks for hosting the event. All promised to return for another
campout. Karen and I would like to thank
all who attended and helped made this such a great gathering. We hope to see everyone at our next campout
(see below).
Ed "Not To Worry" Speer
Safe
Hammocking!
Take a hammock on your next outdoor
trip
And experience the wonder of nature
all over again
4------------------------Next SEHHA Campout--------------------------------
12th SEHHA Campout
Join us for our next Southeast Hammock Hangers Association
campout on September 23-25, again in
We will camp in the popular Hot Springs Campground
approximately 45 minutes drive northwest of
This outing offers the perfect opportunity for families who
camp together, so bring the kids as well as the hammocks.
Show up anytime and leave anytime, but don't miss our free
Saturday evening hot dog cookout! This
is now a tradition at each hammock hanger’s campout--it's not to be
missed! Otherwise, everyone will be
responsible for his or her own meals.
Upon arrival, check in at the campground entrance gate and
ask for the 'hammock group'. Karen and I
will be at the campsite Friday afternoon thru midday Sunday, so arrive anytime
after 2 pm Friday. Folding lounge chairs
might be appropriate for the festival, so bring your own. The
Find complete campground details at:
Find driving directions at: http://nchotsprings.com/directions.html
Fall temperatures at this elevation can fluctuate wildly, so
expect daytime highs of 30-70F and nighttime lows of 20-50F. Rain is
possible so be prepared.
Signing up is not necessary, but letting us know will be
appreciated--
Everyone Welcome!
See ya at
5-----------------Camping
Hammock Manufacturers---------------------
As hammock camping continues to catch on, the number of
manufacturers is growing as can be seen in the following list--a total of 18! Only makers of secure, comfortable and
complete hammocks with bug net and rain canopy are included. Many of these manufacturers frequently upgrade
their existing models and accessories or issue new ones, so check these web
links often.
[Manufacturers of some other hammocks that might be modified
for camping use can be found in the next section.]
Speer Hammocks, Inc.
http://www.speerhammocks.com/ Email: info@speerhammocks.com
Hennessy Hammock Co.
http://www.hennessyhammock.com/ Email: info@hennessyhammock.com
4637 South 300 West--
http://www.junglehammock.com/ Email: info@junglehammock.com
Lawson Hammock Co.
http://www.lawsonhammockco.com/
http://www.tbcinc.com/hammocks/hamindex.html
Crazy Creek Products
http://www.crazycreek.com/ Email: chairs@crazycreek.com
Terrelogic, Inc.
http://www.terrelogic.com/ Email: mdj@terrelogic.com
Laid Back Designs, Ltd.
800-465-7519 http://www.travelsource.com/travelstore/lbd/lbd.html
Email: sammyd@mgl.ca
New Tribe, Inc.
Email: newtribe@cdsnet.net
Four Season Hammocks
http://www.mrhammock.com/ Email: mrhammock@verinet.com
Tawatchai Jaranai (Eff)--80/
http://www.siamhammock.com/ Email: f_goodfeeling@yahoo.com
Tammock Trading + Marketing
Rolf + Thomas Schneeberger--Steinenvorstadt 79/4--CH-4051
+41 61 281 73 33 http://www.tammock.com/ Email: info@tammock.com
The Trease™
Trease.Biz--
http://members.aol.com/treasebiz/ Email: mailto:treasebiz@aol.com
SleepCatcher
(805) 705-6937
Hammock Bliss
new!
5800 N. Kolb #9246,
Mosquito Hammock
Tom Claytor c/o
http://www.mosquitohammock.com/
Email: tom@claytor.com
Ticket To The Moon
Jalan Tangkuban Perahu no. 14X,
Kerobokan Bali -
http://www.ticketothemoon.com/ Email: office@ticketothemoon.com
Eco Sleep System
Pyramid Body Guards Suisstulle Uk PLC
tel: 0115 969 2500
http://www.pyramidbodyguards.co.uk/
Eagle’s Nest new!
http://www.eaglesnestoutfit.com/ Email: mail@eaglesnestoutfit.com
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.
·
Byer of Maine
solid fabric hammocks; several models http://www.byerofmaine.com/