HAMMOCK
CAMPING NEWS for April 2003
Here
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=============================================================
IN THIS ISSUE FROM SPEER
HAMMOCKS Apr 2003
=============================================================
1----------------------HAMMOCK
CAMPING NEWS------------------------
A. DID YOU MISS A PAST ISSUE?
Postings
of each newsletter on Yahoo Groups will be left on the home page for
subscribers to view any time (go to our Yahoo Groups Hammock
Camping News home page).
Subscribers and non-subscribers can view the free back issues at hammockcamping.com.
B.
NEW BOOK PUBLISHED!
Speer Hammocks published Hammock Camping: The Complete Guide To Greater
Comfort, Convenience and Freedom by Ed Speer in January. 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. Also available on Amazon.com
($2.26 shipping).
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 free hammock camping tips. The site includes instructions
for ordering Ed's book. 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. Learn 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-L is hosted
on Yahoo Groups and works like other online "lists;" however you do
not have to be a member of Yahoo in order to join. All you need is a valid
email address. 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).
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 the successful hammock design by Ed Speer, 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
2----------------How
To Get Laid In A Hammock-------------------
OK,
I know everyone has been anxiously waiting for this article--so here goes.
There is obviously only one way to get laid in a hammock--"Very
Carefully or Someone Could Get Hurt!"
I've
been told that a sizable percentage of the world's population is conceived in
hammocks. That must add up to a lot of hammock sex! Unfortunately, that's all I know about getting laid in a hammock.
But now that I have your attention, I'd like to discuss some safety issues of
concern to all hammock users.
Can
hammocks be dangerous? Of course they can--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
· Beware of spreader bars
that raise the body 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
· Repeatedly 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
· 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
· Wash the hammock and bug
net as needed
· 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 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
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
Since
the current crop of camping hammocks is made with lightweight materials, they may
not withstand the stresses of sexual activity. Undoubtedly some folks will try
to prove me wrong--but you've been warned! Sorry, but camping hammocks are
designed for sleeping, not sex.
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-------------------CAMPING
HAMMOCKS IN USE-------------------------
A. Winter Hammock Camping
Are you interested in winter hammock camping? Numerous members of the Hammock
Camping List have been experimenting with their hammocks this winter and the
results are promising. Snow? Cold wind? Below freezing temps? Nothing is too much for this group. Most
solutions revolve around bottom blankets and/or inside sleep pads. Learn the
latest techniques and join this online group at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hammockcamping.
The
most exciting discovery is insulator bags made with slightly inflated
heavy-duty trash bags. They offer remarkable warmth for only a few ounces! When
placed between a hammock and an outside shell, such as a silnylon bottom sheet
or the Speer PeaPod sleeping bag, the trash bags can provide 1-5" of
insulating thickness! 1.2-1.5 mil yard bags are suitable, however 2.5 mil trash
compactor bags provide greater puncture security. A small amount of air is
trapped inside each bag before twisting the ends and securing with strong
rubber bands or small shock cord bands to seal them. Trapping too much air
causes a bag to "balloon" out, making it difficult to keep beneath
you.
The thermal effectiveness of
the bags can be greatly and simply increased by placing extra pack items
inside--such as one's down jacket, sweater, fleece pullover, any extra
clothing, or even your rain gear, wind suit or ground sheet. Since these items are already carried in
one's pack, they take on multiple uses and no additional weight is needed for
the bottom insulation! When folded and inserted into a bag before closing, a
2-oz reflective emergency blanket can add great warmth! Even leaves can be used
as inside insulation! The bag does not need to be completely filled w/
insulating items--generally only 1-2" thickness of insulation works fine
as a bottom layer inside a 3-5" thick air-filled bag. One to three bags
will provide all the coverage needed and at 1.5-2.5 ozs/bag, the total extra
pack weight may be only 3-8 ozs! Note that a silnylon shell may add an
additional 6-10 ozs. However, those already using the Speer PeaPod will not
need the silnylon shell. Thanks to Ray for this marvelous discovery. Check out
the discussions on Hammock
Camping-L or see Ray's web site: http//www.mindspring.com/~rgarling/Insulator.htm
Another winter solution
involves using a Speer Hammock and the innovative Big Agnes Zirkel sleeping
bag, which has a bottom sleeve that accepts a sleep pad. Read all about this
combination at: http://www.SpeerHammocks.com\Reviews\Zirkel-Durham.htm
B.
Other Tips from Hammock Camping-L
Useful
recent hammock camping tips from the list include:
·
Shelf liner to prevent
slipping nylon air mats. Rubberized non-slip shelf liner works great to stop
Therm-A-Rest type nylon air pads from slipping out from under a hammock user.
The generic brand from Wal-Mart (12" X 15', 2.6 oz) cost only $0.94.
Thanks Rosaleen for this tip.
·
Reflector pads and
liners. Numerous contributors.
·
Under blankets of
silnylon, space blanket, military ponchos/liners & reflector pads. Numerous
contributors; lots of good stuff here.
·
Wrapping sleep pads with
wool blankets, space blankets, fleece blankets, etc.
·
Bivy hammock. Thanks
Debra for modifying a Gore-Tex bivy to fit your homemade Speer Hammock--great
idea.
·
27" wide foam pad
from Target. Excellent wide, non-slip sleeping pad (27" X 72" X
3/8", $10). Thanks Marge for finding this highly useful hammock pad.
4--------------------Hammock
Hangers Trip--------------------------------
Chatooga River Hammock Hangers Trip Apr 19-20, 2003
The
First Annual Southeast Hammock Hangers (FASHH) trip has been rescheduled for
Easter weekend. Everyone welcome--plenty of room for hammock hangers or ground
sleepers. Join us for a Spring outing along the famous Chattooga River on the
GA-SC state line. We will hike and camp on the SC side. Plan now to attend!
This
is a chance for avid hammock hangers to get together and compare notes and
share ideas. Show off your latest homemade creation!
Our
February trip was wiped out due to severe weather--but it should be much milder
in late April. In fact, it's already turned Spring here with flowers and trees
in full bloom. Expect temps from 40's to 80's.
Hammock
Hangers Trip
Foothills
Trail, SC Chattooga River Section
Apr 19-20,
2003
Hike:
10.4 mi on South Carolina's Foothills Trail. Easy-moderate trail section that follows Chattooga River. Scenic/historic mountain river that
separates Georgia and South Carolina.
Popular rafting river; locale for movie 'Deliverance'. We will hike in about 5 mi and camp Sat
night, then hike out Sun. Possible 0.5
mi hike to highest waterfall in eastern US (Whitewater Falls) on Sun (only 10
mi away).
Meet: Trailhead parking lot on Burrells' Ford Road (Forest
Service road 708, mostly gravel). Gather at my white Chevy van (NC plates). To
reach the parking lot, follow Burrells' Ford Road approx 2.5 mi west of SC 107
(paved). The junction of Burrell's Ford Road and SC 107 is approx 5 mi south of
the NC/SC line on SC 107. The trailhead parking area is approx 1/4 mi before
(or east of where) Burrell's Ford Road crosses Chattooga River. We will shuttle
one or more vehicles to the south trailhead about 6-7 mi south on SC 107.
Highway 107 junctions with SC 28 about 8 mi north of Walhalla, SC which is
about 15 mi north of I-85 and 40 mi west of Greenville, SC.
Departure
from north trailhead at Burrell's Ford: 11:00 am Sat. Hike south (down river) on Foothills Trail
Campsite
Sat night: Group decision; riverside choices at 5 & 5.5 mi. We will camp inside the Chattooga Wild and Scenic
River Corridor where Leave No Trace restrictions apply. Campfires (small)
allowed only in established campsite fire rings; cook on camp stoves.
Arrival
at south trailhead on SC 107: mid-day Sun. End of hike is
trailhead at junction of SC 107 and Cheohee Road (Forest Service road 710),
about 6 mi north of Oconee State Park.
Misc: Oconee State Park (w/ campground, reservations
suggested) is located nearby on SC 107. Primitive camping is available near
trailhead parking area on Burrell's Ford Road (short walk-in). Some car camping
may be available along Burrell's Ford Road. Expect 40-80 degrees, pack for
30-50 degrees; hope for 50-70! Bring
trail lunches for Sat and Sun, dinner Sat, & breakfast Sun. Late arrivals
can still probably find us since we will be camped in one of several large
primitive riverside campsites along the Foothills Trail (probably 5 or 5.5 mi
south of Burrell's Ford trailhead). Primitive road access exists at 5.5 mi
point--possible bailout route if needed. Longer hikes can be arranged for those
with more time. Some possibly confusing
trail junctions exist--Foothills Trail follows beside the river; we will be
traveling downstream. Lost hikers should stay on the trail to reach road
crossings or find other hikers. FT is marked with white blazes about every 100
yards. Double blazes mean caution--trail route makes unexpected change, such as
sharp turn or trail junction. This should be a popular weekend; expect other
hikers and campers.
--contact me if interested.
Ed
Speer
34
Clear Creek Road
Marion,
NC 28752
828-724-4444
5-----------------Camping
Hammock Manufacturers---------------------
From
the book: Hammock Camping:
The Complete Guide To Greater Comfort, Convenience and Freedom,
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). Some other manufacturers of hammocks that can easily be modified
for camping use can be found on the Hammock Camping-L.
Speer Hammocks, Inc.
34 Clear
Creek Road
Marion, NC
28752-6407
828-724-4444
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
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
Email: chairs@crazycreek.com
Terrelogic, Inc.
477
Brunswick Ave.
Toronto,
Ontario
Canada, M5R
2Z6
888-693-7923
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
541-476-5804
Email: newtribe@cdsnet.net
Four Season Hammocks
1236 Oxborough Lane
Fort Collins, CO 80525
877-282-7145
Email: mrhammock@verinet.com
Siam Hammock
Tawatchai Jaranai (Eff)
80/2 Prachachuen Road 33
Ladyao Jatujak Bangkok 10900 Thailand
+66-1869-8988
Email: f_goodfeeling@yahoo.com
6-----------------------------Online
Resources---------------------------------
How
To Make A Hammock
·
http://www.speerhammocks.com/Tips/Tips_on_hammock_camping.htm
·
http://www.flyfisher-kayaks.com/ultralite/ultrahammock.htm
·
http://www.flyfisher-kayaks.com/cgi-bin/hwiki.pl?Hammock_Tube
·
http://www.flyfisher-kayaks.com/cgi-bin/hwiki.pl?Building_A_Hammock
·
http://home.attbi.com/~egowtkimoto/
·
http://www.mindspring.com/~rgarling/Insulator.htm
·
http://www.uniqueprojects.com/projects/hammock/hammock.htm
· http://www.hammocksamerica.com/how_to_make_a_hammock/how_to_make_a_hammock.html
· http://www.shelter-systems.com/gripclips/hammock.html
History
of Hammocks
·
http://www.hammocksamerica.com/portable_hammock/portable_hammock.html
·
http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/hammock.htm
·
http://www.hammocks.net/hammock-history.html
·
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/whyhammock.htm
Camping
Hammock Use
·
http://www.hammockcamping.com/Tips/Tips.htm
·
http://www.hammockcamping.com/Newsletters/News.htm
·
http://www.speerhammocks.com/Tips/Tips_on_hammock_camping.htm
·
http://www.hammocksamerica.com/Camping_Hammocks/Camping_Hammocks.html
· http://www.hammocksamerica.com/jungle_hammock/jungle_hammock.html
·
http://www.shire.net/mormon/hamock.html
·
http://www.hikinghq.net/hammock/hammock.html
·
http://www.theplacewithnoname.com/hiking/sections/gear/shelter/whyhammock.htm
·
http://www.flyfisher-kayaks.com/ultralite/ultraindex.htm
·
http://www.flyfisher-kayaks.com/ultralite/ultradoublehammock.htm
·
http://www.lovetheoutdoors.com/camping/Tips/hammock.htm
How
To Stay Warm in a Hammock
·
http://www.speerhammocks.com/Tips/Tips_on_hammock_camping.htm
·
http://www.hammockcamping.com/Tips/Tips.htm
·
http://www.hammockcamping.com/Newsletters/Jan2003.htm
·
http://www.flyfisher-kayaks.com/ultralite/ultrahammock.htm
·
http://home.attbi.com/~egowtkimoto/
·
http://www.mindspring.com/~rgarling/Insulator.htm
·
http://www.thru-hiker.com/workshop.asp?subcat=5&cid=72
·
http://www.Speerhammocks.com\Reviews\Zirkel-Durham.htm Review of Speer Hammock & Big Agnes
Zirkel Sleeping Bag
General
Hammock Interest
·
http://www.goattracksmagazine.com Goat packers love hammocks too
·
http://www.myhammock.com Complete selection of hammocks and accessories
Online
Hammock Camping Discussion Sites
· http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hammockcamping Hammock Camping Email List
·
http://hikinghq.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=eb636c93eeabedf3780773543424349&forumid=74 Hammock Camping Forum
·
http://www.flyfisher-kayaks.com/cgi-bin/hwiki.pl Hammock Camping Wiki (group written
encyclopedia)
7-----------------
SPEER HAMMOCKS CALENDAR-----------------------
Meet
Ed Speer, buy a signed copy of the Hammock Camping book, and see the complete
line of camping hammocks and Pea Pod sleeping bags from Speer Hammocks at the
following events:
A.
April 2003 Mountain Crossings at Walasi-Yi (outfitter),
Neels Gap, GA. Various weekends during the northbound AT hiker wave.
E.
Oct 2003 ALDHA The Gathering, Hanover, NH, How To
Stay Warm workshop (free), How To Make Your Own Hammock workshop (free).
8--------------------UPCOMING
FEATURE ARTICLES---------------------
Hammock
Camping Comfort
Hammock
Camping Convenience
Hammock
Camping Freedom
How
To Avoid Cold Wind
Don't
miss a single issue--sign up now at: Hammock Camping News
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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This
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follow the easy instructions that accompany each issue.
Thanks
for your time and happy hammocking
Ed
"Not To Worry" Speer
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