Advantages
Of Hammock Camping
Selecting
A Hammock Campsite
Setting Up A Speer Hammock
Staying Warm In A Speer Hammock
Making A Speer Hammock
Buying A Hammock
Some Safety Do's and Don'ts
Advantages Of
Hammock Camping
·
When
properly fit, they are far more comfortable than ground beds
·
Complete
shelter with bug net and rain canopy
·
Large
8X10-foot rain canopy makes a stand up shelter with a bed fit for a
king
·
Reduced
tossing and turning
·
Horizontal
back- and fetal-sleep positions are possible
·
Reduced
back discomfort
·
No
more crawling around on the ground to make camp
·
Ultra
lightweight
·
Adequate
rain and storm protection
·
Make/break
camp in rain w\o pack items getting wet
·
Adjust
canopy for fair or foul weather
·
Unlimited
campsites in forested terrain
·
Greater
freedom than using tents or tarps
·
Generally
takes only minutes to find a campsite
·
Sleep
above rocks or roots
·
Sleep
above briers, cactus, poison oak, etc.
·
Quick
set up and take down
·
Use
as lounge chair
·
Avoid
snakes
·
Avoid
slugs and spiders
·
Avoid
sleeping on the hard ground, rocks or roots typical of many tent or
tarp sites
·
Avoid
sleeping on wet or uneven ground
·
Avoid
crowded or abused campsites
·
Hide
from cold wind behind mountain ridges
·
Avoid
storm-exposed campsites
·
Camp
at bug-free sites
·
Camp
at scenic sites
·
Camp
at sites with sunset or sunrise views
·
Camp
out of sight
·
Avoid
the food-robbing critters that are common at the usual ground campsites
·
Avoid
high-risk bear territory by camping in low-risk habitats unsuitable
for tents or tarps
·
Avoid
ground mice and rats
·
Camp
in greater peace and harmony with nature
·
Use
as tarp and bivy sack on the ground when no trees are available or temperatures
drop
·
Convenient
way to follow Leave No Trace camping ethics
·
Can
be custom made for any camper's height or weight
Return to Top
Selecting
A Hammock Campsite
·
Avoid
cold wind by camping on the lee side of hills, ridges or cliffs
·
Camp
on steep rugged mountainsides
·
Camp
on mountaintops with no suitable tent or tarp sites
·
Camp
on cliff tops
·
Camp
at base of cliffs, even in the midst of large breakdown boulders
·
Camp
deep in the forest
·
Camp
on rocky, brushy, wet or uneven ground
·
Avoid
camping near springs, streams or lakes
·
Camp
far from water sources by making dinner before stopping and making a
dry camp
·
Camp
in windy spots to keep bugs away
·
Avoid
wet buggy tent or tarp sites by finding dry bug-free sites
·
Camp
off the beaten track and out of sight
·
Camp
close to towns without being seen or disturbed
·
Camp
miles from the nearest tent campsite
·
Continue
traveling until dark or later, knowing you can easily make camp anywhere
only moments after deciding to do so
·
Avoid
worry of finding campsites already occupied
·
Set
up camp easily and quickly when bad weather strikes
·
Avoid
setting up in areas prone to heavy dew, such as open grassy meadows
on cold windless nights where all objects above the ground, including
the hammock, will collect excessive condensation
Return to Top
Setting
Up A Speer Hammock
·
Select
sturdy supports, such as trees, rocks, etc
·
Trees
should be at least 4" in diameter
·
Select
support spacing of 12-16'; generally 4-6 paces between trees
·
Avoid
tree damage by using flat webbing instead of round ropes
·
Avoid
tree damage by using overlapping 4-wrap knots
·
If
forced to tie a knot in a hanging strap, insert a stick or a large loop
of the free end of the strap into the knot to facilitate untying it
later
·
Loosen
the bug net support line before pitching the hammock
·
Position
2-4' of hanging strap on each end of hammock
·
Attach
hanging straps at same height above ground for level hammock
·
Set
up on sloping ground often requires tree knots at different heights
above the ground in order for hammock to be level
·
Before
occupying hammock, step back and visibly judge if it is level; readjust
setup if necessary
·
Shorten
one hanging strap or raise/lower one hanging strap tree knot to adjust
pitch of hammock
·
Leave
some sag in unoccupied hammock; do not stretch tight
·
Adjust
comfort by readjusting setup if necessary
·
Adjust
interior space below bug net by readjusting the support line after the
hammock is occupied
·
To
make camp in rain, set up canopy first
·
To
break camp in rain, take down canopy last
·
Use
socks or bandanas to stop rain from seeping along hanging straps and
reaching hammock
·
For
lounge chair, hang bug net and bug net support line out of the way over
the back side of the hammock
·
Remove
bug net and bug net support line to save weight in winter
·
When
bugs are not a problem, remove bug net for enhanced harmony with nature
and better star views
·
Stow
personal items like eyeglasses, wrist watches, flashlights, bandanas,
etc. by hanging them from the bug net support line inside the hammock
·
Stow
larger items like water bottle, shoes/boots, book/map, jacket, etc.
within reach on ground beneath hammock
·
Hang
backpack from hammock strap so it is beneath the rain canopy and does
not touch the ground
·
When
in porcupine country, hang shoes or boots from hammock straps; leave
nothing on the ground
·
Hang
wet or soiled clothing from hammock straps or rain canopy guidelines
·
Use
4-wrap knots for hammock and rain canopy as described in Chapter 1 to
ensure canopy is centered over hammock
·
In
high wind or stormy conditions, make sure all lines are tied tight;
use extra pull tabs on rain canopy
Return to Top
Staying
Warm In A Speer Hammock
·
Use
the Pea Pod Sleeping Bag completely around the hammock to avoid crushing
insulation on bottom!
·
Hide
from cold wind behind ridges, hills, cliffs, etc.
·
Use
layering system (sleeping bag, sleep pad, clothes, blanket, jacket,
vapor barrier bag, etc.)
·
Use
sleeping bags and sleep pads as needed
·
Wear
sleeping bag over you as a blanket
·
Use
pile and/or fleece clothing, liner, or blanket
·
Use
light colored fabrics for reflection of radiant heat
·
Wind/water
proof hammock bottom for cold wind, then remove when warm temperatures
return
·
Use
aluminized fabrics to block 97% of radiant heat loss, but watch for
excessive condensation
·
Choose
sleep pads greater than 22" wide
·
Avoid
extremely wide and thick sleep pads since they tend to buckle and create
uncomfortable bulges
·
Use
closed-cell foam pads (generally 1/4 to 5/8" thick)
·
Use
foam-or down-filled inflatable sleep pads (generally 1 to 3" thick)
·
Use
aluminum-covered bubble wrap sleep pads (windshield sunscreens or Reflectix
sheets cut to size)
·
Watch
for excessive condensation of body moisture with all sleep pads
·
Switch
to 1" thick sleep pad when temperatures drop below about 400F
·
Avoid
slippery sleep pads that shift underneath you; inexpensive non-slippery
foam pads are available
·
Wear
all available clothing in sleeping bag; be careful with non-breathable
fabrics
·
Use
vapor barrier bag or liner inside
sleeping bag
·
Use
Aluminized Mylar sheet (emergency or survival blankets) between hammock
and Pea Pod Sleeping Bag (beware possible excessive condensation)
·
To
avoid suffocation, never use vapor barrier over your face
·
Wear
rain/wind suit over underwear inside sleeping bag for make-shift vapor
barrier bag
·
Avoid
all vapor barriers (including all waterproof/breathable fabrics) on
the outside of sleeping bag since they will trap excessive body
condensation
·
Most
good quality sleeping bags already have DWR treatments on outer fabric
for effective wind blocking
·
Do
not wear all available clothing inside vapor barrier bag or everything
will be soaked the next morning
·
If
using a vapor barrier bag, have some dry clothing to put on in the morning
·
Vent
your breath outside, not inside the sleeping bag
·
Air
dry your sleeping bag as much as possible every day since body moisture
accumulates in it every night
·
Eat
nutritious, easily-digested food for calories to burn for warmth
·
Eat
just before going to bed; use sleep-robbing sugar or caffeine sparingly
·
Snack
during the night for calories to burn for warmth
·
Avoid
dehydration by drinking lots of water day
and night
·
When
the gear you have is not enough to keep you warm--try sleeping on the
ground, returning to the comfort of the hammock as soon as warmer temperatures
return
Return to Top
Making
A Speer Hammock
·
Making
your own hammock is simple and fun
·
Costs
about $100 and, with materials in hand, takes 1-2 days
·
All
fabrics and materials can be mail ordered
·
You
will need a regular sewing machine and only minimal sewing skills
·
Use
regular needles and 100% polyester thread
·
Avoid
cotton or cotton-covered polyester thread since it absorbs water and
quickly rots in outdoor environments
·
Use
breathable hammock bottoms to reduce buildup of body moisture in sleeping
bag
·
Choose
strong, low-stretch, sun- and rot-resistant nylon fabrics for hammock
bottom
·
If
you are less than 250 pounds: use 1.9 oz/yd2 ripstop or 70
denier 2.2 oz/yd2 taffeta and 1"-wide polypropylene or polyester
webbing straps
·
If
you are between 250 and 350 pounds: use Supplex in 2.5 to 3.5 oz/yd2 weights and 1"-wide polypropylene or polyester webbing straps
·
Choose
light natural colors for better radiant heat retention than dark colors
·
Inexpensive
discount fabrics may be locally available
·
Interior
hammock length should be your height plus 2'
·
Hammock
width should be 5'
·
Except
for hems, do not sew hammock fabric; use single piece to avoid catastrophic
failure due to needle-hole weakened fabric along seams
·
Tie
overhand end knots on each end of hammock fabric
·
Allow
extra fabric for hammock end knots (24-30")
·
Use
1.1 oz/yd2 silicone-coated ripstop nylon for the rain canopy
·
Large
8' X 10' rain canopy provides convenient stand-up shelter
·
Rain
canopy is made from two 5' X 8' fabric pieces, joined by a central seam
to get finished 8' X 10' size
·
Use
reinforced "flat felled" seam to join the two rain canopy
panels
·
Rain
canopy central seam must be waterproofed
·
Inexpensive
silicone seam sealant can be made from solvent and household silicone
caulking
·
Make
sure guidelines on rain canopy are 10' long for set up over the hanging
hammock or as a tarp on the ground
·
Avoid
limp guidelines on rain canopy since they tangle badly
·
Use
1/16" Pulse Line for guidelines since they are low-tangle, lightweight,
strong and highly visible
·
Install
at least ten pull tabs on the rain canopy to allow for secure set up,
even in strong wind
·
Install
grommets on the rain canopy's ridgeline pull tabs to allow convenient
use of most hiking poles as tarp supports when set up on the ground
(use hiking poles upside down)
·
Use
no-see-um bug netting for complete bug protection
·
Bug
net is held by an adjustable bug net support line; readjust it for each
setup
·
Use
1.0 oz/yd2 100% polyester no-see-um bug netting
·
Use
black bug netting for best see-through feature from inside hammock
·
Avoid
mosquito netting which will allow small biting gnats to pass through
·
Attach
bug net to hammock with hook and loop fasteners for hassle-free, dependable
entry and exit
·
Bug
net should be completely removable
·
Use
low-memory stretch, strong, non-water absorbent and rot-resistant polypropylene
webbing for hammock straps
·
Be
sure to choose good quality polypropylene webbing with tensile strength
of at least 600 lbs/in.
·
Some
1" wide polypropylene webbing is not strong enough, ask before
buying
·
Avoid
nylon webbing for hammock straps due to its' excessive high-memory stretch
·
Attach
hanging straps to hammock by sewing a loop in each strap at each hammock
end knot
·
Avoid
tying tight knots in hammock straps since they weaken the strap at the
knots themselves
·
Properly
reinforced stitching is stronger than knots in the straps
Return to Top
Buying
A Hammock
·
Choose
a solid fabric hammock for proper suspension, weight distribution, comfort
and safety
·
Choose
a hammock with bug net and rain canopy
·
Choose
a hammock with an extra large rain canopy for dependable, convenient
and secure wilderness use
·
Consider
a hammock with a rain canopy large enough to offer storm protection
when pitched as stand-up shelter
·
Military-type
jungle hammocks may lack the comfort necessary for long-term use
·
String
net hammocks may lack long-term comfort
·
Avoid
hammocks with spreader bars if they raise the user too close to the
tip-over point
·
Avoid
or return any hammock that tips over or feels like it will
·
Consider
the weight of hammock, rain canopy and bug net; heavy units may be inappropriate
for uses like long-distance hiking
·
Study
the reviews in Chapter 7, "How To Buy a Hammock"
·
Review
manufactures literature including the Internet sites given in Chapter
7 and Appendix 3
·
Some
hammocks may come with rain canopies that lack guidelines or require
additional waterproofing
·
Remember,
hammock comfort in general is dependent on length. Longer is more comfortable,
so avoid short hammocks
·
Choose
a hammock with interior length at least 2 feet longer than your height
for best comfort (stretched-cot type hammocks may not need this extra
length)
·
For
safety, choose a hammock suitable for your weight
·
For
serious wilderness use, consider a hammock that also conveniently sets
up on the ground as a tarp and bivy sack
·
Consider
a hammock with removable bug net for the increased-warmth use of a sleeping
bag around the hammock
·
Consider
a removable bug net for using the hammock as a lounge chair
·
Consider
a removable bug net for weight savings during bug-free season
·
Consider
a removable rain canopy for improved views when not needed
·
Consider
the actual usefulness of extra items like interior pockets, bottom pockets,
interior pad retainers, wind shells, bottom entry, zippers, etc.
·
Some
extra features may be desirable for some uses, for instance car camping,
cabin or backyard users may not be as concerned about weight and storm
protection as long-term wilderness trekkers
·
Hammocks
for children may need extra material strength for safety
Return to Top
Some
Safety Do's and Don'ts
·
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
sunlight 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
·
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 to 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 may 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 PeaPod 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
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