Date: 2008-06-01
From: Silver Spring, MD

To: Discussion of Hennessy Hammock
Miles today: 0.0

Okay. Today is Sunday and I'm kind of in a holding pattern about the possible new job until tomorrow. That's when I'll be contacting the company rep and scheduling one/two interviews to take place in a day or two. In the interim I've done some internet research on the company, benefits, etc. That's about all on that subject for now.Although I won't be actually hiking during this coming week, and will be concentrating primarily on the job possibility, I'll still have plenty of time to go over my gear (currently being used) and tweak it based upon recent performance on my hike.Along with that "tweaking" I'd like to spend a bit of time and go over in Trail Journals some things I have learned or experienced thus far relevant to the items I'm carrying. I realize that after completing 1400 miles of a thru-hike most hikers are somewhat sick of discussing gear, gear options, etc. But my thoughts are primarily intended for those of you who aren't hiking currently and may do so in the near future.EXPERIENCES WITH THE HENNESSY HAMMOCKI thought I'd start with my Hennessy Hammock since (other than my pack) it has been the most significant piece of gear change recently.I already had the hammock at home but had not been using it. Then StormenNorm and Water Bear asked to give it a try and did so. That kinda tweaked my interest. I had been happy using my MSR Hubba tent - no real complaints. But the hammock weighed about three pounds less. Also, it could be pitched where the tent couldn't - the Penn. rocks; the Whites (stealth), etc. I did replace my older, smaller hammock fly with the newer, 30% larger Hennessy fly for better rain coverage. Otherwise, the newer hammock appears identical to the earlier version. That means I now have a replacement hammock available if something gives out on my current hammock.I have tried to pack the hammock in a way that allows a decent setup time during a rain event. That meant keeping the tarp attached to the hammock and packed so that one end, with Spectra line can be pulled out and tied off to a tree before removing the remainder of the hammock from it's waterproof sack.At first I found it a bit harder than expected to pick two, suitable trees to hang the hammock from. I was often under or over-estimating the distance needed between the trees. So I practiced by stepping off the number of feet between trees for the minimum and maximum distances that will work for the hammock. I can do this "step-off" every time before even pulling the hammock out of its bag.I also replaced the cords that tie out the tarp and tension the hammock to the sides. The factory-supplied cords seemed too thin to work with easily. So I used standard tent-pole shock cording for the hammock sides. And for the tarp pull-outs I used something like a 2.5mm Spectra-type line that I had at home. I've tried to identify it's name/type but haven't been able to. It is a relatively "stiff" cord that allows for easy removal of knots.The low temps in New York have ranged from the mid-40's to mid 50's. Even at the upper range, I've found it really helps to still use a closed cell pad in the hammock. Without the pad it is too cool for me to sleep comfortably. I have been using a Z-Rest pad and it has kept me warm. But it is only 20 inches wide and it is easy to get off the pad when you turn in your sleep. There is a Ridgerest closed cell pad that is 25 inches wide. If I continue the hike I'll probably buy that and trim the length down to about five feet.The problem still exists of positioning yourself in the hammock while keeping the pad and sleeping bag in position. Someone else probably has a better way. I just spread out the pad and lay on it/position myself. Then I put my feet into the sleeping bag and work the bag under me until it is pulled up to my head.I have really taking advantage of the storage capability of the mesh holder and two hooks on the ridge line. As a matter of fact, I have so much gear hanging from the ridge line that I'm a bit concerned about the line either breaking or fraying when I slide items along the ridge line. I've read that the ridge line can be easily replaced with a stronger, more durable cord. And that carabiners can be attached to allow the ridge line to be removed when desired. I may try that out.From a "getting wet" standpoint: I try to hang the hammock as high off the ground as possible. That helps prevent splashing water from hitting the hammock. And, positioning the tarp as closed to the hammock/ground as possible to keep out rain/promote rain-runoff on the tarp. But that is pretty much common sense.Since I'm using a really small pack (Golite Breeze) there really isn't any piece of gear I can't bring into the tent with me. Just the food bag stays out at night. I use a snaplink on the pack attaching it to the ridge line loop at the foot end of the hammock. That makes it very easy to stand on the ground, body inside the hammock, and get items from the pack. Muddy boots are tied to the ridge line and dropped through the velcro opening.When packing the hammock after a rain, I put the relatively dry hammock in one water-proof sack and the wet tarp in its own sack. That keeps the tarp moisture from getting something else in the pack wet.There is some debate about how to tie out the hammock to the trees when setting it up. Some say to pull the cords as tight as possible; others say to allow some slack. I've usually pulled the cords as tight as possible and tied them in place. Sgt. Rock or others may object totally.All for now. If I think of some more things regarding the hammock, I'll followup. In my next entry I'd like to discuss the Golite Breeze pack that I'm currently using. There are definitely some trade-offs with that pack.