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boisdevie1



Joined: 11 Aug 2006
Posts: 3897
Location: Lancaster
PostPosted: Mon Mar 16, 15 2:29 pm    Post subject: Sew far sew good Reply with quote
    

This year I'm planning to bugger off as much as possible. But since I'm time rich (unemployed) and money poor (unemployed) I have to make my own kit. So I've made my first ever hammock from 1.1oz ripstop nylon - 230g less straps. I'm still amazed how such lightweight material can support my weight.
I've also done a 2.4x3m silnylon tarp 360g.


Graham Hyde



Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Posts: 365

PostPosted: Mon Mar 16, 15 10:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Looks good boisdevie1.
I use a hammock on a regular basis. I fit wooden spreader bars at the head and foot which allows a better sleeping position.
Give it a try.

boisdevie1



Joined: 11 Aug 2006
Posts: 3897
Location: Lancaster
PostPosted: Mon Mar 16, 15 10:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Graham Hyde wrote:
Looks good boisdevie1.
I use a hammock on a regular basis. I fit wooden spreader bars at the head and foot which allows a better sleeping position.
Give it a try.


I did consider spreader bars but my goal is ultralightweight and spreader bars = more weight. I'll see how I get on with this. One option might be to use walking poles as spreader bars - using something that I already have.

sean
Downsizer Moderator


Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42207
Location: North Devon
PostPosted: Mon Mar 16, 15 10:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Could you not just use random sticks as spreader bars rather than carrying special ones with you?

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45377
Location: yes
PostPosted: Mon Mar 16, 15 10:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

hammocks are ace ,learn the evenk hitch (google ) for the adjustable end and use a carabiner on the other end

tis a fast knot up or down in the wet or wearing gloves or in the dark when tired and emotional


tie the lines on the tarp so as they work in a variety of situations and make a point of being tidy when packing up ,ie hank the lines,so as putting up is easy

pack the tarp at the top of the bag and even a short stop in the rain is a short stop in the dry

the tarp/hammock combo is ace in many places and almost all weather

an extra length of tape or thin rope gives even more scope to where and how the combo can be comfy.

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45377
Location: yes
PostPosted: Mon Mar 16, 15 11:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

ps poly prop rope works but if you can get some decent braided or braid mantle cordage it is much easier to use

cassandra



Joined: 27 Mar 2013
Posts: 1733
Location: Tasmania Australia
PostPosted: Thu Mar 26, 15 10:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Sean's idea is a good one. If you insert double-reinforced pockets in the appropriate places, and a loop in the middle to hold the fabric close to the bar, then cutting a suitable stick at your destination will make for an easy and comfier sleep.

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45377
Location: yes
PostPosted: Thu Mar 26, 15 10:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

another good method towards comfort is to put your carry mat between your goretex bivvy bag and your sleeping bag .

im a big fan of hammock camping but i use a light net one rather than fabric .im not familiar with fabric but i expect that they are fairly similar apart from fabric could fill up if the roof leaks

the goretex bivvy bag does weigh just under a kilo but is an ace bit of kit and the kilo can be regained with a 700gm down bag rather than a huge 2.5kg hollowfil one.even in summer warm night kit is needed.

the german mil spec folding carry mats are far better than owt that rools up from "camping" shops.

astra



Joined: 05 Apr 2010
Posts: 1243
Location: Somerset
PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 15 8:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Sounds like a stupid question but doesn't sleeping in a hammock give you back ache?

I'd planned to do a bit more camping this year but had discounted using a hammock.

Falstaff



Joined: 27 May 2009
Posts: 1014

PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 15 8:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

astra wrote:
Sounds like a stupid question but doesn't sleeping in a hammock give you back ache?

I'd planned to do a bit more camping this year but had discounted using a hammock.


Put simply - er - No !

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hennessy-Hammock-Explorer-Deluxe-Asym-ZIP-with-Snakeskin-/251618129830?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3a959bf7a6

Behemoth



Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds
PostPosted: Sat Mar 28, 15 9:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Got myself an ex army bivi, not used in anger yet. With sleeping bag and inflatable mat makes quite a compact bed roll. Might get a tarp for that touch of luxury.

astra



Joined: 05 Apr 2010
Posts: 1243
Location: Somerset
PostPosted: Sun Mar 29, 15 7:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Falstaff wrote:
astra wrote:
Sounds like a stupid question but doesn't sleeping in a hammock give you back ache?

I'd planned to do a bit more camping this year but had discounted using a hammock.


Put simply - er - No !

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hennessy-Hammock-Explorer-Deluxe-Asym-ZIP-with-Snakeskin-/251618129830?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3a959bf7a6


That's some hammock!

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45377
Location: yes
PostPosted: Sun Mar 29, 15 7:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

iirc my ex mil net one was about a tenner,fifteen for the light nylon tarp. seven for a folding mat ,goretex bag about fifty .a 3m2 super thin nylon anti midge sheet from a cloth shop was another tenner .

i dont like to think about the price of super light down sleeping bag but in a sale it was half price

the whole lot is a little bit over 3.5 kg counting some tapes a crab and a few bits of paracord.

4 season and can be hung most places from trees ,rocks etc etc but the same kit is ok on the floor if there is no vertical to use .

Falstaff



Joined: 27 May 2009
Posts: 1014

PostPosted: Mon Mar 30, 15 12:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

astra wrote:
Falstaff wrote:
astra wrote:
Sounds like a stupid question but doesn't sleeping in a hammock give you back ache?

I'd planned to do a bit more camping this year but had discounted using a hammock.


Put simply - er - No !

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hennessy-Hammock-Explorer-Deluxe-Asym-ZIP-with-Snakeskin-/251618129830?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3a959bf7a6


That's some hammock!


Yes - Isn't it ?

They're a bit of a point of pride among their owners and You-tube has a great many clips about them on it - from puttiong them up in record time to Arctic survival stuff !

I combined mine with a 5 season forces bag set at a similar sort of price (can't find the equiv on e-bay atm), but with those two, a Kelly kettle, Millbank bag and fire steel, a lad could go "up river" for a few weeks in a canoe otl and get as close to freedom as perhaps it is possible in the uk without giving up on a "real life" entirely !

boisdevie1



Joined: 11 Aug 2006
Posts: 3897
Location: Lancaster
PostPosted: Mon Mar 30, 15 8:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

dpack wrote:
another good method towards comfort is to put your carry mat between your goretex bivvy bag and your sleeping bag .


I've devised a way to fasten the karrimat to the bottom of my sleeping bag so it doesn't move around in the night. I have a 3 season hollofill bag. If I (ever) have the funds I'll go for a down bag or might make a down bag myself.

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