Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

I believe that all Hennessy hammocks come with Spectra cord rope attached for suspension, the easiest way I've found to do it is put a climbing carabiner and 2 descending rings on the tree straps, and run the rope through the rings with a half hitch back up so it doesn't slide. Works great, I may go back to that instead of the webbing straps.

 

I use the Grand Trunk straps with tree saver sleeve and they work great for the hammock. No stretch, and you can untie and move the knots to dial in your tension. Those or ENOs work great. For my tarp, I just used micro paracord and some small aluminum guy line tensioners with a small s-biner. Wraps around the tree fast, tightens quick, and clips right to the tightener.

 

I usually put it under and if rainy, my umbrella over it.

 

There are sling bags made to hold gear under your hammock and off the ground, but I've always done the 2 logs or two large rocks trick, laid my pack straps down, and kept the pack cover on if it's raining. Keeps it off the ground in case of running flood water, but keeps it under my tarp and accessible even from inside the hammock.

 

I prob go this route. Thanks!

 

I usually don't bring umbrellas camping. Not sure I even own an umbrella. hahaha

 

It's funny, 'cause this just reminded me that my geometry teacher back in high school told us about his hikes on the PCT and he would take an umbrella backpacking! He said he liked it better than having to pull out a rain jacket and the pack cover and then he could use it for defense against wildlife if need be. Not sure the efficacy of whacking a bear with an umbrella, but it's at least better than nothing, I guess.

 

What a pain in the ass. I'd rather have both hands on my hiking poles instead of dealing with an umbrella. What about blowing rain coming in from the sides? That's a whole lot of nope.

 

Dont know if you guys are aware, but hillpeoplegear has a sale going on right now. The mountain serape, well imo its better than any woobie ever created. id wear it out to dinner....if my wife wouldnt yell at me every time i wanted to wear it.

 

Yeah I don't remember if he used hiking poles, but I want to say he used one of the big umbrellas and I vaaaguely remember him saying he used it as a walking stick if he needed it. The bigger umbrella would also provide a bit more coverage, but I agree. Pretty terrible compromise for three different things.

 

On the PCT i had a Golite umbrella that i rigged up to the shoulder strap of my backpack. I used a piece of pvc round tubing and baline wire and put the handle of the umbrella in there, and that way hands were free or used my Leki trekking poles. Umbrella was mainly for shade, and some rain, but if it rained too hard we'd just set up camp.

 

I love this thread!

 

Even though GoLite is out of business it seems that Gossamer Gear is the only one carrying hiking umbrella's. They mount to the shoulder straps the same way though. We carried one on the AT, LT, and OT. Provides a good amount a shade, but only a decent job with rain.

Everyone is talking about at hammocks, everybody is carry heavy ass straps, and hammocks. Go checkout Dutchware Gear for some ultralite Kevlar straps. You can also get some lite hammocks from BIAS that weigh in at 9oz. I tried a hammock for about a month when I hiked the Appalachian Trail this year. My setup on the AT came it at just around 35oz for everything. After that month I switched back to a tent, and same some packing weight.

 

Question, I'm prepping for the AT next year and have changed over to hammocks over the past year, year and a half. What made you make the switch back to tent camping? How was your personal experience hiking it? Any foreseeable problems on the AT for hammocks?

 

It is one of the more useful things for me that is carried on a multiday trip.

It vents so much better.

Less stuff makes everything lighter. If the equipment is smaller and lighter, you may not need poles. Funny cause I feel like poles make me clunky and awkward in the woods. Not that an parasol doesn't....hahaha
Gonna get wet no matter what and there is nothing I hate more than rain in my face.

Great idea.

That is too bad that they are out of business. My GoLite is great.

 

The company is coming back under a different name. I had a few things from them, but get rid of them once they went under. No point in having something with a lifetime warranty that you can't warranty.

My wife, dog, and I hiked the AT this year. We hung under the same tarp with the use of some spreader bars. In the end we found that we slept better on the ground. A lot of it has to do with the weather, and being cold. Hammocks are great for warmer backpacking trip in my opinion. With having to carry a top quilt, under quilt, and the gear. The weight started adding up. Given the time of the year we started we really didn't have warm weather until the last 800 miles or so. More and more people are using hammocks on the AT , and they're great for lessening the impact, and LNT. I don't see any issues with having them except some place ask you not to use them. You'll be able to find somewhere to hang at almost every shelter along the way.

If you have any gear questions, or any questions about the trail let me. One piece of advise is to bring more than two pairs of socks! You'll see a common trend in foot condition between people who have 2 pairs or socks, and people that have 4 pairs of socks.

When do you plan on starting? Heading north, south, or flip-flop? Feel free to shoot me a PM, and I can go over things in more detail if you want. Hiking the AT was life changing for us, and we're already planning for the next long distance hike.

 

Haha.

Would have been funnier if I didn't have a mouthful of salad.

 

Anyone use Yaktrax for extra traction in snow/ice on mild hikes or walking around in snowy areas? I'm wondering if they're ok enough for that or if you really just need crampons/spikes.

 

They work pretty well on ice. I've used them several time. MicroSpikes are they way to go though.