Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Made the weiner a coat today. The fabric is light weight and waterproof. Insulation is Climashield apex 5oz. Best part is it compacts to about the size of a baseball easily so we can always bring her a coat for camping. I'll be making a more polished version that's a little longer in a week or two.

 

You can find a Double Black Diamond Ultralight down quilt on line for $37.95 (Amazon) and modify that easily for an underquilt.

 

^Also a great idea and would be easier to do.

 

How do these underquilts attach to a hammock? I have a Hennessy hyperlite so the bug bet is sewn to the hammock.

I only am able to find ENO underquilts online.

 

That's not really a issue.

 

Ha, gotta love the sausage draggers!!!



My two. All three of us just woke up from a nap in my hammock set up in the back yard...

 

Not a weiner dog, but since you mentioned napping with your dog in your hammock. This was at donkey lake in the john Muir wilderness. Woke up to partially frozen water. Forgot my sleeping pad and didn't have an underquilt. It was a very cold night. Ended up throwing that textbook under me as a form of insulation. Hahaha

 

Mines about middle ground, 1.5 person. But it was custom made...

I'm a side sleeper too. No issues at all.

Small bungee cord line.
Check out Jacks R Better (JRB) and hammockforums.net. There's a whole page of vendors there. (Beware, it's a rabbit hole, see you in a few days!)

 

I'm a side sleeper too Love my single.

 

@IronPeak4x4 I'm a side sleeper too, i love my hammock! I use a warbonnet ridgerunner double layer (iirc its been a long time since I ordered it) has 2 layers so I can put my sleeping pad in the hammock but it doesn't slip around. Some of the best nights ive spent camping (down to 30deg.) We're in that hammock with sleeping pad and bag.

 

I have been using a Grand Trunk Skeet Beeter Pro for a couple of years. It has an integrated bug net (just flip it to the underside if you don't need to use it). I added an underquilt from DD Hammocks (in the UK) last year and that has been wonderful. It hangs on the bottom the hammock, keeps the wind off of you and keeps your butt and back warm. When using that, I will just cover up with my woobie (poncho liner) or an unzipped sleeping bag.

I tried out top quilt from DD Hammocks and love that. It is just a blanket, but has snaps at the bottom so you can make a foot box. Works great and I have added this to my gear.

I also use a 9mx9m tarp from DD Hammocks. I went with this one as it has multiple tie outs sewn in and is very durable. I added a hammock sleeve as well. This is a tube with drawstings at each end. When you are not using your hammock, this is pulled over the hammock (and underquilt) to protect it from whatever comes along. It also makes it very easy to take down and set up when you move. Just slide the sleeve over the the hammock and UQ, un hook and you are good to go.

I do want to give a shout out to DD Hammock (yeah, surprise there). I have ordered stuff from them on Saturday and it arrived at my door on Tuesday, coming all the way from the UK to Iowa. All of their stuff is top quality and works better than expected.

Here are a couple of pictures of my hammock camping setup.

 

Okay, I'm getting pretty excited for an old guy. Only a couple of days till I head west for 3 days backpacking in the Grand Canyon. First time backpacking in over 25 years. A have a friend (who is the same height that I am) offered to loan me some equipment. He brought 6 backpacks and 6 bed mats for me to choose from. So far the only things I've purchased have been a tent, footprint, stove, cooking gear, eating utensils, and of course, new boots. Yessir, I'm pretty excited!

 

Sounds like an awesome trip. Make sure you try out the gear you choose and get those boots broken in before you hit the trail. We'll be looking forward to seeing pictures.

Where will you be going in the Grand Canyon? I know the North Rim is closed (day use only until it snows).

 

Boots (Keen Targhee II) are being worn daily so I'm in good shape there. Not so sure about the rest of me though, lol.

We'll Take South Kaibab trail down, spend 2 nights in Bright Angel Campground, head up Bright Angel trail and spend one night in Indian Garden Campground. We wanted to be where potable water was available, plus since I haven't done this in a long time, I didn't want to "bite off more than I could chew" as my mother used to say.

 

Sounds like a great trip. Crowds should be diminishing by now.

 

That was our thought. I actually got the first set of dates on my backcountry permit application. Looks like it's going to be great weather.

 

I love my hammock

 

Hey, backpackers, I have a question about packing. For space reasons, I'm going to attach my sleeping bag externally. What do you use to attach it? Bungee, webbing, paracord...inquiring minds need to know.

 

Put it in the stuff stack, smash it down as small as you can get it and then use a couple of webbing straps or paracord to attach it to the bottom of your pack.

 

I generally if outside the pack attach it in a Waterproof bag with Bungees