7wt
Expedition Leader
Ever since my fiance expressed her disinterest in camping I have been thinking about streamlining my camping gear. I have been reading a bit about hammocks online and decided that would be the perfect thing to test out. A hammock takes up nothing in the way of space so even if it didn't work out like I had planned for sleeping, it would be cool to keep in the truck for an afternoon nap or some fancy book reading under the trees. Buying a camping hammock can actually be an inundating process. There is so much to learn before the duckets are spent. What type of hammock, what brand, underquilt, overquilt, one layer or two, type of suspension? The list goes on and on. I decided to dip my toe in the water with a Warbonnet Traveler. The hammock is typical of the gathered end hammocks with a ridge line to set the correct sag. At first I thought I should get another model with a sewn in bugnet but decided that would get in the way on a nice afternoon hang, and possibly be a little constraining. Plus the gathered end hammocks are usually a lot cheaper, meaning that if I missed the mark and the thing sucked I wouldn't be out more than $60 or so. Also, Warbonnet and a few other guys make an external bugnet for when the weather warms up and things get, well a little buggy.
I tested my new toy out yesterday and this afternoon. I had some stuff to read for school this week so I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone and study while swinging in the breeze. Talk about comfortable! I will NEVER go back to sleeping on the ground again. As hard as I tried, I could not find an uncomfortable position. I can't wait for the first overnighter in it but first I need to get an underquilt to cut the wind blowing on my backside. I also need to learn how to set up my tarp properly so I can keep the leaves and rain from falling on my head. I spent over two hours laying in the thing today, reading and napping with not one hint of a stiff back. Yap yap yap, now onto the pics,
Not much to look at here but simplicity is where this hammock shines.
If you lay at a slight angle off the center ridgeline, you can find a board flat lay. No bent backs or pressure on the calves here!
Luisa calls this the famous figure 4 sleeping position. I don't know why, I use it more than any others making it my #1 sleeping position.
Yup, I am stupidly impressed with this thing. From here out I will never have to worry about sleeping on some rock or stick that always presents itself after your tent is pitched. Plus this is totally "leave no trace". There is not flattened down area where the tent was and no need to de-rock and stick your campsite. To top it all off, I was hanging about three minutes after I picked out my trees. You just can't beat that.
I tested my new toy out yesterday and this afternoon. I had some stuff to read for school this week so I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone and study while swinging in the breeze. Talk about comfortable! I will NEVER go back to sleeping on the ground again. As hard as I tried, I could not find an uncomfortable position. I can't wait for the first overnighter in it but first I need to get an underquilt to cut the wind blowing on my backside. I also need to learn how to set up my tarp properly so I can keep the leaves and rain from falling on my head. I spent over two hours laying in the thing today, reading and napping with not one hint of a stiff back. Yap yap yap, now onto the pics,
Not much to look at here but simplicity is where this hammock shines.
If you lay at a slight angle off the center ridgeline, you can find a board flat lay. No bent backs or pressure on the calves here!
Luisa calls this the famous figure 4 sleeping position. I don't know why, I use it more than any others making it my #1 sleeping position.
Yup, I am stupidly impressed with this thing. From here out I will never have to worry about sleeping on some rock or stick that always presents itself after your tent is pitched. Plus this is totally "leave no trace". There is not flattened down area where the tent was and no need to de-rock and stick your campsite. To top it all off, I was hanging about three minutes after I picked out my trees. You just can't beat that.
