Well I took the plunge..I've had my DD travel hammock and 3X3 tarp for a month or so so I headed out into the cuds for a trial last night.
I'd already had a couple of dry runs and sorted out the basic: brewing bad coffee, trying to light the Trangia look-alike with a bic lighter and putting the tarp and hammock up - I wouldn't have survived this if I'd just gone for it, there's so much to get right, and so much to fall short on.
The simplest things were blessings: knowing the basic knots: a prussic, taught hitch, evenk. utility line, under blanket below the hammock, a book to read, modded hammock with carabinas, sharp bushknife for extra pegs, extra cordage...
What went right: I stayed the course. I had a decent meal before bed (rat pack beef and veg), I didn't freak at being alone with the lions and tigers, the tarp and hammock were outstanding.
What didn't go right: the underblanket was actually a sleeping bag which didn't stay in place and didn't cover completely: this needs either modifying or changing for 'the real thing'. Other than that nothing
I woke often through the night from the cold (minus 4 and a strong NW tramontane wind), had a couple of widdles and snook an extra pair of socks on about 3am. As I think back to it now I know I'm going to enjoy this coming summer; and so are my lads.
Just after 8am, not much heat in that sun
Thanks for looking.
I'd already had a couple of dry runs and sorted out the basic: brewing bad coffee, trying to light the Trangia look-alike with a bic lighter and putting the tarp and hammock up - I wouldn't have survived this if I'd just gone for it, there's so much to get right, and so much to fall short on.
The simplest things were blessings: knowing the basic knots: a prussic, taught hitch, evenk. utility line, under blanket below the hammock, a book to read, modded hammock with carabinas, sharp bushknife for extra pegs, extra cordage...
What went right: I stayed the course. I had a decent meal before bed (rat pack beef and veg), I didn't freak at being alone with the lions and tigers, the tarp and hammock were outstanding.
What didn't go right: the underblanket was actually a sleeping bag which didn't stay in place and didn't cover completely: this needs either modifying or changing for 'the real thing'. Other than that nothing
I woke often through the night from the cold (minus 4 and a strong NW tramontane wind), had a couple of widdles and snook an extra pair of socks on about 3am. As I think back to it now I know I'm going to enjoy this coming summer; and so are my lads.
Just after 8am, not much heat in that sun
Thanks for looking.