Hammock and Bivi skills practice at home.

[Falstaff]

I was in my Alpkit Elan "body bag" for the biker party last weekend, which got some amazed comments, and somebody snuck some dried fish in as a joke. (Which I thought was funny, and tasty).
However, having been unable to get out properly at all for quite while, I've decided to practice some skills in the garden while it's warm and dry. I tried a hammock for the first time at the '24 Winter moot and didn't really feel I'd got it sorted.
So rigged it up last night on the decking posts - shocked to find I'd forgotten how to tie an easy tieline adjustable knot! (and the recommended hammock knots)
Also surprised to find the Buffalo sleeping bag wasn't warm enough. And my old headtorch is on the blink. I'm changing the bag for tonight.

Then Tues/Wed maybe play around with a few different tarp shelters with a 3x3. I love my OEX pro but at 2x2.4 some of the enclosed formats are a bit too cramped.

Not sure if I can make the Wilderness - it'll be a last minute decision/£?, with minimal kit as I'll be on the motorbike.
I don't know this site, any recommendations tarp/tent/hammock from anyone who went last year.? I guess most of the best spots will be gone by the time I get there.

 

[Chris]

You really need an under quilt or sleeping mat for a hammock (latter is more tricky) or you’ll freeze your backside off. Consider that even with the thickest winter bag, your bodyweight is compressing the bag on the underside of you to the point it’s completely uninsulated.

Also whoopie slings. No need for knots with cold fingers.

 

[Nice65]

You really need an under quilt or sleeping mat for a hammock (latter is more tricky) or you’ll freeze your backside off. Consider that even with the thickest winter bag, your bodyweight is compressing the bag on the underside of you to the point it’s completely uninsulated.

Also whoopie slings. No need for knots with cold fingers.

My old Claytor Jungle hammock has a double layer at the bottom so using a mat is a doddle, just slip the mat in and it stays put.

I’d guess our man above knows about the underlayer and is genuinely on about the bag being underrated for the night temp.

Finicking a hammock setup definitely takes a while for sure, and much is horses for courses finding the Goldilocks hammock pitch.

 

[Falstaff]

Thanks, yes I do have those bits thanks, and had a mat in place, but did not consider an underquilt necessary in the middle of an August heatwave.
The issue is the bag rating not the hammock set up. It was designed for the army and seems to be more of an outer bag that needs an inner. Others on Youtube have said the same thing.
By the time I'd cycled home in the rain it was coming down steady, so instead of taking the snake off and changing the bag in the rain, I whimped out and took the bed!

 

[Tony]

How's the hammocking going?

 

[Falstaff]

Given up outside for now, too much rain and gales/other priorities.
Putting a lightweight summer bag in the buffalo helped a lot - in an August heatwave!! Now the rains are here I've given up trying but it was a useful exercise.
I also tried to put up a totally enclosed 3x3 tarp and walking stick. Looks easy on U-tube in a flat calm - not so easy, setting it out needs experience/practice, I won't be relying on that one for now. I'm also not used to a 3x3 and found it a bit big.
Also tried an open-sided 1/2 pyramid, but with a low raised ground edge/rain overhang. The idea being a bit more protection if the wind & rain moves round in the night (it will) and maybe a bit more thermal benefit. Was ok but needs practice.
I've got whoopee slings on a Nightcat hammock, but the exercise was about ridgelines and the hang of the hammock for comfort, which was useful.
In the brighter spells I've been playing with trying fire by magnifying glass. Got the right size etc but seem to have lost my schoolboy skill at focussing and burning stuff! Again, highlights the need to re-learn/practice.