Hammock in New England?

imported
#1

I am on a thru-hike, and just entered Vermont. I am using a Hennessy Hammock. Nights are already getting cold. Should I switch back to my tent, or will the hammock suffice through New Hampshire and Maine?
Namaste,
Bankrobber

Bankrobber

#2

I’ve used my hammock in NH’s White Mountains this time of year. On a six day hike last year I had two nights where I was chilled. I went researching to find a way to warm up and found some info at Hennessy’s website. I havn’t had a chance to try it out but here is the information:

http://www.hennessyhammock.com/reflector.htm

celt

#3

I used my Hennessy all the way from Ga to Maine. I got a little cold in Ga but in Maine I was ok. Just put down a Ridge Rest first and layed directly on it. Some fleece would help too. When did you get it? Must have been when it was hot.

Virginian

#4

How does your Hennessy perform in the rain? Any problems with rain following the support lines down? Have an oversize rain fly? From looking on their website seems like rain falling straight down would be no problem… but what about those real howler sideways storms that crop up. Just wondering.

icantsleep

#5

I picked the hammock up in Harper’s Ferry. It did not rain for the first several weeks. It has only rained a few times while I was in the hammock, and I did not get wet. So far there have been no howling rain storms. May and June were quite wet, and I have heard others say that they were soaked during windy rain storms.
One of my major complaints about the hammock is manueverability inside it. Getting into a sleeping bag while getting centering the ridgerest is tough.
Anyways, my back has become considerably sore and tight. I am unsure whether I will be able to get back on the trail. Keep your fingers crossed.
Bankrobber

Bankrobber

#6

If it’s causing you problems then go back to the tent. But plenty of people used them in the Whites and Maine last year, including me.

I don’t think howler storms would be an issue. When the wind blows real hard, the fly tends to flap up and down and from inside the hammock it’s really loud. What I did was pull the sides of the fly down tight so it was kind of an inverted V. This eliminates the flapping and completely shields the sides and bottom of the hammock. I never did experience howling winds together with rain, but I think this approach would work.

Rain does not seep down the support lines. Every time it rained last year, which wasn’t many times, I was glad I had the hammock vs a tent.

Wedding Singer

#7

I have never slept cold in my Clark Hammock. I use a Ridgecrest mat underneath and that has always supplied sufficient insulation. I have used both the Hennessy and the Clark in winter conditions and both have performed well, but I give the Clark Jungle hammock with the oversized rainfly my vote now. I keep the Hennessy in case a friend joins me on a hike. I have been hammocking for over 5 years on long section hikes and I still can’t believe people still use shelters and tents.

weed killer

#8

Hey weed killer, what about Bankrobbers comment about his back being sore? Have you experienced that? Any considerations like pitch angle or setup to solve this?

icantsleep

#9

I doubt his back problem was caused by the hammock. I can actually sleep on my side in the Clark and I am 6’2". Setting up a hammock on any angle other than a level one will cause sliding to the lower end. Hammocks DO take some getting used-to, but I think they are well worth it just to be able to stop and sleep ANYWHERE you want as long as there are several suitable trees.

weed killer