Hennessy hammock

imported
#1

Anybody got any opinions on this type of shelter? I recently ordered the ultralite backpacker model and plan to take it on the hike (still debating if it will be best at the start of the hike). the address is http://www.hennessyhammock.com.

Sweeper

#2

I looked at the site a while back. It loks very interesting. I have had 3 different hammock tents/shelter systems. Hated them all. So, for this hike I will bring my tent and only use my little cheap hammock for naps and summer sleeping. I will be watching your post on how this particular hammock system works out. Please make notes for me. Sue
–hamockhngr 2001 (162d) (ps snowing like crazy in Smass)

hamockhngr

#3

I’ll be sure to let you know how it works. Apprently, G-force (greg scholtz w/ journal at trailplace) made the switch to the hennessy in CT->Katahdin. I’ve been talking with him about it. Hopefully he’ll stop in to the forum. He said that they’re COLD which has got me worried, but it was great when there was not a level camping spot and the shelter is VERY light. And BTW, he’s willing to part with his good-condition hammock now for a discounted price. So if you ever get interested, you might wanna try getting in contact with him. Maybe not as it seems you already got your system worked out.

PS- snowing in Snowmass eh? Is that where you are right now? I love that area of CO. Ever get a chance to make it up to Snowmass Lake? (See my 14er journal)Awesome. Do you have a view of Capitol Peak? -Sweeper

Sweeper

#4

Well you know how much I love the things If you have visited my site.

http://members.nbci.com/sgtr0ck/

I have slept in one down to the 50s with high winds and was comfortable in just my down bag. I recently tried my windshield sunscreen heat reflector in similar weather and was so warm I had to unzip my bag 3/4 of the way.

I have thought about getting one of those reflective vapor barriers like Western Mountaineering makes. It should be just as good as a reflective blanket, but with the benifit of 360 degree heat reflection, and the VB properties. I assume with this set up a good light 30 degree bag and a 7oz VB would be great for just about any AT weather.

SGT Rock

#5

SGT. Rock,

I don’t know about the VB western mountaineering bag. it will sure keep you warm, but it would also be uncomfortable as you would get soaked inside it! But in emergencies, comfort is secondary… -Sweeper

Sweeper

#6

Your probably right about the VB in most weather, but I really don’t think the VB would be needed below 50 degrees anyway. Maybe a VB with a silk liner.

Anyway. I’ve been pretty happy with the windshield sunscreen heat reflector, and I can also use it to sit on when not using in my hammock. And at about 5oz it is lighter.

SGT Rock

#7

You April starters have got it made with the hammock deal. February will probably see me wishing I had that VB bag anyway. I’ve bivuaced using my nylon pack cover as a bivy bag on a cold december night. Those were in my stupider days. I packed out a wet sleeping bag the next morning. I’m getting anxious about the new hammock. Tom said that they were making a trip to a town where they shipped from sometime earlier this week, so both of our hammocks should be on their way. I’ll then have a chance to experiment and see what works for me. I will definately pick up one of those windshield heat reflectors. Got a cost estimate? -Sweeper

Sweeper

#8

I paid $5.95 at the post autoshop. Walmart Has a slightly thicker and heavier version for about $6 in the auto department. The thicker one was almost as thisck as a z-rest pad, so you may be able to get duel duty out of one of those.

BTW, I have thought about replacing the diamond shaped tarp with a 8’x10’ sil tarp from Campmore for better camping area coverage. Instead of setting up in a diamond shape, run the 10’ length along the length of the hammock, then you have 4’ of overhang to play with on either side. This would add about 8oz to the weight if you left the original tarp at home. It’s just a thought.

SGT Rock

#9

I got the hammock about a week ago but have not had a chance to try it out. Last night however I did. The temp got down to 20* and I was comfy at first in my 20* bag with ridgerest under the bag and heat reflector inside the bag on the bottom. I was wearing my polartec 200 long underwear. At first it was like an oven, then I noticed that the windshield heat reflector was getting wet and was a little uncomfortable. I chucked it and slept the rest of the night on my ridgerest and was OK but knew this morning that the ridgerest by itself will not do the trick. I switched for an hour or two the ridgerest with just the heat reflector and was actually warmer! But, I could tell after that short period of time that the bottom of the bag was going to get a little wet. Not cool. So I’m thinking of a couple things to try. One is to make Tom Hennessy’s design only with a stronger mylar blanket and see how that goes. I’ll try that tonight perhaps. Happy Thanksgiving.

Sweeper

#10

Did you try just the heat reflector outside the bag (no condensation problems) but inside the hammock?

SGT Rock

#11

The funny thing is that I do get a little moisture when I try that. I recently went to the fabric store and found this cool reflective fabric that is 35% metal and 65% nylon. It is about as light as nonwoven uncoated ripstop nylon. It is also breathable… very much so… So, it may not be a neccessary vapor barrior, but it is at least 75% stronger than the mylar blackets AND the 5.5 oz. windsield heat reflector I have. The stuff costs $6/yd, so it’s not the cheapest fabric out there. I’m gonna fork over $12-18 and put together a liner for my bag. Judging from specs from nonwoven nylon liners in campmor catalogs, I expect that the function of the nylon itself should add 6* of warmth. But the reflective qualitys of this fabric is honestly just about as good as mylar so that should add much more warmth. This fabric could also be used in conjunction with tyvek or a coated nylon tarp to produce Mr. Hennessy’s original design only much stronger. I am leaning away from my windshield as it is rather narrow and when in the hammock some of the accordian like joints can get sharp at the edges and I attribute that to actually ripping some threads in my bag.

The systems I have tried so far:

windshield on inside, ridgerest below bag—WARMEST, condensation problems!

ridgerest below bag only—NASTY COLD SPOTS! a litle clammy, potential problem with wet insulation.

windshield below bag only.—DECENT IN PROVIDING WARMTH @ 25-30* however, it slips and slides and is rather narrow. I roll in my sleep.

reinforced mylar blanket below hammock.—BIG HASSLE, not very warm as it came undone at night a couple times. Got out to take a leak and the blanket system never got back in the right position.

windshield below hammock.—ANOTHER BIG HASSLE, and a little too narrow when I roll around.

Bottomline: of the systems tried so far, the windshield reflector and ridgrest combo are best but do have their drawbacks. I’m working on the liner approach and will test that out next time… -Sweeper

Sweeper

#12

My Sunscreen has absolutely no sharp corners, it’s soft like very thin foam pad. If you have one with edges sharp enough to poke holes you must have gotten the more ridge version. I saw that one but passed it up because I was afraid it would do just what your talking about.

I’ve also decided to try using the binder clips I carry as method of securing the reflector inside or outside the hammock, should be easier than all that string rigging. I’ll have to wait until my ultralight gets here to try it since I sent my original in for exchange.

SGT Rock

#13

try an rei 24" pad with then bag draped over the boby like a quilt and tucked into the folds of the pad. I was golden like this down two thirty five F

Yo-YO