hammock for early season

[jgeary338]

thinking about getting a hammock for early season scouting/hunting in central utah. looking at hennessy company. Any input welcome!

 

[GA Hunter]

I have never tried the Hennessy but I know a lot of people like them. I got a War Bonnett Black bird and absolutely love it! Best hammock I have tried. Hammocks are great as long as it not to cold and you don't need much storage room.

 

[jgeary338]

i was looking at the blackbird last night and really like the looks of it

 

[GotDraw?]

Samuel Clemens once apologized for writing a long letter, because it takes too long to write a short one. I feel that way whenever I post...

Warbonnet are well rated.

Hennessy are well built and readily available. Pretty much bomb proof, it was a great first hammock system for me. I have the Expedition (not the u/l version), it weighs 61.8 oz with hex tarp, bug net. To lighten it up, I upgraded to aftermarket Amsteel whoopee slings, thin straps and u/l titanium tarp stakes and Dutchware titanium hardware. It still packs big and weighs more than my two man single wall Lunar Duo Outfitter tent (tent weighs 56.4 oz w/guy lines and titanium rod stakes). If you use the stock Hennessy suspension if weighs a couple oz more still.

I believe Hennessy generally integrates their bug netting. You won't need this or its weight depending on elevation and time of year. You can buy separate bug net systems if you think you'll need them. I have never needed bug net at 9000+ ft in early season.

Hennessy does make lighter hammock versions. I would not get a diamond shaped tarp. Smaller, lighter- yes. It may generally keep you dry, but who wants to find out when hung on the windward side of ridge in 30+ mile an hour winds and sideways rain?

**PRO-TIPS--
1) My advice is no matter what hammock you roll with, get a big ass hex or rectangular tarp and make sure it is not integrated into the hammock suspension, this will allow you to quickly set just the tarp if you get caught out in a storm. A very, very handy thing. Also allows you to set the tarp as a separate place to hang out in base camp... nice. Consider door-flaps if you may use the tarp in the winter (snow), or as a tarp-tent (this would be a custom option).

2) I really like Dutch Ware Gear's system for tensioning your tarp ridge line (Tato Tarp connector) and I like their Zing it/ Lash it and Amsteel u/l lines. AWESOME! Be certain to buy a very, very long ridge line so you can suspend it anywhere, even if trees are far apart. I think my ridge is at least 30 ft long, if not 40'. The 1.75mm Zing-it/Lash-it line take up zero space and weighs nothing. I use a Dutch Hook and Dutch Wasp to hang it/tension it. Takes 30 seconds... maybe.

3) I highly recommend "Tato Tarp Connectors" (available on Dutch's site) these allow you to quickly re-center and tension your tarp anywhere on your ridge line and the have built in shock cord tensioning system to keep your tarp taut on the ridge line.

My ultra-light hammock system is a Hummingbird Hammocks brand Single-Plus model (7.6 oz) w/no bug net (packs down to the size of your fist). I run a separate 11'L x 10' W rectangular cuben fiber tarp (10 oz including 30 ft ridge line, and all 2mm reflective shrouded dyneema guy lines and tensioners). I run Amsteel whoopee slings, ultra light straps and 10 titanium shepherd's hook style rod stakes, Dutchware titanium hooks & Wasp tensioner, u/l titanium Dutch straps hooks (7.0 oz for all combined). Total weight for this total hammock system is: 24.6 oz. and it pack TINY, TINY, TINY. Love this thing.

**Cuben is not necessary. It's expensive and a bit loud when is windy/rainy, it is also a bit reflective and shiny. You can run with a syl nylon tarp, save money and still save a lot of space/weight.

PRO TIP-- 1) USE reflective guy lines for your tarp. Or, you will curse yourself the first, second or third time you trip over a line in the dark and almost rip your tarp. 2) IF you do decide to run an ultra light hammock system (my bro's and mine have 300lb stated capacity, but have been tested much higher) , NEVER, ever get in the hammock with ANYTHING in your pockets or your body that can cause a pressure point in the fabric. IF you do, you run great risk if the hammock bursting like a balloon and dumping you instantly on the ground. This is from personal experience. My brother's 357 was holstered on his hip in 2015 and at the end of a long day we hung our hammock in trees on a very steep and rocky slope. He sat in his, swung his hips to pull his legs in and BANG, the hammock bust when the butt of the gun pushed on the fabric. He hit the ground hard and it was not funny. He is all gristle and muscle, tough as nails and his back was a mess for the rest of the hunt. BTW- my brother weighs less than 160 lbs. Hummingbird was fantastic and replaced the hammock at no charge. However, for the rest of the hunt he was often stuck digging out steep hillsides with his poop trowel to set his bivvy bag. A positive was that his separate tarp system could still be deployed over his bivvy.

Hope this helps. Check out Dutch Ware Gear's site for awesome u/l, ultra fast hammock hardware

PM me with any questions. I can share much RE hammock/tarp systems.

JL

 

[Seth1913]

I have the humming bird single at 5.2 oz and is very comfortable for my height of 5-10 and I can achieve a diagnol lay with ease but more length equals more comfort. If you're taller take a look at BIAS (butt in a sling) hammocks they are lightweight and come in 11' lengths. If you don't want to spend money on a Cuben tarp check out simply light designs tarp made of the membrane silpoly(10oz). Hammock gear makes great quilts that weigh nothing and are warmer than advertised. Also enlightened equipment quilts get lots of praise here! Hummingbird also makes a great ultralight suspension!

 

[jgeary338]

I'm 5-10 i was looking at the hummingbird single+ and liked it, just wasnt sure if it came with a suspension. Guess I'll go with the u/l suspension.

 

[Seth1913]

Yeah the suspension isn't included but the u/l suspension offered is really light and not expensive. Plus it is very easy to set up, there's a video I watched that taught me how to connect with the soft carabiner.

 

[jgeary338]

decided to go with the blackbird double 1.1 with the whoopie lines, seemed a little more secure to me...idk peace of mind I guess. Went with a super fly tarp. Went on dutch ware and got the other odds and ends for the tarp. Really appreciate the help guy!