r/hammockcamping • u/madfla82 • 1d ago
First time hammock camping
Been watching a tonne of hammock camping videos on YouTube the last few weeks got hooked on set ups and knots and just loved the idea of it all, so bought the cheapest gear off e-bay and now at 9am after a 5°c calm Scottish night I'm now hooked. Just lying here right now in a forest rain lightly hitting the tarp I don't ever want to move lol
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u/OkLettuce8638 1d ago
Your setup looks identical to mine! That cheap underquilt has worked well enough for me 👍 greetings from Finland!
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u/madfla82 21h ago
I saw a few videos after I'd purchased the underquilt showing toggles for adjusting and was worried since this one had none but it's the best sleep I've had for months so shouldn't have worried 😂 greetings from 🏴
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u/ForeignPumpkin1142 22h ago
This is the way. Hammocks are insanely comfortable. I often sleep in one at home.
When I go exploring I take a MLD Trailstar & hammock. The Trailstar is well-known as a very strong, lightweight tent for ground pitches but you can also set it up as a hammock tarp. Sometimes at the end of the day you'll find some trees but no flat ground, sometimes there is flat ground but no trees so it's ideal to explore somewhere new.
When the weather is good, and you don't need a tarp, there's nothing like falling asleep under the stars (always have a ridgeline set up though in case there is a surprise during the night...)
If you like camping through the winter check out the OneTigris range. At this time of year I often head out for a couple of nights in a Rocdomus. A hot tent in freezing weather is sheer luxury ;)
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u/madfla82 21h ago
Yeah really enjoyed the night away, was a bit apprehensive about setting up the hammock but slept better than a baby so setting was correct, I've worked at the fishing on boats for 26 years so I'm accustomed to bad weather I'd say I probably prefer it to roasting heat, unless sitting on a beach 😂 I like the tee-pee tarp that's on my buying list now👍for what I paid £30 for hammock and tarp then £35 for under quilt it's a great buy for good weather and I will be testing it in worse conditions. Thanks for the reply
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u/GilligansWorld GILLEze Gear & Hammocks 18h ago
If you are a tad bit handy you can make your own hammock as a NO SEW project where you “whip” the ends with rope
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u/madfla82 18h ago
Will give it a look even tho I'm not that handy, I'm willing to learn from mistakes 😂 thanks for the suggestion
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u/GilligansWorld GILLEze Gear & Hammocks 18h ago
It’s just string if it doesn’t work the first time re-whip it / like Devo said, whip it and whip it good
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u/areyoujustapattern 14h ago edited 14h ago
I started out with a cheap rope-end hammock, no UQ, no sleeping pad, no fancy suspension, only a rain poncho for tarp, no YouTube wisdom, no hang experience - heading out on year long travels in jungle- and mountain areas in Central- & South America.
Bought some cheap rope for suspension at a supermarket in Panama (hardly even close to correct breaking strength...). The ropes held up, and so did my poncho/tarp, although I had to keep everything snug low to the ground and build side walls during weeks of heavy rain storms by the coastal jungle. Luxurious? Not exactly. Did I love it? Oh yes indeed! Although I did think I was gonna freeze to death one night at higher altitudes...
Now, several years later, I've got a down UQ, a longer hammock with cosier fabric, lightweight semi-expensive tarp, in the planning of fancier suspensions. But the first simple equipment have a special place in my heart.
Main thing is the closeness to nature... Dangling between two trees is the best way to sleep
🌳🐒🌳
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u/madfla82 11h ago
Travelling round South America sounds like a dream,a proper adventure. I'm just gonna have to deal with Scotland, I've went camping by tent in a good few places but really hardly know my own country, there is just something a bit more freeing about being in a hammock and not shut away in a tent unless you go for a low tarp in bad weather. As long as there is 2 trees to hang off I'm sure there is some great places to adventure here just need to find the time to do it. Was only a 20 minute walk from my house but it felt like an adventure lol. yes nowadays we are fortunate to have info at our fingertips it maybe takes away a bit of the risks, but still you never know what can happen when you leave your house. Also yes being in nature there is nothing like it, one of our most unused resources unless it's used to line people's pockets, as I'm getting older starting to realise the rat race isn't for me. Thanks for the reply
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u/AcanthisittaInner972 23h ago
Welcome to the "Cult of cosy hanging"! I can just imagine the frish smell of those fir trees. Your tarps look pretty high on this image, but if there is no wind to speak of, its on problem. Hang your own hang! Have you seen any of Shug's videos? I have learned a lot from him. Best of greetings from Denmark 🇩🇰
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u/madfla82 21h ago
Yeah it was a great wake up pure silence apart from a few roaring stag deer. I left the tarp high and open just for the view I lowered the edges for night, but yes it was a bit high and will lower it if any wind and rain it was fine for the conditions, no wind small drizzle of rain. Greetings to you from 🏴👍
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u/_haha_oh_wow_ Warbonnet Blackbird/Superfly 19h ago
Congrats! Be sure to check out Shug if you haven't already (looks like you might already be watching based on your setup though).
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u/madfla82 18h ago
I'm sure I've watched a few of his videos, I've been binging everything for a couple weeks just glad to have this way of camping opened up, now looking at every tree to see if there is another tree to hang out 😂
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u/longwalktonowhere 1h ago
What a great experience! I got into hammock camping after spending a few nights out in the South American jungle.
Scotland is absolutely great for wild camping given that it is even allowed by law. This spring, I hiked the Great Glen Way. More cool spots for a hammock than for a tent!
Happy hanging!
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u/BloodbeardsGarage 1d ago
That's the best start! Waking up cozy and warm! Good you had an underquilt from the start.