updated hennessy hammock info
so i finally got to put the hammock to good use. i picked one up because i wanted something light and multi useable. also, ill be honest, i don't sleep the best in a tent on the ground, not sure why. i deal with it but it gets old after 4-5 days.
i went on a backpacking trip for three days and just got back. before i left i wanted to set the hammock up as a bivy to see about space, plausibility, versatility, etc. so i went into my yard, put my hiking poles into the ground as far as theyd go and set it up. although the set up isn't as fast as when using it as a hammock (for reasons ill describe later) it was still easy. it actually creates a shelter with a surprising amount of room. id call it a 1.5 person tent. my 50 lb dog could easily fit in it. the only issue is the height. the big net is probably only a foot off the ground or so, so you won't be sitting up comfortably. you also need a foot print of some sort. i used a rectangular one for my two person rei backpacking tent. any will suffice as long as it fits. i also was able to use the snakeskins to pack the hammock away when i was done. you don't need hiking poles by the way. you could also use two trees, but hiking poles give you some flexibility if you are in an area with no trees.
so on the trip i took my dog and wanted to try out the set up as a hammock. it came with tree huggers though they are fiarly short so i ordered some 7 foot ones for like 10 bucks from another site. i also grabbed a carabiner for each side and two repel rings for each side. these are not necessary but make set up much easier and add very little weight or space. basically you can put the two rings on the carabiner and attach the carabiner to the tree hugger straps. loop the rope from the hammock through both rings, around and start to go back through the same direction but then go through the two rings instead. it makes what many will recognize as a sort of self tightening loop. if you pull the rope it will create tension but when you let go it won't lose the tension. this allows you to pull each side independently to get the hammock balanced and tightened very easily. then just slide the snakeskins off, stake the sides and youre done.
it is very comfortable with one person in it. only issue is the cold from the bottom. it got down to 40 and i didn't notice it being a HUGE issue if you have a warm sleeping bag, but still a potential problem. so i bought a 10 dollar refelctive insulation pad from china on ebay. thing is kind of bulky rolled up, about the size of a two person tent, but insanely light, you almost expect it to float in the air. and, it works lie a charm. i didn't feel any heat loss through the bottom. i had that, my 20 degree marmot sleeping bag and slept in boxers and a tee shirt and was toasty. now the dog was a bit of a problem. first, you have to get them over the fear of the odd movement. then you have to get them to sit still. i slept three nights with my dog in it and it is possible, but uncomfortable. i toss and turn at night and so does she. individually this is not an issue in a hennessy as you can lay 95% flat in any position, but with two beings it is very complicated. she also got cold and so she slept right against me and made it impossible for me to move. if i take her again im using it as a bivy where there is much more room.
take down was quick and easy. the whole set up weighs about 2 pounds, just a tad over. thats for the hammock, fly, carabiners, tree huggers and stakes. if youve never slept in a hennessy you need to try it. almost flat, no need for a pillow, lots of room. its great. as a survival tool i think its amazing. more flexible than a tent and compared to my rei backpacking tent its less than half the weight. the rain fly is extremely versatile and can be set up numerous ways. the hammock also works as a chair. if you get the money or simply take advantage of the holiday deal as i did, it would be a great addition to a bug out bag. packs small, very light weight, easy to set up in all sorts of terrain and has multiple uses.
