Thread: Hennessy Hammock

Originally Posted by Ranga

I'm looking for a lightweight hiking accommodation option, and think these look good (albeit expensive, even perhaps overpriced)

Thanks,
Ranga

Originally Posted by Ranga

FWIW, I've just finished a Simpson Desert trip using a Hennessy Hammock. I must say they are very comfortable, and nice being up off the ground to avoid rocks, mud etc, not to mention snakes, spiders and scorpions! Had some rain in Cairns, and didn't get wet at all.

A very good option for those sleeping solo, provided you have somewhere to hang them off. IMHO, much better option than a swag...

so all well and good...

BUT at the end of the day, is the

expensive, even perhaps overpriced

price and acceptable compromise?

Dave, personally I think maybe not at Oz prices. On sale, shipped from the US - almost certainly if you want a Hennessy.
Personally I didn't have the funds for a Hennessy or a DD. I got a Magikelly group buy hammock, mozzie net & tarp which iirc set me back about £50.

Ranga, as I understand it South American hammocks are meant to be slept across, not along. Quite easy to get one built for 2. There's at least one co. in the UK that sells them. They call them Mexican hammocks.
I have wonders if the 'along' hammock design came about as it takes up less space per person on broad ship than the 'across' type.

I used mine for the first time this weekend - after an 18km trek through dense bush with a full pack in torrential rain. I was exhausted so even the noise of the waterfall I was behind didn't keep me from snoring away.

I think I need a bit more practice at positioning myself inside the hammock, especially on top of a thermarest which I used, but after a while I was off with the fairies and in the morning I didn't have numb feet or legs - I just felt refreshed.

I was very warm initially but as the temp dropped I used the sleeping bag. Despite being in a cave, I used the fly to help protect a bit from noise, light and any bits of dirt or guano raining down on me.

All in all I'm happy. Will give it a try off the roofrack next time if I can find a suitable tree to park near.

Bobby

apologies for poor picture quality!

I learned of Hennessy Hammocks a good while ago, but couldn't bring myself around to investing so much $$$ into one without some reassurance.

Thanks to the above posts, I searched some more and ended up placing an order for a Tom Claytor Jungle Hammock. Had I searched a lot more I may have made a different decision, but that is how it panned out. The factors that swayed my decision (pun not intended) were the posts I read about comfort and air flow in warm muggy conditions, compare to some others.

I wanted something to use soon when it is still warm and muggy up here and mozzies are plentiful. I will mostly be 4x4 based and in time will make some extension poles for places where I cant access a 2nd support (will use my truck for the other end and also put a tarp over the pole for rain protection.

Hey Bobby - what did you tether to in the cave?

Ranga,

I was fortunate enough to find a couple of good, strong-looking overhangs of rock that were just the right dimensions to take the standard straps. As luck would have it they were the perfect distance apart too.

If the wall had been smooth, I'd have simply slept on the floor but with the ridge lines propped up with sticks and pegged out. Another good reason to take a thermarest.

Something to play with when you need a distraction

Hammock Hang Calculator by Derek Hansen

If you want to see the effect on shear tension, play with the angle. 30 deg seems to be the least weight loading.

cheers MLD

BTW, managed to pickup a 2nd hand Explorer Ultralight Asym Classic with snake skins for $150. Yet to try it, but I'm sure it will be as good as the one I borrowed for the Simpson trip.