[Former Member]

Just my .02

I originally purchased one of the original Hennesy hammock with Velcro entrance on the bottom.
Unfortunately I took it on one of the longest trips I ever went on for 2 weeks. And quickly discovered many of the down sides of the design. Over all it was that I froze my butt off almost every night. For myself I found that it was more designed for a warmer climate that did not require a lot of extra quilts or pads. And I sold it and now I have a lightweight hammock for summer lounging.

some of the issues:
-required better attachment to trees, upgraded aftermarket buckles or clips
-requires completely independent fly ridge line
-larger fly with protection from wind
-side zippers that eventually happened
-place for gear and boots

For me the fly was a large issue and I discovered from forums and YouTube videos. The issue was rope sag on the main hammock line which the fly attached. Which independent attaching to a separate ridge line kept it tight. And stop flapping and better protection from wind. These days a lot more aftermarket options are available in regards hammock pads, under quilts, over quilts. Multiple companies offer hammock specific tarps that solve a lot of options.

The best I can suggest is to hit YouTube shugemery is channel name. He has done a lot of newbie hammock videos and FAQ. As well multiple different designs hang types etc. Highly recommended.
With that info in hand you can determine the extra gear required on top of the hammock purchase. And make your decision if the cost is worth you giving it a go.
If you have any further questions drop me a email

 

[Mick Allen]

I don’t particularly like or use them, but many times I have seen beginner to medium experienced kayakers drop their paddles upon exiting.

If at sea and alone, in those typical situations, a leash would be a backup and keep other options open. And there’s nothing like backups and options.

There are other situations like being in a narrow kayak while drinking/eating/photographing/dayhatching/bailing that a leash might be a temporary solution for paddle control. And of course, paddlers with ability/handicap issues might be well served by various types of leash solutions for the particular issue. On this particular instance, I could well see the utility of a pfd belt leash for an on water arm injury.

And in re-reading the above, I guess these situation would have to include a greenland paddle as well – although it does seem to be a stretch in some circumstances . . . but if the option was paddle loss? For a beginner, alone and in conditions?

[Mick Allen]

I would concur with the previous comments [use both], but found with practice that an inside thermorest was viable over time altho not perfectly stable – I do have to adjust. I have also used excess clothing/coats and traded thermorest with wetsuit to reasonably good effect. Extra tarps for ground/privacy/wind/and extra driven rain protection are very useful,  gear ‘storage’ is under the hammock – but not great.

I have an old hennessy camo safari [it’s quite large] . . .. and there is just nothing like waking up in the morning to an expansive view out the hammock while hanging over terrain that a tent would never be able to be used over.  It’s an adventure walking thru the forest and having all sorts of different and undeveloped locations that can now be used rather than requiring flattish smoothish ground.  I was sold on this aspect the first time I used it on a slope near the top of a small cliff – I can still remember the scene out the expansive netting, waking up in the morning after setting up in the dark. Glorious.

 

[Mike Gilbert]

Hi everyone,

During this time of Covid and the difficulties it poses with us getting together I thought it might be fun to throw some questions out that might just need some research to find the correct answer(s), be thought provoking (ie. no real answers – just personal preference), or requires some calculations to come up with the correct answer(s).  Looking to throw a quiz out once a week until the end of April.  If this is not appropriate to do on the Forum let me know.  Participate if you like.  Share answers as you like.  Have fun with it.  Maybe gain a bit more knowledge?

Quiz 1 – Topic of Navigation (seeing as we are all trying to find our right direction during this time!)

1. What is the difference between True North, Grid North and Magnetic North?

2. How do you differentiate between Declination, Variation and Deviation?

3. List the differences between a marine compass and an orienteering compass.

4. Explain how each of the following is different:  Bearing;  Heading;  Course

5. For the west coast of BC what is currently the typical number of degrees of declination (and to which direction) from True North?

[Nick Heath]

I have a good bought hammock – Hennessy Expedition – has a fly and bug net plus super-easy entry –  and I use it occasionally. It is easy to use and comfortable.  Advantages: 1) greatly increases possible camp locations on BC coast with our abundant trees 2) slightly  smaller package than a 1-2 person tent after adding in the tree straps and rigging.

Disadvantages: 1) needs an insulation pad underneath or you will be cold – a thermarest inside won’t work because it just rides up on top of you unless you can somehow tie it down 2) no place to put much gear – mine has small pockets along the ridge for a watch, phone, headlamp/flashlight etc but most of your stuff has to sit outside or in a separate pack, even your water bottle – anything else inside will migrate to beneath your butt. 3) in pouring rain it is harder than my tent to enter without getting anything wet inside – but this is comparing the hammock with a tent that has a large vestibule – sort of unfair. 4) limited to one occupant.

I know 2 women who paddled a couple of years ago from Salt Spring I to Glacier Bay AK. They used hammocks almost exclusively and this made their expedition much more practical – very little brushing, site levelling or clearing etc is needed each night, just a couple of well-spaced trees.

I’m surprised that they are not more popular, but they do take some getting used to.

[Mike Gilbert]

Hi Mark.

I use a hammock more as a back up / bivvy alternative to my regular 2 person Hubba Hubba.  The hammock I use is the Hennesy Hammock.  It is very good for quality, durability, simplicity and compactness.  Main considerations I have found with using them are: is there somewhere to hang them (normally, yes, but when in the trees there are a few more bugs and less sunlight); dry storage & privacy (good idea to bring along another tarp or 2); and you can still use a blow up mattress to lie you sleeping bag on for insulation and some positional rigidity.

[Mike Gilbert]

Personally I disagree with the use of a paddle leash – greenland or Euro.

Possibly folks who like them might explain to me why they like them.  Curious.

[Susan Jensen]

Hi, yes our family uses them. Made from thin nylon. Important to have an underblanket (attached on the outside of the hammock) even in summer. The sleeping bag gets so compressed that it doesn’t keep you warm. A bug net is good too. I personally would rather be in a tent but my husband and sons like using hammocks — gives you more options for where to set up camp.

[Mark Stoakes]

Wondering if anyone has had experience using camping hammocks and if they have what type and any comments. Thanks

[Mick Allen]

I think a leash would have a possibility to interfere a bit with sliding strokes or extended paddle roll, sculling support, recovery techniques, or leanbacks . . . but might not be a deal breaker though.  Maybe worth trying out variations [coaming, waist, wrist connections] to see what works best while really thrashing around, heh heh.

Paddle finish seems to typically be oil, but I see no real reason to eliminate a slight textured varnish finish.  Personally, I would just  use a hard ‘finish’ if I was concerned about paddle strength or abrasion resistance and wished to add a little appropriate [to a specific paddle issue] glass reinforcement.

And not too many 2 pc greenland paddles out there, although I do have [given to me] one with a fairly un-aesthetic stainless ferrule that I wish wasn’t there.   I haven’t used it but it just seems counter to whatever looks and feels that a greenland paddle should be. If you are really interested in this, we could meet halfway somewhere and you could borrow it until things get more normal.

anyway, some ideas

[Former Member]

Has anyone used a leash on their Greenland Paddle? If so what are your comments? Does it interfere with the stroke? Should the paddle be varnished bright or oil finished? One piece or two?

And Happy Holidays to all.

Cheers, Thom

[Nick Heath]

I think members of out club should be concerned about this. The precedent is significant if it were to spread to other park managers, such as BC Parks. We accept some off-season closures to prevent vandalism  etc. in easy-to- access sites, but I don’t think leaving these paddle-in sites open for use has caused any  appreciable maintenance needs or damage.

I could accept seasonal closures for sufficient reason e.g. to allow hunting at Sidney I, allow nesting birds some peace and quiet in the Spring etc. Perhaps there is a valid rationale? I guess Parks Canada will be trying to come up with one by 15 Jan.

In the meantime, Trans Canada Trail is trying hard to get sections of the ‘Great Trail’ prepared for winter use, by offering incentive grants – this is recognition of much higher usage this pandemic year.

I’d like to see our club represented at this session with Parks Canada.

BTW BC Parks permanently closed the paddle-in/walk-in campsite at Smuggler Cove in a somewhat sneaky fashion.

[Yekaterina Yushmanova]

There is an interesting discussion happening on West Coast Paddler for those who are interested https://www.westcoastpaddler.com/community/threads/broken-group-permanently-closed-during-fall-winter-spring.8916/

[Yekaterina Yushmanova]

Glad to hear that a meeting is happening, hopefully we will be able to hear some insights into what is going on.

[Former Member]

If I am understanding this correctly, the Parks Canada plan for the 2021 season is to not allow overnight visits to the park, and to close the area entirely in the off-season?

I don’t understand the math on those decisions at all.

[Author]

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