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View Full Version : Hennessy Hammock, This thing is the $#!%


Phalanx
10-08-2008, 10:34 PM
After spending some time outdoors here in New York and mingling with fellow campers, I have been turned on to hammock camping. There is a certain hammock in particular that everyone uses. The Hennessy hammock isn't like a regular hammock you would find in a Corona commercial, its more like a tent-cocoon thing... Its totally enclosed with an integrated mesh top/mosquito net a self closing drunk-proof velcro entrance and an asymmetrical shape to allow somebody to sleep totally flat (on their back side and stomach). It also has a pretty nice rain fly and anti-sway supports.

I ordered one from REI after a few camping trips where I wasn't able to find a decent spot for a tent. (For those of you who know how I usually camp, I didn't bring my roof-rack out here) Anyway, after the first night in this thing I fell in love! They aren't really popular on the west coast, or at least in Southern California due to the lack of trees. But they can be set up between two big rocks using tow straps, strung up between two trucks, or set up with bivy poles. Out here it works great, since wherever I go its like a trip to Big Bear.

Alot of people out here have tricked out their hammocks with extra space for storage, water collection do-hickies, larger rain flys, and most importantly, insulation. Since your back is pressed up against the fabric of the hammock and against the elements, most of the insulation is lost since sleeping bags, jackets etc are compressed. Some solutions are a wide closed-cell foam pad on the inside or a double outer layer with a quilt in between or some other type of lofted insulation. It is seriously the best night's sleep you can get while camping.

Here are a few shots of my setup.

http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v364/34/52/651018059/n651018059_1521438_6615.jpg

http://photos-h.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v364/34/52/651018059/n651018059_1521439_6986.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v364/34/52/651018059/n651018059_1521425_7385.jpg

http://photos-g.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v322/34/52/651018059/n651018059_1426062_4476.jpg

http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v339/34/52/651018059/n651018059_1425866_8074.jpg

A tricked out setup...
http://megaview.com.tw/~caralin/hiking/Shueshan2008/080903-380TseuiPond-Camp2.JPG

And here's their website.
http://hennessyhammock.com/
Marc P
10-08-2008, 10:40 PM
Thats cool Josh...not sure where to set it up at Superstitions though
CJM
10-08-2008, 10:54 PM
I had one, it sucks if your a sleeper who moves alot and when it gets cold your arse feels it unless you insulate well.

Otherwise I liked it.
Tankota
10-09-2008, 12:01 AM
Thats cool Josh...not sure where to set it up at Superstitions though


Just string it between a couple of tube buggies. :D

I've been thinking about getting some sort of hammock for camping too. I could just strap one end to my cage, and then only have to find something to tie the other end too. Farttruck maybe? :thumbup:
Seanz0rz
10-09-2008, 12:08 AM
thats what im doing out at pismo... hahah.
Good Times
10-09-2008, 01:13 AM
Nice find Josh! How would you compare this to sleeping in a cot?
Phalanx
10-09-2008, 07:43 AM
It doesn't feel as structured or taut as a cot and doesn't have any hardpoints to knock up against.
slosurfer
10-09-2008, 08:00 AM
Those are cool, I've toyed with the idea of getting one. Only problem is I don't get to go solo anymore. :laugh:
Tankota
10-09-2008, 08:08 AM
Maybe you could customize one and make it a double wide hammock. Just dont thrash around too much in there :thumbup:
slosurfer
10-09-2008, 08:14 AM
They have them, but most reviews say that two people sleeping in them sucks. Especially since that 2nd person on most wheeling trips will be my 4yr old son who can't stay still to save his life. :laugh: Maybe string him up in his own. :hillbill:
4x4mike
10-09-2008, 08:40 AM
4yr old son who can't stay still to save his life. :laugh:

Hey some adults (read: me) have this problem too. My wife loves hammocks but it would take me some time to get used to sleeping in them in a sleeping bag.
Erich_870
10-09-2008, 09:51 AM
My little brother had a covered jungle hammock when he was 8 or 9 and it was great until early that next morning when he couldn't figure out how to get the zipper open and he had to pee. :roll:

I was awoken from my tent at 6:30 am to a frantic 8 year old about to pee himself, begging me to help him get out :spit:

He didn't really like the hammock after that :rofl:

Erich :hillbill: