When a friend of mine, a frequent tramper and hunter, raved on about his new hammock, I didn’t know what to think. My idea of a hammock—a cloth stretched on a rope between a couple of trees—didn’t suggest a comfortable night’s sleep at all. Little did I know…
What was I missing? To find out I did some research on the web and discovered a whole new world: hammock camping. After reading countless reviews and forums I took the plunge and ordered a “Hyperlight Backpacker A-Sym” from Hennessy Hammocks.
The hammock was promptly delivered. The written set up instructions could have done with more illustrations but the online set up videos on Hennessy Hammocks made up for it and were worthwhile watching.
Before heading out into the wilderness I decided on a practice run. It went very well. The hammock was set up in no time and ready for my first lie down. Getting into the hammock is very easy: Stick your head and shoulders through the Velcro® opening, sit down in the hammock, pull your legs up, lie back and the entrance shuts automatically; lie down at an angle slightly diagonal to the support rope and relax. My very first impression was: “Wow, this is so comfortable!” I could have easily dosed off there and then!
Hammock camping at Koura Beach on Heaphy Track
The time had come for a field trial. Just in case things wouldn’t work out, I chose the Heaphy Track, an easy tramping track with backcountry huts as a backup. As luck would have it, it started to rain as I was looking for a suitable hammock site on my first night out. One of the advantages of hammock camping is that level ground is not necessary. It so happened that my first “real” hammock site was on a slope. The set up was quick—it pays to be familiar with the lashing of the main support rope to the webbing straps—and after a few minor height adjustments I was set for the night. I wrapped my backpack in my poncho and stowed it underneath the hammock.
Tip
Before you buy a hammock, I recommend you search the web for reviews and tips from other hammock users. The following sites may be useful:
Disclaimer
I am not affiliated in any way with Hennessy Hammocks. The opinion expressed in this article is purely my own and therefore personal.
During the night the rain was pelting down and I remained very comfortable, snugly and warm. Towards the morning the rain eased. As I woke to the popping sound of residual rain drops falling onto the fly, I was still dry and so comfortable that I went back to sleep and even slept in! What some hammock users said on forums, that the hammock is so comfortable you don’t want to get out of it, did (and still does) definitely apply in my case.
And here’s the funny bit: After three comfy nights in my hammock I decided to spend a night at Saxon Hut, a nice and tidy backcountry hut with the standard, plastic-covered foam mattresses. Strangely enough I couldn’t get comfortable and ended up having quite a broken sleep. I so wished I was back in my hammock! Needless to say where I slept the following night…
