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>>Tents and Hammock

My thoughts on hammocks. I have a Hennessey Jungle Expedition. It is sturdy and well made. It has an attached bug net and a double bottom that allows insertion of their foil/foam contoured insulating pad. Insulation is necessary on the bottom in cooler temperatures in order to stay warm. Even in 50F temperatures. I use an under quilt and the insulating pad if its cold. The rain fly was too small I felt so I purchase a new larger one. It does come with long ropes attached for hanging from trees and includes knot tying instructions. I prefer tree straps. I have One Wind Tree Straps and Eno tree straps. My first mistake when hanging the hammock was to make it too tight. It needs a sag of about a 30 degree angle from the ridge line. The idea is to sleep on a diagonal allows a flatter lay. I have trouble side sleeping in my hammock and I have trouble being comfortable on my back all night. It is sometimes difficult to enter a sleeping bag inside a hammock. Most use it as blanket or use special quilts. Another disadvantage is there is not much room to store necessary gear in the hammock other than hanging a small light from the ridge line and putting small items in the ridge line pouch if it has one. Drip lines are needed on each end to keep water from seeping in from the ropes or straps. 

My thoughts on tents. I have a few tents and have gone through a few others. I have a Gander Mountain GSX brand 2 man 3 season tent and an Alps Mountaineering 4 man 3 season tent. They are of average quality. Spend as much as you can afford and maybe a little more on your tent. I feel a 2 man tent is good for one person and a 4 man tent is good for 2 people. This leaves room for some gear. A sleeping pad or air mattress is necessary for comport and insulation. I like a full rain fly that covers the whole tent generously. Also aluminum alloy tent poles are much preferred, fiberglass should be avoided. Its easier to move around in a tent, even stand in some. Set up can be tricky if it is necessary to use tent stakes where the terrain is rocky. A dome style tent works best, The corners can be held down with rocks or logs. Some people like a tarp under their tent to avoid moisture and dirt. 

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