Hi Jerry,

I would like to submit my name as a potential tester of the Hennessy
Hammock.

I agree to the conditions specified viz a viz the reports required and
the timelines.

I am a 53 year old male, weight 170lbs, 5'11" tall.

I have hiked, camped, climbed and canoed for the last 30+ years. For the
last 20+ years I have led two winter camps each year for high school
groups, involving two night camps in the bush of central Ontario. I also
solo trip in the winter in such areas as Algonquin Park and the
Adirondacks. My usual procedure when winter camping in the Ontario bush
is to take a tarp and construct a lean-to or use a baker-style tent,
unless we are building quinzhees. My anticipated use of  the hammock
would be in sheltered woods, in Canadian Shield terrain, i.e.. rocky
hills, lake and swamp.

Taking pictures is not a problem and I have access to a scanner.

Alquin

Talk about an acid test!  They've built windmill farms for generating
electricity near the Guadalupes due to the consistently stout (80-100mph in
winter) winds.  If snow happened to be in the mix (nothing's for sure), it'd
would be quite a test environment for the Hennessey.

TT
>
>  ----- Original Message -----
>  From: David_Troeger@...
>  To: BackpackGearTest@egroups.com
>  Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2000 7:59 AM
>  Subject: [BackpackGearTest] Throw my Hat in the ring (or hammock)
>  My only concern is that we don't get much snow in Texas and I'm
>  frequently wearing short-sleeved shirts on Christmas day.
>
>  For all you potential Texas testers:
>  There ought to be snow in the bowl in the Guadalupes, shouldn't there?.
If you come in > from the Dog Canyon side (I know...A LOT longer from the
Texas side) it is a easy,
>  beautiful hike from a beautiful, little used campground. Or, if you're
feelin' macho you > can come up the Pine Springs Trail or the Bear Something
Trail. I can't remember the
> name of the one by Mckittrick (sp.?) canyon but it really is a BEAR...lol.
Been awhile
> since I was there but I still remember the trips well.....
>  Jerry

Hi, Jerry:

I wasn't going to do this, as I already am a Hennessy owner and fan, but
I've been working on solutions to the few shortcomings of the hammock and
want to try them out on a new Ultralight.

I am a 53 year old male with over 40 years backpacking experience.  The bulk
of that experience in is the mountains of the Southeastern US, where I
usually do three day to one week solo trips in any weather at any time of
year.  Recently I started leading groups and preaching the gospel of
lightening up, and the Hennessy is a big hit with beginners.  Two thirds of
the people who have tried it have liked it so much they've bought one.

I will comply with all the reporting requirements, and will illustrate my
aforementioned "solutions" (if they work), with drawings and/or photographs.
My short-term "winter" test will more likely be a "chilly weather" test, as
winter hasn't come to North Carolina yet, but I have a trip scheduled to
Mount Rogers on the 11th and 12th of November and will take the Ultralight
if it arrives before then.  I do plan to test the hammock thoroughly when
winter comes to the NC and Virginia mountains and I will post follow up
reports as I do so.

George Cole
Chapel Hill, NC


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Hi Jerry

I would like to throw my hat in the fire ring for the Hennessy Hammock
tester.

I am a 30-year-old male, about 5' 11" and currently 170#.  I say currently
because I just completed a thruhike of the Appalachian Trail (April 29th to
September 17th), and I'm still working on getting back the 35 pounds I lost
out there.  Otherwise my experiences backpacking are in Western and Central
PA and I'm planning on hitting the Shawnee Backpack Trail in Southern Ohio
around Thanksgiving.  I keep my pack weight as low as I possibly can.

While on the AT, my biggest problem shelter-wise was water coming in through
the floor (we got pounded with rain), stability in wind, and condensation.
I have recently been toying with the idea of using a lightweight hammock
instead of a tent, as all of my hiking is in areas with lots of trees.

My winter strategy is to get out in typical Midwest weather: snow, sleet and
up and down temperature fluctuations.  Here's what I am looking for:

1.  How does the hammock do condensation-wise, and how much of that is a
function of current weather conditions?

2.  How does it do with snow, especially wet snow?

3.  Does it keep out driving rain?

4.  How stable is it in the wind?

5.  How well does the entry system work?  Does it create unforeseen problems
in winter or rainy conditions?

6.  How spacious is it?  Does stowing extra winter gear in the hammock
create space problems?

7.  Does the lightweight material necessitate special care considerations or
a shortened expected product life?

8.  Does the reflector described on the website work in winter conditions,
or is a lightweight foam pad necessary?

9.  How is the overall workmanship?

10.  How does it compare to a lightweight tent?

Reports are no problem (you can see I have no problem writing too much).
Pictures are also not a problem.

Thanks for your consideration.

Brian Dodez

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----- Original Message -----

From: Brian Dodez

To: BackpackGearTest@egroups.com

Sent: Friday, November 03, 2000 9:15 AM

Subject: [BackpackGearTest] Hammock in a Winter Wonderland...

1.  How does the hammock do condensation-wise, and how much of that is a
function of current weather conditions?

Condensation is pretty much a non-issure with hammocks

2.  How does it do with snow, especially wet snow?

Well. When the rainfly touches your nose and wakes you up just hit it and the snow will fall off....=o)

3.  Does it keep out driving rain?

Yes, especially with the new fly that will be coming with the test hammocks.

4.  How stable is it in the wind?

VERY. I pitched mine on a ledge at the head of a LONG, narrow canyon just to fine out. The fly buzzing all night drove me nuts but the hammock just did a gently swaying. The things I do for my hobby.

5.  How well does the entry system work?  Does it create unforeseen problems
in winter or rainy conditions?

You just rise up through the slit, set back and down, pull your legs in and it seals. Adjusting the velco on the entrance slit does make for a more secure closure but I frequently don't bother. All of the unforseen problems I know of are....well...unforseen yet....  ;o)

6.  How spacious is it?  Does stowing extra winter gear in the hammock
create space problems?

I don't think it is really too practical to store much gear inside the hammock. It comes with a slider net pouch on the ridge line for small items from your pockets. I also hang my glasses over the line. If I am going to be out in long term bad weather I leave the factory fly at home and take a 10' x 12' silnylon tarp instead. There are 2 or 3 ways to pitch it. If the wind/snow isn't too bad I like a 3' on oneside, 9' on the other drap over the ridge line. That gives you TONS of protected space and you can enter the hammock out of the weather. If it is heavy snow I pitch it 6' foot on each side with a pretty mean pitch. Snow doesn't stick to sharply pitched silnylon very well.

7.  Does the lightweight material necessitate special care considerations or
a shortened expected product life?

Not that I've seen. The thing appears to be toughern' a boot. I don't abuse my gear but I damn sure don't baby it either.

8.  Does the reflector described on the website work in winter conditions,
or is a lightweight foam pad necessary?

Good question. That's one of the things Tom wants to find out. I think you will need the same thickness pad as you'd need in a tent/tarp. I believe a synthetic bag will work better than a down one. The sides of the hammock tend to compress down. But each tester is supposed to work out a system for themselves. I was in one last night at 25 degrees. I had no space blanket, a 2" thick Therma-rest (the same one I use for all snow/ice packing)and a Big Agnes 20 degree synthetic bag. No problem.

9.  How is the overall workmanship?

Outstanding. Tom is a perfectionist.

10.  How does it compare to a lightweight tent?

In what way? It's lighter, more comfortable, much easier and faster to set up, can be set up in places that a tent would just be impossible, and has no poles so it packs smaller. But then I'm a convert. You may hate it. But I'd be surprised. It does take a different style of camp set up. Not bad, just different. And it is MUCH less picky about the terrain. Two trees are a lot easier to find in the mountains than a level, flat, clear, open space big enough to set up a tent.

Reports are no problem (you can see I have no problem writing too much). 
Pictures are also not a problem.

Thanks for your consideration.

Brian Dodez

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I'd like to put my name in the hat for being a Hennessy Hammock tester.  I
agree to the conditions and deadlines specified.

I am  a 30 year old male, 175 lbs, 5'10".  I've been backpacking for about
three years and am always looking for lighterweight gear.  I live in
Kentucky so the winter here haven't been harsh the last few years.  By day,
I am an engineer and have done competitive testing in the past, so I feel I
would be able to contribute to the field testing.

Tim

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Jerry,

I thought I might be too busy for this round but I'm now in-between
jobs with plenty of time over next few months for this gear test.
The November thru December time frame will be perfect for enjoying
some fall to winter overnight outings in the Northwest.  Snow is
likely for the North Cascades any time now.  Please count me in as a
potential tester of the hammock.
I'm 42 and 5'9" at at 200 lbs.  My winter gear consists of a 15
degree synthetic bag and a polar fleece liner when the temps dip down
around 0 and a full length 3/4" self-inflating sleeping pad.  My
winter shelters have all been of the 3 to 4 season tent variety.  I
would enjoy the opportunity to compare the hammock with my tenting
experiences.  Evaluation of methods for extending the temperature
rating would be primary.  Secondary would be evaluation of
condensation, ease of setup, comfort, wind/rain/snow shedding
performance, as well as entry/exit convenience, gear storage.  I have
a Radio Shack indoor/outdoor thermometer with min/max memory for
recording minimum overnight temperatures.  I also have both a digital
camera, 35mm camera and scanner for documenting use of the hammock in
winter conditions.  I have web page building experience and would be
happy to create a small sight just for posting any pictures I take.
I agree to all the conditions outlined for this test.   I would want
to evaluate at least two methods for extending the cold weather
rating using pads and radiant heat reflectors.  I would buy
reflectors/pads and incidentals either from a local REI or by mail
order.

Mark Smythe

I've been out of town and missed the initial posting(s) for applying
for testing the Hennessy Hammock...

I'd like to apply to test the hammock and I agree to adhere to the 3
main requirements as well as any additional requirements requested by
the manufacturer.

Personal info:

age:    44
gender: male
height: 5'10"
weight: 195

Test strategy:

It appears that the testing will occur during the most despicable
hiking season in New England - mid-November to mid-December. Weather
now is basically raw and damp with cold drizzle/rain, freezing rain
or sleet. I'd take winter any day over this.

I plan to do my testing near a shelter along the AT or LT somewhere
in New England so that I have the option to bail in the event of
conditions that the hammock can't handle. Hopefully the weather will
be sufficiently nasty and it will be an interesting test.

What I plan to use for the test:

Only 1, maybe 2 of these pads will go along on the field test, the
rest I will mess with at home:

1 3/4 length ridge rest
1 full length deluxe ridge rest
1 3/4 length Therm-a-rest ultra lite
1 2" Therm-a-rest LE (my winter pad)

1 Intergral Designs 8'x10' sylnylon tarp (in case the fly doesn't
   cut it and to check it out as a shelter that I can cook/live under
   as well as sleep under.

1 Thermalite emergency blanket
1 Thermalite bivy
1 Mountain Hardwear Stormlite Bivy

Sleeping bag (Only one of these set-ups will go on the field test):

Marmot Kestrel GTX (down, 0 F)
Western Mountaineering MityLite (down, 40 F) - used with the
Thermalite(s)and the Stormlite)

<SNIP>BTW Gerry Gladu was included in the Hennessy Hammock test because he
did such a prompt, outstanding job of reporting in the Seychelle filter
testing.<SNIP>

Jerry:

This is not a knock of Gerry, as he is an experienced backpacker who has
demonstrated that he can do a thoughtful and timely review.  However, I was
under the impression that testers were chosen randomly, and the fact that I
have not been selected to participate in either the Seychelle or Hennessy
test was simply a matter of chance.  If this is not so, please advise, as I
do not have the time to submit multiple test "applications" when I have less
than an equitable chance of being selected.

George Cole


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I have to agree. Let us know the game.

  -----Original Message-----
From:  George Cole [mailto:gcole@...]
Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2000 1:54 PM
To: BackpackGearTest@egroups.com
Subject: RE: [BackpackGearTest] Testers in Mulitple Tests

<SNIP>BTW Gerry Gladu was included in the Hennessy Hammock test because he
did such a prompt, outstanding job of reporting in the Seychelle filter
testing.<SNIP>

Jerry:

This is not a knock of Gerry, as he is an experienced backpacker who has
demonstrated that he can do a thoughtful and timely review.  However, I was
under the impression that testers were chosen randomly, and the fact that I
have not been selected to participate in either the Seychelle or Hennessy
test was simply a matter of chance.  If this is not so, please advise, as I
do not have the time to submit multiple test "applications" when I have less
than an equitable chance of being selected.

George Cole


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To be fair, if this is going to cause a controversy, I will back out
of the test to give someone else a chance.

Gerry

----- Original Message -----

From: Gerry Gladu

To: BackpackGearTest@egroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2000 2:48 PM

Subject: [BackpackGearTest] Re: Testers in Mulitple Tests

To be fair, if this is going to cause a controversy, I will back out
of the test to give someone else a chance.

Gerry


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----- Original Message -----

From: George Cole

To: BackpackGearTest@egroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2000 12:53 PM

Subject: RE: [BackpackGearTest] Testers in Mulitple Tests

However, I was
under the impression that testers were chosen randomly, and the fact that I
have not been selected to participate in either the Seychelle or Hennessy
test was simply a matter of chance.  If this is not so, please advise, as I
do not have the time to submit multiple test "applications" when I have less
than an equitable chance of being selected.

George Cole

 

Your impression is incorrect. The testers are generally chosen with an eye toward satisfying the manufacturers requirements for that specific test. In the case of a completely new product by a new manufacturer, the very lack of experience of a tester may be a plus as this would show the manufacturer possible weaknesses in their instructions for use or in the product itself when used by the inexperienced. Some of the testers applying for the Hennessy test didn't live in areas nor were they going to areas, within the time frame of the test, that would provide the conditions required by the manufacturer for this test. This particular test could require some simple construction or minor engineering abilities. All of that was taken into concederation. In the Seychelle test the requirements weren't very restrictive and the selection was random. I suppose a case could be made that no human action is ever truly random. A truly random selection wouldn't be in the best interests of the people on this list or the manufacturers. Gerry was chosen for the stated reasons. I hope the stated reasons will prove to be unnecessary in the future. If you feel this is unreasonable then please do not apply in the future. This list is not a drawing for gear give away or a popularity contest. It is a serious list for the testing of gear for the benefit of both manufacturers and the people on this list. I hope this clarifies this issue.

Thanks for your interest.

Jerry

Jerry,

I know you keep pounding this message:

"This list is not
a drawing for gear give away or a popularity contest. It is a serious
list for the testing of gear for the benefit of both manufacturers and
the people on this list."

But speaking for myself (and probably most people in this group), you
are giving us more credit for altruism than we deserve.

Of course, we are interested in some free gear!  We all love gear.  We
eat, sleep, breathe gear . . . especially when we are out on the trail
and it is our means of existence.

Now if we can apply our years of experience in backpacking towards
giving valuable input to manufacturers . . . then that's great and in
that sense it is not a "giveway".  We are trading our time and knowledge
for gear.   But I bet if this system required us to pay for the gear to
be tested, then the level of interest in the group would be much lower.

Regarding the explanation for the multiple tester situation (i.e. tester
did excellent job on first test):  This means potentially that future
tests become dominated by a few testers who have repeatedly done a "good
job" on previous tests and there is no/little room for letting other
people have a shot at it.

Instead, I would propose that following guidelines be applied:

1.  If you do a good job, you are still in the "pool" for future tests,
but only if there are not other qualified candidates (meets the
manufacturers objectives) who haven't yet had a chance to test.

2.  But if there are sufficient qualified candidates without previously
being selected, they get to go next and the other testers have to wait
for their turn to come around again.

3.  If you do a poor job, then you go to the "back of the line" and have
to wait for a test where not enough qualified candidates exist and you
are a qualified candidate.




df







> Gear Tester wrote:
>
> This is a retransmission of an earlier message that has been delayed.
> It will appear again when ever hotmail gets around to delivering it.
> Sorry for the double post but this one is important.
> Jerry
>
>
> --- Original Message -----
> From: George Cole
> To: BackpackGearTest@egroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2000 12:53 PM
> Subject: RE: [BackpackGearTest] Testers in Mulitple Tests
>
> However, I was
> under the impression that testers were chosen randomly, and the fact
> that I
> have not been selected to participate in either the Seychelle or
> Hennessy
> test was simply a matter of chance.  If this is not so, please advise,
> as I
> do not have the time to submit multiple test "applications" when I
> have less
> than an equitable chance of being selected.
>
> George Cole
>
> Your impression is incorrect. The testers are generally chosen with an
> eye toward satisfying the manufacturers requirements for that specific
> test. In the case of a completely new product by a new manufacturer,
> the very lack of experience of a tester may be a plus as this would
> show the manufacturer possible weaknesses in their instructions for
> use or in the product itself when used by the inexperienced. Some of
> the testers applying for the Hennessy test didn't live in areas nor
> were they going to areas, within the time frame of the test, that
> would provide the conditions required by the manufacturer for this
> test. This particular test could require some simple construction or
> minor engineering abilities. All of that was taken into consideration.
> In the Seychelle test the requirements weren't very restrictive and
> the selection was random. I suppose a case could be made that no human
> action is ever truly random. A truly random selection wouldn't be in
> the best interests of the people on this list or the manufacturers.
> Gerry was chosen for the stated reasons. I hope the stated reasons
> will prove to be unnecessary in the future. If you feel this is
> unreasonable then please do not apply in the future. This list is not
> a drawing for gear give away or a popularity contest. It is a serious
> list for the testing of gear for the benefit of both manufacturers and
> the people on this list. I hope this clarifies this issue.
> Thanks for your interest.
>
>                       eGroups Sponsor
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> backpackgeartest-unsubscribe@egroups.com

----- Original Message -----

From: David Foote

To: BackpackGearTest@egroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2000 9:09 PM

Subject: Re: [BackpackGearTest] Ground Rules

Regarding the explanation for the multiple tester situation (i.e. tester
did excellent job on first test):  This means potentially that future
tests become dominated by a few testers who have repeatedly done a "good
job" on previous tests and there is no/little room for letting other
people have a shot at it.

 

No, this means that if every tester in this test group provides the required 3 reports and does a conscientious job of testing the gear in question then this question will never come up again. It means that each new test will involve new people. It means that 40% of the last test group didn't even do badly....they didn't do at all and that just isn't acceptable.

Jerry 

 

<SNIP>Your impression is incorrect. The testers are generally chosen with an
eye toward satisfying the manufacturers requirements for that specific test.
In the case of a completely new product by a new manufacturer, the very lack
of experience of a tester may be a plus as this would show the manufacturer
possible weaknesses in their instructions for use or in the product itself
when used by the inexperienced. Some of the testers applying for the
Hennessy test didn't live in areas nor were they going to areas, within the
time frame of the test, that would provide the conditions required by the
manufacturer for this test. This particular test could require some simple
construction or minor engineering abilities. All of that was taken into
consideration. In the Seychelle test the requirements weren't very
restrictive and the selection was random. I suppose a case could be made
that no human action is ever truly random. A truly random selection wouldn't
be in the best interests of the people on this list or the manufacturers.
Gerry was chosen for the stated reasons. I hope the stated reasons will
prove to be unnecessary in the future. If you feel this is unreasonable then
please do not apply in the future. This list is not a drawing for gear give
away or a popularity contest. It is a serious list for the testing of gear
for the benefit of both manufacturers and the people on this list. I hope
this clarifies this issue.
Thanks for your interest.<SNIP>

Thank you.  Issue clarified.  But since it appears that there will be no
free gear or enhanced popularity eventuating from my participation on this
list, I guess I should withdraw. (How did you spot me?  We've never even
met.)  However, before I go I guess I will begrudgingly share with you and
Tom and the listers my impressions on testing and modifying the Hennessy, a
piece of gear I've used extensively and grown quite fond of. I was kind of
hoping you would pick up on that in my application, and take advantage of my
experience. Oh well.

I bought an original Hennessy on impulse (I had just seen a climber sleeping
in one suspended over a chasm, and I thought it looked like really extreme,
you know). I'd never used a hammock for camping before, and quite frankly I
was skeptical.  However, it quickly became my favorite piece of lightweight
gear.  It's really simple, fast and easy to set up, you can set it up
anywhere there are trees, and it has provided me with a more comfortable
rest than I've ever gotten on the ground. And, because I didn't take my
Therm-a-rest anymore, overall it was not much heavier than a tarp.  I was so
pleased with it I had Tom send me one of the new Ultralight hammock bodies
(slings?) as soon as they were available. As with the original hammock,
construction and materials are first rate, and the Ultralight incorporates a
hanging mesh gear pocket on the ridge line that is quite functional.  The
new Dyneema cord used as the main suspension is remarkably light and thin,
and the included tree saver straps are a nice touch. Not bad for a little
over $100.00. As I understand it, an Ultralight with a silnylon fly will go
for less than $150.00.

By sleeping in the hammock at an angle (across the center line), I can get
nearly horizontal on my back, with just enough elevation of my head not to
need a pillow. I vary this by turning on my side in a fetal position, which
is also very comfortable.

The hammock body is constructed out of uncoated fabric, and is closed over
the top with noseum netting, so there is no condensation problem at all and
venting is superior. The problem is that air is circulating around and under
me, and the insulation in my sleeping bag is compressed against the bottom
of the hammock, so it can get quite chilly even during summer.  Therein is
the hammock's biggest shortcoming, especially for winter use.  After trying
and rejecting several other alternatives (including the funky space blanket
one), I'm having Dave Olsen sew a pad pocket on the bottom of my RAB Top
Bag. Depending on temperature, I will put a 1/4" or 3/8" closed cell pad in
the pocket (Thanks to Scott Henderson, I'm also going to experiment with
industrial strength metallized bubble wrap). The pocket, especially when the
hammock contact side is treated with several lines of diluted silicone
adhesive, will keep me from sliding off the pad and ending up in a ball in
the bottom of the hammock (another slight shortcoming - most sleeping bag
shell fabric is quite slippery and the hammock kind of channels you toward
the bottom). When it's really cold I will use my 40 degree WM Highlight or
15 degree FF Hummingbird as a liner bag. However, one needn't go to all this
trouble, as MacPac, Feathered Friends and Big Agnes market bags that come
with pad pockets.

The only other shortcoming I've found is that the stock 10' by 6'
diamond-shaped fly is not quite wide enough to provide sufficient rain
coverage when I'm sleeping crosswise.  I'm only 5'9", but water dripped off
the standard fly onto my feet (I'm sure Tom dimensioned the fly as a cost
saving measure - it uses only a single width of fabric). The simple and
elegant solution would be to sleep at less of an angle to the centerline,
but then I can't get as horizontal as I like.  Also, the  10' by 6' fly is
not quite big enough to cook under. So, after dusting off my high school
geometry I had Integral Designs sew me up a 10' by 8' diamond-shaped fly out
of silnylon. I've figured out how to use my hiking poles to hold it's
lateral points up in good weather, and in bad weather or when its cold I can
tether the lateral points down at an acute angle to give excellent
protection. When in the "up" position it's just wide enough to cook under,
and it weighs only 1.25 ounces more than the silnylon fly Tom supplies with
the stock Ultralight version.  My whole customized Ultralight shebang goes
just over 25 ounces.  Cool, huh?.
BTW, is anyone interested in a pre-owned standard Hennessy?

George


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----- Original Message -----

From: George Cole

To: BackpackGearTest@egroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2000 6:38 AM

Subject: [BackpackGearTest] Farewell report

The only other shortcoming I've found is that the stock 10' by 6'
diamond-shaped fly is not quite wide enough to provide sufficient rain
coverage when I'm sleeping crosswise.  I'm only 5'9", but water dripped off
the standard fly onto my feet (I'm sure Tom dimensioned the fly as a cost
saving measure - it uses only a single width of fabric).

 

No, actually it was done that way so the fly would have no seam to seal or possible leak point.Tom has found a wider silnylon roll so the tarps on the shipping models (you and I have pre-production units) have a wider fly.

 

 

So, after dusting off my high school
geometry I had Integral Designs sew me up a 10' by 8' diamond-shaped fly out
of silnylon.

 

I couldn't afford that solution so I just used a 10' x 12' silnylon tarp from Campmor. Pitched as a short on one side 'A" frame over the hammock it also provides me with a cook/lounge area during snow and storms. That lack is the only short coming I've found so far.

 

 

I've figured out how to use my hiking poles to hold it's
lateral points up in good weather,

 

I just carry 2 extra guylines to run from the ground to the poles then attach the supplied elastic guy to the pole. It works.

 

and in bad weather or when its cold I can
tether the lateral points down at an acute angle to give excellent
protection.

 

I then go to a straight "A" frame with 6' on each side. 

 

 

When in the "up" position it's just wide enough to cook under,
and it weighs only 1.25 ounces more than the silnylon fly Tom supplies with
the stock Ultralight version. 

 

Well, I carry a light weight lounger for my pad, I like a little room to spread out, so the 9' side going to the ground provides lots of room out of the weather. It's a bit heavier than just an additional oz but the whole thing is much lighter than any other shelter I've tried. I'm just getting lazy in my old age. Gotta have my comforts....lol.

 

 

My whole customized Ultralight shebang goes
just over 25 ounces.  Cool, huh?.
BTW, is anyone interested in a pre-owned standard Hennessy?

 

lol....do what I did, let your girlfriend carry that one.

George

Sorry to see you go, George. I hope it is just for this test. You might want to stick around, who knows what they will come up with. If not, maybe on another test or maybe not. Thanks for the imput. Take care, enjoy.

Jerry

Gerry I need your shipping information so I can send you your new
UltraLight!

Ann
----------
>From: "Gerry Gladu" <gerry.gladu@...>
>To: BackpackGearTest@egroups.com
>Subject: [BackpackGearTest] Re: Hennessy Hammock Tester Requirements
>Date: Mon, Nov 6, 2000, 10:10 AM
>

>I've been out of town and missed the initial posting(s) for applying
>for testing the Hennessy Hammock...
>
>I'd like to apply to test the hammock and I agree to adhere to the 3
>main requirements as well as any additional requirements requested by
>the manufacturer.
>
>Personal info:
>
>age:    44
>gender: male
>height: 5'10"
>weight: 195
>
>Test strategy:
>
>It appears that the testing will occur during the most despicable
>hiking season in New England - mid-November to mid-December. Weather
>now is basically raw and damp with cold drizzle/rain, freezing rain
>or sleet. I'd take winter any day over this.
>
>I plan to do my testing near a shelter along the AT or LT somewhere
>in New England so that I have the option to bail in the event of
>conditions that the hammock can't handle. Hopefully the weather will
>be sufficiently nasty and it will be an interesting test.
>
>What I plan to use for the test:
>
>Only 1, maybe 2 of these pads will go along on the field test, the
>rest I will mess with at home:
>
>1 3/4 length ridge rest
>1 full length deluxe ridge rest
>1 3/4 length Therm-a-rest ultra lite
>1 2" Therm-a-rest LE (my winter pad)
>
>1 Intergral Designs 8'x10' sylnylon tarp (in case the fly doesn't
>  cut it and to check it out as a shelter that I can cook/live under
>  as well as sleep under.
>
>1 Thermalite emergency blanket
>1 Thermalite bivy
>1 Mountain Hardwear Stormlite Bivy
>
>Sleeping bag (Only one of these set-ups will go on the field test):
>
>Marmot Kestrel GTX (down, 0 F)
>Western Mountaineering MityLite (down, 40 F) - used with the
>Thermalite(s)and the Stormlite)
>
>
>
>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>backpackgeartest-unsubscribe@egroups.com
>
>

>I'm having Dave Olsen sew a pad pocket on the bottom of my RAB Top
> Bag. Depending on temperature, I will put a 1/4" or 3/8" closed cell pad
in
> the pocket (Thanks to Scott Henderson, I'm also going to experiment with
> industrial strength metallized bubble wrap).

George, I also was contemplating adding (with my trusty sewing machine) a
pocket to the bottom of my Woods NorthernLite Bag to accommodate a pad
(either a mylar/foam car sunshade, or a 1/4" closed cell foam pad) if I
couldn't come up with a satisfactory method of altering/adding to the
hammock.

One other idea that I have which may enhance the bag pad-pocket idea was to
laminate (using 3M spay adhesive or any other workable adhesive) a mylar
space blanket onto a 1/4" closed cell pad and using that in the bag pocket.
Possibly being able to alternate the degree of added warmth by inserting the
pad - mylar side to the bag (for more warmth) or mylar side away from the
bag (for less warmth)?

Also your idea of using diluted silicone as a friction coating for the
hammock is very good.
If I remember, years ago when I bought my Thermorest, I found it to be very
slippery between the nylon floor of my tent and my nylon bag, so I bought a
spray coating called "Slip Fix" sold by Thermorest just for this problem and
it worked well. I also used it on the handle of my graphite pool cue and it
really worked well there too.
This was quite a few years ago, so I'm not sure if that product is still on
the market, but if it is, it may be an easier alternative to diluting and
applying silicone.

Great report, and info. I too am sorry to see you leave the group.

Rob Stanley

"Tom Hennessy" <hennessyhammock@g...> wrote:

> Gerry I need your shipping information so I can send you your new
> UltraLight!

Hmmm.. I sent that almost 3 hours ago. I'll resend it.

Gerry

Hi, Rob:

<SNIP>One other idea that I have which may enhance the bag pad-pocket idea
was to laminate (using 3M spay adhesive or any other workable adhesive) a
mylar space blanket onto a 1/4" closed cell pad and using that in the bag
pocket. Possibly being able to alternate the degree of added warmth by
inserting the pad - mylar side to the bag (for more warmth) or mylar side
away from the
bag (for less warmth)?<SNIP>

Actually, the fabric that I'm having Dave Olsen use to construct the RAB
pocket is a unique silver 1.1 silnylon that is quite reflective.  I also
used it for the custom fly I had ID make for me, with the shiny side down,
in order to reflect heat back into the hammock from above. I didn't mention
it in the report because Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics has run out of it and
may not be able to get more.  However, Dave stocks a 1.1 black silnylon that
he has had laminated to the gold mylar space blanket material (probably runs
about 1.5 to 1.7 ounces a square yd.)  You could get some from him and maybe
save yourself from what sounds like an onerous chore.

<SNIP>Great report, and info. I too am sorry to see you leave the
group.<SNIP>

Thanks, but my job is so demanding right now that I have trouble even
reading all the BPL posts.  I only reported on the Hennessy because I really
like it and had already done a lot of informal testing and experimentation
with it.

George


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