hennessy hammock

i had a wee play with the hennessy hammock in the garden the other day and then again today setting it up properly now complete with the tarp and snakeskin fitted...
i used the uprights on the unfinished lean-to out front of the garage though the posts were roughly 4 yards apart and it really needs 5-6 yards to give you room on the cords for adjusting and lashing the cord...

as with alot of small tents it comes with the flysheet rolled up seperate but you can leave it on and roll it up complete..so i did this today and added the snakeskins at each end...these allow the full hammock to be rolled up off the ground and kept clean once you loosen the cord...
i was struggling a bit with the instructions on the lashings for the tree loops...
you can see the snakeskin cover fitted...

so i went on youtube where i had already watched alot of set up films on the hammock and rewatched this handy film which really helped me out showing the lashing procedure clearly...



with the 2 offset guy ropes off the sides of the tarp tied onto the garage door handle and the trailer in my yard i attached the elastic cords on the sides of the hammock and job done...a velcro access slit at one end allows you to get in standing up...

and then you just turn round and sit into the hammock and when you pull your legs up and feet in the slit self closes and you just secure the velcro...


inside theres lots of room...

you dont spin round or rock uncontrolled infact you can lie on your side or front and the side views with the mesh give a less clostafobic feel than a small tent...


i will use my 3/4 thermarest to lie on top of under my sleeping bag for insulation which i think i can easily enough inflate and get in position when inside...theres a mesh net and some hooks above too for torch,book,hanging socks to air etc...
to drop the hammock i just untied the 2 side cords on the tarp and rolling it up pulled the snakeskins across from each end then undid the cords and job done...

the hammock can then be pushed into a rucksack or indeed bicycle pannier like this fitting to the shape of the bag...its bigger and heavier than a bivvy bag but smaller and lighter than a tent...it weighs 1265 grams/ 2 lbs,12 oz...
guess its really an alternative to both, for me ideal for a scottish hillside midge infested wood (glencoe nearby the clachaig inn!) or a wood near me here with a badger set where hopefully i can lie and watch them...that would be cool...