I am a Scoutmaster and I always appreciate videos of people admitting their "learnings" in the camping game...it breaks down barriers for young people to try new things. Good stuff here....thanks!
I feel your pain as I been there too. Lol. Some people are afraid to get into hammocks because they see all the separate components and think it is more complicated than a tent. But I had issues with pitching my tent up the first couple times just like my hammock. Everything has a learning curve. Even tents. Great video! 👍
First night in my Hennesy was with a pad, at 22 degrees I didn't sleep well. I ordered a Mt. Washington 4 UQ from JRB and have been hangin' tosty ever since.
I have made the same mistakes when I first started out hammock camping. I turned to Hammock Forms and Shug Emery. Both have giving me the knowledge and confidence I need to get the best hang. I'm now in my 15th year of hammock camping and loving it. There is a learning curve to hammocks but once you get it done it becomes second nature.
Thank you for sharing your learning opportunities. Such a great channel! Every video i learn something and your excitement for hiking and gear makes me want to do more and try new stuff despite not being in peak performance shape. Thanks for being real and being awesome!
Great video John. I am going through the learning curve. Next big step be receiving my underquilt. My biggest challenges have been not having the proper insulation and obtaining the proper hang. The trees I’m using are at 17 feet.
I’ve been working on a DIY Costco Down Throw for an underquilt. I’m seeing in faux baffles which is providing some nice loft. I’m anxious to see if it provides any extra warmth.
I got soaked and spent the night in the car 1st time. I've been driven to the point of uncontrollable chills. I torn 2 hammocks and 1 tarp. (Used Wal-Mart for the learning curve) Now that I know what I'm doing I enjoy a hummingbird hammock and whoopie slings, with a homemade down under quilt for the weight factor. My nylon tarp is multi use at 10x10 that comes in at 1 lb. Backpacking with the grands is great again. No heavy complicated tent or poles, the boys just set up a tarp with my treking poles. Even the 7 yr old can carry her load. Her hammock rides offset and lower with mine under my tarp. Granny loves backpacking! See you out there!
Great tips, I also made the mistake of the underquilt. My husband has been coaching me but he is also a foot taller. I've learned that what logistically works for him, does not work for me. For example my hammock cant be so high that I have to jump in.
I can totally relate! Last winter I was learning how to hot tent and holy smokes can that one go sideways. hahaha I enjoy the channel and podcast. Keep it up.
I've definitely learned not to go without a sleeping pad or underquilt in my hammock (rookie mistake #1) and I've also learned that the Hennessy Hammock I use works best if the rainfly tarp is attached directly to the ridgeline, rather than tying it to the tree a little bit above the hammock. This works best to keep out wind or rain! (and it's the fastest setup when I can just shove my snakeskins over everything: hammock + rainfly together)
Hello JK, your mistakes are very common. I made the mistake of my bottom quilt hung to low and my tarp was not tight. I only had it a couple weeks. Take Care and Keep Exploring The Outdoors.
My first time out in a DD Frontline hammock, I hand the foot too low, so I slide to the bottom in a crumpled ball. I was a very cozy crumpled ball, but still a crumpled ball. I also tried tethering my under quilt up to my ridge line, instead of the tie off point on the hammock that I had missed. It sort of worked. But just moving in my sleep was enough to pull a full tie outs loose, and also my weight made the ridge line sag badly. It was an experience.
I bought a Dream Hammock Sparrow with a UGQ quilt. I set it up for the first time this last weekend. I have no clue how to attach that under quilt. I wasn't expecting the under quilt to frustrate me so much. I'm in Michigan. The weather is great this week so I'm hoping to get back out this weekend to mess with it. Can you direct me to a video that may help with attaching my UQ properly? 💜✌️Steph
@@jonsanford2515 thanks. This is my second hammock and I can set that up well but I've never had an under quilt. I figured it out tho. I'm getting out this weekend!!!
Great video John. I don't like having a cold rear end either so I'll keep these tips in mind! I think I'd like to use a hammock instead of a tent for Bike packing trips and I'm curious how often you run into sites where you just can't use a hammock? So far, the bike trips I've taken have been to ABNB's. (Don't tell anyone I'm not camping!)
Nothing wrong with Air B n' B's. 😂 If you're on the eastern side of the US, it's almost always pretty easy to find a place to put up a hammock. We don't have the plains, desserts, or quite as many open areas as they do out west.
Dude I’m newish to the hammock world (using for about a year) , and it is comfortable. It makes me pee so many times at night when I’m in it. What is that about?
There's an entire generation who should be watching this video and youe whole channel, not specifically for the content but for the guts, honesty, integrity, humility and I could go on, however I hope the msg gets across to them, have the balls or to be politically correct the honesty and courage to admit when you're wrong and to keep those 'human videos left up on your channel for people to see you're human, we all make mistakes but we learn from them and grow. Your a great person and I and my eldest son whos growing between school grades and as they get older their camps/hikes get longer and harder, we have a select few channels who we keep watch of and although down under in northern australia it doesn't get cold, we still take notes of your learnings we can put into practice if required cheers again.
Thanks so much, Jeff! It’s great that you’re getting your son out there with you!!! I love seeing parents pass on their love of the outdoors. Thanks again for the kind words!
My current hammock is a 9ft and I’m 6’ 2 lol if I work it right I can get an ok lay in it. Definitely want the darian though. Who knows one day I may just do a video on my whole low budget backpacking set up lol
🤣🤣🤣 The same over here man, the same. 🤣 But we all learn from our mistakes, it's good. Ummmmmm, I'm pretty sure I never punctured a strap or something... .... It's Okay, It's Okay my man. 😁 And from over ... let's say... 25 years... New gear? Test it at home, ALWAYS...🤣 I now have Bolts in my walls, we have so much fun watching movies in Hammock... lol And then, I took them outside... :) Nice video my man.
My first time hammock camping I couldn't get my bottom quilt to keep me warm in 50 degree weather. I had a built-in bug net so I could not adjust it while in the hammock. So I used a blow up sleeping pad instead. That not only kept me warm, it spread the hammock out so I did not feel cocooned. It was the best sleep. Better than sleeping on my sleep number bed at home.
Getting the underquilt right is definitely a challenge. Either not getting it snug up against your bottom like you said, or not cinching the ends right allowing wind in (good on warm weather though). Biggest struggle is finding the right trees and getting the hammock hung right, so the ridgeline isn't too tight and I have that sweet sweet comfortable sag!
@@john_kelley Reminding myself to put the straps up higher on the tree first has seemed to help me get there easier. But still a lot of back and forth, lol.
First trip I didn't have any thing under me. No sleep pad not under quilt. I ended up using my wet weather gear and it kept sliding down because my hammock was too slack. It was a long cold scrunched up night.
The first time I used mine I had a problem. The hammock was new and has a nylon rope suspension. During the night two problems occurred that startled me but it didn't come down. The new ropes stretched from my weight and also the rope was cutting into the soft trees it was suspended between. This caused it to loosen a little an move down the tree.
I’m currently gathering gear to make the switch to a hammock. I’m hoping to learn from other’s mistakes instead of the norm and learning from my own mistakes. lol. So thank you for the advice. 😉👍
I didn't put beads on my homemade whoopie slings and fully closed the loops 😬 I had to pull through the bury and just tie a knot to be able to sleep that night! Luckily it was just a one night trip not far from home so I didn't have to rely on weakened slings for long.
Could you do a video on this was wrong, now this is the correct way, it would be helpful for us new bees. I have a second hand hammock and everyone says get a tent, or everyone they know who started with a hammock switched to a tent.
At first I thought the podcast was from ZZ Top based on the picture. Then I realized it was a couple of sharp dressed backpackers with a story and fun. I am still fiddling with my HG Econ Phoenix. Can't seem to fix the cold shoulder and upper back issues. Press on.
I made the mistake once of thinking 550 paracord could hold 550 lbs, absolutely not true! 🤣 I'll just leave that one right there haha... And I also figured out thru trial and error how much suspension angle plays a major role in comfort level. Lastly, the cold butt syndrome got me on a chilly night next to the Uwharrie River . It dipped into the upper 30's and I realized immediately that a 30° sleeping bag is useless without bottom insulation! There's my mistakes and lessons learned, have a blessed day. 12 STONES 👍
Man... I love the videos but that intro music is SO LOUD!!! I'm relaxing in my hammock in the backyard listening to some videos and then your video starts and BAAAMMM!!! SO LOUD!!! and then back to normal talk. Anyway, no offense - just a suggestion.
Owning your mistakes is great but didn't you miss perhaps the biggest mistake...try out new gear and make sure you understand it in your backyard or something....in other words low/no risk environment before heading out. Things can go really bad really quick if the weather is bad etc and you don't know how to use your equipment.
I am a Scoutmaster and I always appreciate videos of people admitting their "learnings" in the camping game...it breaks down barriers for young people to try new things. Good stuff here....thanks!
I feel your pain as I been there too. Lol. Some people are afraid to get into hammocks because they see all the separate components and think it is more complicated than a tent. But I had issues with pitching my tent up the first couple times just like my hammock. Everything has a learning curve. Even tents. Great video! 👍
Thanks! I agree. Everything has a learning curve.
First night in my Hennesy was with a pad, at 22 degrees I didn't sleep well. I ordered a Mt. Washington 4 UQ from JRB and have been hangin' tosty ever since.
Respect for the humility! Every one of us has made a fool of ourselves, the rest of us are just lucky enough to not have recorded it haha .
Gotta own it! 😂
Slept in a hammock, during a 35° evening, with no under quilt...that night was loooooooong.
😂😂😂😂
BEEN THERE! hahaha
I have made the same mistakes when I first started out hammock camping. I turned to Hammock Forms and Shug Emery. Both have giving me the knowledge and confidence I need to get the best hang. I'm now in my 15th year of hammock camping and loving it. There is a learning curve to hammocks but once you get it done it becomes second nature.
Yes. Exactly. Hammock camping has a bit of art to it. Once you figure it out, you are in heaven.
No matter what Jeremiah says, you must be a good man to own up to making mistakes. I love you guys podcast. Thanks for all you do.
Thanks, Mick! I really appreciate that.
Thank you for sharing your learning opportunities. Such a great channel! Every video i learn something and your excitement for hiking and gear makes me want to do more and try new stuff despite not being in peak performance shape. Thanks for being real and being awesome!
Great video John. I am going through the learning curve. Next big step be receiving my underquilt. My biggest challenges have been not having the proper insulation and obtaining the proper hang. The trees I’m using are at 17 feet.
Thanks, Warren!!! That’s a long hang!
@@john_kelley yes it’s a bummer. I’m thinking about sinking a couple of 4x6’s at 15’
Good idea!
I’ve been working on a DIY Costco Down Throw for an underquilt. I’m seeing in faux baffles which is providing some nice loft. I’m anxious to see if it provides any extra warmth.
@@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker Very nice!
I got soaked and spent the night in the car 1st time. I've been driven to the point of uncontrollable chills. I torn 2 hammocks and 1 tarp. (Used Wal-Mart for the learning curve)
Now that I know what I'm doing I enjoy a hummingbird hammock and whoopie slings, with a homemade down under quilt for the weight factor. My nylon tarp is multi use at 10x10 that comes in at 1 lb. Backpacking with the grands is great again.
No heavy complicated tent or poles, the boys just set up a tarp with my treking poles. Even the 7 yr old can carry her load. Her hammock rides offset and lower with mine under my tarp.
Granny loves backpacking! See you out there!
I love that! It's so great that you get to go out with the grandkids!
The unfortunate nature of youtube, EVERYONE gets to see your growing pains in the hobby.
True story.
I wore a hammock one time when all my boxers were dirty. Wasn't comfortable at all. I do laundry more often now.
😂😂😂
Great tips, I also made the mistake of the underquilt. My husband has been coaching me but he is also a foot taller. I've learned that what logistically works for him, does not work for me. For example my hammock cant be so high that I have to jump in.
That’s the great thing about hammocks, though. You just have to match it to your needs.
I can totally relate! Last winter I was learning how to hot tent and holy smokes can that one go sideways. hahaha I enjoy the channel and podcast. Keep it up.
I’m so jealous. I really want to try a hot tent this winter.
@@john_kelley Do it! Its a lot of fun.
@@SignalOutdoors I definitely want to
Gotta love hammock camping. Hammocks are so comfortable. Great tips to tell everyone.
You were the guy that got me interested in it.
@@john_kelley 😁😁
I've definitely learned not to go without a sleeping pad or underquilt in my hammock (rookie mistake #1) and I've also learned that the Hennessy Hammock I use works best if the rainfly tarp is attached directly to the ridgeline, rather than tying it to the tree a little bit above the hammock. This works best to keep out wind or rain! (and it's the fastest setup when I can just shove my snakeskins over everything: hammock + rainfly together)
Hello JK, your mistakes are very common. I made the mistake of my bottom quilt hung to low and my tarp was not tight. I only had it a couple weeks. Take Care and Keep Exploring The Outdoors.
I know I’m not alone. We all mess up in the beginning.
My first time out in a DD Frontline hammock, I hand the foot too low, so I slide to the bottom in a crumpled ball. I was a very cozy crumpled ball, but still a crumpled ball.
I also tried tethering my under quilt up to my ridge line, instead of the tie off point on the hammock that I had missed. It sort of worked. But just moving in my sleep was enough to pull a full tie outs loose, and also my weight made the ridge line sag badly. It was an experience.
Hammocks definitely take a touch of finesse.
I bought a Dream Hammock Sparrow with a UGQ quilt. I set it up for the first time this last weekend. I have no clue how to attach that under quilt. I wasn't expecting the under quilt to frustrate me so much. I'm in Michigan. The weather is great this week so I'm hoping to get back out this weekend to mess with it. Can you direct me to a video that may help with attaching my UQ properly?
💜✌️Steph
UGQ has a RUclips channel. I’m not sure if they have a video on that. Shugemery is a great channel for learning anything about hammock camping.
I'll check it out!
I found this awesome video!! I have the Zeppelen UQ 77"
ruclips.net/video/Cg4gYbqzxCg/видео.html
Outdoor Adventures also has a series of how-to hammock videos.
@@jonsanford2515 thanks. This is my second hammock and I can set that up well but I've never had an under quilt. I figured it out tho. I'm getting out this weekend!!!
You show the mistakes, but it would have been nice to see how looks like done the right way
Awesome stuff, bro! We are all learning together 😁
True story
Can someone tell me the advantages of hammock vs tent?
I did a video on it. ruclips.net/video/Q-sr-KALNHI/видео.html
Great video John. I don't like having a cold rear end either so I'll keep these tips in mind! I think I'd like to use a hammock instead of a tent for Bike packing trips and I'm curious how often you run into sites where you just can't use a hammock? So far, the bike trips I've taken have been to ABNB's. (Don't tell anyone I'm not camping!)
Nothing wrong with Air B n' B's. 😂 If you're on the eastern side of the US, it's almost always pretty easy to find a place to put up a hammock. We don't have the plains, desserts, or quite as many open areas as they do out west.
Dude I’m newish to the hammock world (using for about a year) , and it is comfortable. It makes me pee so many times at night when I’m in it. What is that about?
That may be a mystery the world will never know. 😂😂😂
Your feet are higher than your body and the water build up is coming out. Does it to me too.
There's an entire generation who should be watching this video and youe whole channel, not specifically for the content but for the guts, honesty, integrity, humility and I could go on, however I hope the msg gets across to them, have the balls or to be politically correct the honesty and courage to admit when you're wrong and to keep those 'human videos left up on your channel for people to see you're human, we all make mistakes but we learn from them and grow. Your a great person and I and my eldest son whos growing between school grades and as they get older their camps/hikes get longer and harder, we have a select few channels who we keep watch of and although down under in northern australia it doesn't get cold, we still take notes of your learnings we can put into practice if required cheers again.
Thanks so much, Jeff! It’s great that you’re getting your son out there with you!!! I love seeing parents pass on their love of the outdoors. Thanks again for the kind words!
My current hammock is a 9ft and I’m 6’ 2 lol if I work it right I can get an ok lay in it. Definitely want the darian though. Who knows one day I may just do a video on my whole low budget backpacking set up lol
Wow! If you can make that work, you are a wizard. 🪄
@@john_kelley it’s not the most comfortable but definitely better than ground dwelling
Wow dude, the weight loss shows!! You look great!!! I appreciate your humble style and I can relate!!
Thanks! Still got a ways to go, but I'm definitely feeling the loss.
@@john_kelley Dude....35 lbs is like 5 of Kyle Hates Hiking packs!!
@@BohemianAdventurers 😂😂😂
Humble man! Lol good work!
Thanks!
🤣🤣🤣 The same over here man, the same. 🤣
But we all learn from our mistakes, it's good. Ummmmmm, I'm pretty sure I never punctured a strap or something... .... It's Okay, It's Okay my man. 😁
And from over ... let's say... 25 years... New gear? Test it at home, ALWAYS...🤣
I now have Bolts in my walls, we have so much fun watching movies in Hammock... lol
And then, I took them outside... :)
Nice video my man.
My first time hammock camping I couldn't get my bottom quilt to keep me warm in 50 degree weather. I had a built-in bug net so I could not adjust it while in the hammock. So I used a blow up sleeping pad instead. That not only kept me warm, it spread the hammock out so I did not feel cocooned. It was the best sleep. Better than sleeping on my sleep number bed at home.
Nice! There are lots of people who prefer a sleeping pad.
Getting the underquilt right is definitely a challenge. Either not getting it snug up against your bottom like you said, or not cinching the ends right allowing wind in (good on warm weather though).
Biggest struggle is finding the right trees and getting the hammock hung right, so the ridgeline isn't too tight and I have that sweet sweet comfortable sag!
Getting the ridgeline too tight is my issue. I always struggle getting that just right.
@@john_kelley Reminding myself to put the straps up higher on the tree first has seemed to help me get there easier. But still a lot of back and forth, lol.
Same here. It’s hard when you’re short, though. Lol
First trip I didn't have any thing under me. No sleep pad not under quilt. I ended up using my wet weather gear and it kept sliding down because my hammock was too slack. It was a long cold scrunched up night.
The first time I used mine I had a problem. The hammock was new and has a nylon rope suspension. During the night two problems occurred that startled me but it didn't come down.
The new ropes stretched from my weight and also the rope was cutting into the soft trees it was suspended between. This caused it to loosen a little an move down the tree.
I’m currently gathering gear to make the switch to a hammock. I’m hoping to learn from other’s mistakes instead of the norm and learning from my own mistakes. lol. So thank you for the advice. 😉👍
Just be ok with making the ones that happen. That's how I seem to learn best. LOL
@@john_kelley oh I know I will make several. lol
@@Hftimes2 And you'll embrace them
I didn't put beads on my homemade whoopie slings and fully closed the loops 😬 I had to pull through the bury and just tie a knot to be able to sleep that night! Luckily it was just a one night trip not far from home so I didn't have to rely on weakened slings for long.
Yikes! That could’ve been a complete nightmare.
Could you do a video on this was wrong, now this is the correct way, it would be helpful for us new bees. I have a second hand hammock and everyone says get a tent, or everyone they know who started with a hammock switched to a tent.
That’s actually on the list.
New sub from Scotland 👍🏻
Welcome aboard!
I have a Warbonnet Wooki underquilt and W.B. Eldorado hammock. Please enlighten me, what is this cold butt and draft you speak of? I'm unfamiliar. 😁
I’m going to be trying a ridge runner soon with a thunderfly tarp. First time using warbonnet gear. Pretty pumped.
What's that thing on your face?
At first I thought the podcast was from ZZ Top based on the picture. Then I realized it was a couple of sharp dressed backpackers with a story and fun. I am still fiddling with my HG Econ Phoenix. Can't seem to fix the cold shoulder and upper back issues. Press on.
😂😂😂 Thanks!
I need to do a set hammock set up video so I can get comments how to connect my mistakes. 😊
😂
Hey, like my grandpa used to say, "live and learn"! You're alright no worries...we learn from your mistakes, circle of life!
I made the mistake once of thinking 550 paracord could hold 550 lbs, absolutely not true! 🤣 I'll just leave that one right there haha... And I also figured out thru trial and error how much suspension angle plays a major role in comfort level. Lastly, the cold butt syndrome got me on a chilly night next to the Uwharrie River . It dipped into the upper 30's and I realized immediately that a 30° sleeping bag is useless without bottom insulation! There's my mistakes and lessons learned, have a blessed day. 12 STONES 👍
That cold butt syndrome is the worst!!! Especially when the temps are in the 30s!
@@john_kelley yes sir it is!
That sounds like a fun trip...
Oh yeah!
On my first hammocking trip, I didn't even know about under quilts. 🙄, oops...
Neither did I.
Love your vids
Last time I was this early, the channel’s name was JK is hiking.
LOL... That's great!
Hiker humility - love it! Thanks for being real JK!
Thanks, man!
Man... I love the videos but that intro music is SO LOUD!!! I'm relaxing in my hammock in the backyard listening to some videos and then your video starts and BAAAMMM!!! SO LOUD!!! and then back to normal talk. Anyway, no offense - just a suggestion.
No offense taken.
I agree! The intro makes me almost pee myself if I'm not expecting it to play when it's in autoplay mode
Owning your mistakes is great but didn't you miss perhaps the biggest mistake...try out new gear and make sure you understand it in your backyard or something....in other words low/no risk environment before heading out. Things can go really bad really quick if the weather is bad etc and you don't know how to use your equipment.
That’s not one the mistakes I made, but that’s good advice.
Looks like you have lost some weight, my guy
Thanks! 35lbs so far.