Verlager
2004-08-16, 17:57
Having had a slight mishap [http://hikinghq.net/forum/showthread.php?t=911] in a Hennessey Hammock Explorer Deluxe Asym (HH), I decided to try a Clarke jungle hammock.
I have a love-hate relationship with both of these hammocks. Each was conceived and engineered as a somewhat unique and generally original product. Neither product is perfect. Tom Hennessey is an industrial designer, so his products are, as expected, more innovative, cutting edge, and not based on existing or old WWII hammock design. Probably, more sensible, correct, and original thinking went into the design and manufacture of the Hennessey Hammock than into the old school, low-tech Clarke jungle hammock.
The HH was fun at first, I really liked it, but, compared to the CJH, it is just too flimsy, unstable and temperamental for me, probably because I weigh 285 lbs. and am 55 years old. However, I look forward to trying the new insulating and weatherproofing enhancements to the Hennessey hammock. I will use it on hikes because it is light, and relatively fool proof.
The Clarke Jungle Hammock is more traditional design, impossible to tip, warmer, but a lot heavier, less rain resistant, and a more complex affair to rig. The rainfly is difficult (for me) to rig. Rig too loose and you lose the bug-net height and profile. Rig too tight and the cheap bungee cords break (designed that way, like the 50-cent fuse that blows to save the $100 TV) or the connection points tear. The design is 2nd rate and suspect. I don't really want to diddle with a marginal, finicky design of a hammock when I'm hiking miles from home in Hell's half acre or out where Jesus lost his sandals. I want reliability and a bomb-proof design.
Also, I don't use the supplied Clarke Jungle Hammock rainfly, which I regard as another kludge to the overall bad design. Instead I simply attach the toy bungee cords (which add an upper profile) to a 6' length of utility cord http://hikinghq.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=155&stc=1 to the main support ropes on either side. I use Canadian Robert Chisnall's (Canadian climber) adjustable loop on the hammock side, and Blake's Hitch (an arborist slide and grip ascending knot) on the outboard side.
Blake's Hitch Pic #1 http://www.iland.net/~jbritton/blakeshitch.htm Pic #2 http://storrick.cnchost.com/VerticalDevicesPage/Ascender/KnotPages/KnotBlakes.html
But, temperature permitting, I pitch my Clarke JH nightly in my back yard and sleep comfortably until it rains, then I go back into the house. :rolleyes: The Clarke JH lends itself to experimental rigging methods, if you like replacing bungee cords and support ropes, "tricking out" your hammock (similar to adding lights, beefier shocks/suspension and bed liners to your pickup trick). I wove a 2' length of cordage thru each gathered end of the hammock bed, tied the cord ends together (Zeppelin bend), and popped a carabiner on, pic: http://hikinghq.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=97&stc=1. Then I replaced the support ropes (three-strand poly) with longer, quality nautical cordage. More modularity is better, I think. And, of course, I added super-long (4') cords to the inboard zipper pulls to facillitate zipping the mosquito netting and weather shield 1/2 way up to reach of hand with my foot. (Too much major moving around in a hammock is unwise.)
When using the Clarke Jungle Hammock, I also incorporate the Hennessy Hammock Lashing Method, but, instead of tying to a tree wrap, I tied to a carabiner, which is must faster and takes only about 20 secs. http://hikinghq.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=99&stc=1
On the Hennessey Hammock, the original supplied tree wraps are fine, and available in various widths and lengths. I bought 25' of 1" black nylon webbing, cut it to desired length, and fuse burned the ends. I added a loop ( just a slip knot with a follow-thru) to each end, and clipped these runners to the anchor trees with a D carabiner, etc.
I have a love-hate relationship with both of these hammocks. Each was conceived and engineered as a somewhat unique and generally original product. Neither product is perfect. Tom Hennessey is an industrial designer, so his products are, as expected, more innovative, cutting edge, and not based on existing or old WWII hammock design. Probably, more sensible, correct, and original thinking went into the design and manufacture of the Hennessey Hammock than into the old school, low-tech Clarke jungle hammock.
The HH was fun at first, I really liked it, but, compared to the CJH, it is just too flimsy, unstable and temperamental for me, probably because I weigh 285 lbs. and am 55 years old. However, I look forward to trying the new insulating and weatherproofing enhancements to the Hennessey hammock. I will use it on hikes because it is light, and relatively fool proof.
The Clarke Jungle Hammock is more traditional design, impossible to tip, warmer, but a lot heavier, less rain resistant, and a more complex affair to rig. The rainfly is difficult (for me) to rig. Rig too loose and you lose the bug-net height and profile. Rig too tight and the cheap bungee cords break (designed that way, like the 50-cent fuse that blows to save the $100 TV) or the connection points tear. The design is 2nd rate and suspect. I don't really want to diddle with a marginal, finicky design of a hammock when I'm hiking miles from home in Hell's half acre or out where Jesus lost his sandals. I want reliability and a bomb-proof design.
Also, I don't use the supplied Clarke Jungle Hammock rainfly, which I regard as another kludge to the overall bad design. Instead I simply attach the toy bungee cords (which add an upper profile) to a 6' length of utility cord http://hikinghq.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=155&stc=1 to the main support ropes on either side. I use Canadian Robert Chisnall's (Canadian climber) adjustable loop on the hammock side, and Blake's Hitch (an arborist slide and grip ascending knot) on the outboard side.
Blake's Hitch Pic #1 http://www.iland.net/~jbritton/blakeshitch.htm Pic #2 http://storrick.cnchost.com/VerticalDevicesPage/Ascender/KnotPages/KnotBlakes.html
But, temperature permitting, I pitch my Clarke JH nightly in my back yard and sleep comfortably until it rains, then I go back into the house. :rolleyes: The Clarke JH lends itself to experimental rigging methods, if you like replacing bungee cords and support ropes, "tricking out" your hammock (similar to adding lights, beefier shocks/suspension and bed liners to your pickup trick). I wove a 2' length of cordage thru each gathered end of the hammock bed, tied the cord ends together (Zeppelin bend), and popped a carabiner on, pic: http://hikinghq.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=97&stc=1. Then I replaced the support ropes (three-strand poly) with longer, quality nautical cordage. More modularity is better, I think. And, of course, I added super-long (4') cords to the inboard zipper pulls to facillitate zipping the mosquito netting and weather shield 1/2 way up to reach of hand with my foot. (Too much major moving around in a hammock is unwise.)
When using the Clarke Jungle Hammock, I also incorporate the Hennessy Hammock Lashing Method, but, instead of tying to a tree wrap, I tied to a carabiner, which is must faster and takes only about 20 secs. http://hikinghq.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=99&stc=1
On the Hennessey Hammock, the original supplied tree wraps are fine, and available in various widths and lengths. I bought 25' of 1" black nylon webbing, cut it to desired length, and fuse burned the ends. I added a loop ( just a slip knot with a follow-thru) to each end, and clipped these runners to the anchor trees with a D carabiner, etc.