Hennessy Hammock Expedition A-Sym Zip Hammock

j williams

j williams

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2005
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My lovely wife gave me a Hennesy Expedition A-sym Zip hammock from REI for our Anniversary...I wanted a new hammock for this year, and she went and picked it out for me. Just a fluke she ordered this model, as she didnt know the differance between the Zip, and regular expedition.

Im pretty excited to get out in it, as I love a nice hammock, and this one has zipper entery at the mesh instead of the usually velcro bottom Hennesey does. Also this one has a larger fly then previous versions so it should be fun to see the improvements. :thumbup:

Ill snap some pics when I get out to set it up. Only bummer is I dont think REI sends them with snakeskins like ordering from Hennesey,but I can always pick them up.

Anyways, just wanted to share my excitment. Got to love a women that buys you a hammock. :cool:
 
right on Jake.. let me know how you like it..:thumbup: i wouldn't mind trying one out someday, i think Greg has one...:)
 
I have three of the bottom entry Hennessy's (one is my son's Scout model). I'm really looking forward some pictures of the zippered-side entry. Hennessy hammocks are excellent for what you get and stupid-simple! Snake skins are a must and I actually plan on buying a few more sets for the other hammocks (Speer is one of them).

The only issue with their bottom entry hammock is getting situated with a sleeping pad during colder temperatures. It can be done, but it's a PITA! Side entry is much easier (as on my Warbonnet Blackbird and Mosquito Hammock). Is the side-zip entry a single layered bottom or dual? You'll love the hammock...I actually sleep better in the hammock than I do my bed:eek:

I don't know how much bigger the other fly is, but I've found an extra or larger fly (I'm now using an Equinox 10x12 sil-fly) gives you a lot more working room. If set up separately, you can also put it up first to keep the rest of your hammock/camp set up out of the rain.

You'll love it Jake!

ROCK6
 
I think you'll love it Jake!

Here's a shot of my Expedition Asym. Just picked it up last April and went on a 2 days outing with it in the Cascades (WA). Slept like a baby...of course, the 20 miles hike helped a bit :D

072_MF_15.jpg


Already replaced the polypro suspension on mine with Amsteel Blue whoopie slings...gonna test that today, actually :thumbup: My current setup (hammock, oversize silnylon tarp, tree straps, 23gr carabiners, whoopie slongs, snakeskins) weigh 43 oz. Not "ultra-light" by any means, but a huge load improvement for me, who used to hike with a bulky tent :cool:
 
defaultuser said:
I think you'll love it Jake!

Here's a shot of my Expedition Asym. Just picked it up last April and went on a 2 days outing with it in the Cascades (WA). Slept like a baby...of course, the 20 miles hike helped a bit :D

072_MF_15.jpg


Already replaced the polypro suspension on mine with Amsteel Blue whoopie slings...gonna test that today, actually :thumbup: My current setup (hammock, oversize silnylon tarp, tree straps, 23gr carabiners, whoopie slongs, snakeskins) weigh 43 oz. Not "ultra-light" by any means, but a huge load improvement for me, who used to hike with a bulky tent :cool:
Click to expand...

Hey defaultuser, could you get a better picture of your whoopie slings? I'm actually using the larger Figure-9 tension device for my son's Scout hammock...makes set up very easy for him and these hold is weight easily. I've also upgraded my Speer and Blackbird to use use cinch buckles and webbing to make set up easier.

ROCK6
 
Thanks Guys!! I love hammock camping.

ROCK6, This is a double bottom setup. I was looking at those scout hammocks for my wife. I want her to give it a shot. Shes never slept in one before. I really like the looks of those Warbonnet Blackbirds too...I hear good stuff bout em.

Thanks for all the comments guys.....:thumbup:

I know Ill do some tweaking to the suspension setu on mine as well....No reason why(yet), but I just cant ever seem to leave well enough alone. :D I really wish Snakeskins were a feature included with every hammock(from every source), but its not a biggie. I just like the way it seems to make everything just sort of pop up and down. without anything touching the ground.

Do you guys use a seperate ridgeline for the fly, or use the intergrated one on the hammock? Seems like it might be nice to pack an additional ridgeline just to throw it up for shade or to get out of the rain....
 
ROCK6 said:
Hey defaultuser, could you get a better picture of your whoopie slings?
Click to expand...

Sure; I'm heading out pretty soon and will shoot some pics of my current setup, and detailed pics of the whoopie (and a "nacrabiner" which I'll be testing as well). Stay tuned.
 
ROCK6 said:
The only issue with their bottom entry hammock is getting situated with a sleeping pad during colder temperatures. It can be done, but it's a PITA! Side entry is much easier (as on my Warbonnet Blackbird and Mosquito Hammock). Is the side-zip entry a single layered bottom or dual? You'll love the hammock...I actually sleep better in the hammock than I do my bed:eek:

I don't know how much bigger the other fly is, but I've found an extra or larger fly (I'm now using an Equinox 10x12 sil-fly) gives you a lot more working room. If set up separately, you can also put it up first to keep the rest of your hammock/camp set up out of the rain.

ROCK6
Click to expand...

Completely agree with Rock6. I was actually concerned about the bottom entry and yelled a few curses out trying to get the pad under me. Its about a 30 to 45 second adventure of scooting and schimmying and cursing, but once you get that pad slid under you its all good. I think in the summer I'll just be using a couple of poncho liners, one under and one as a blanket and that is much, much easier to deal with. I'm told you need something underneath to keep the mosquitos from biting through the bottom.

Also agree on the 10x12 tarp. It gives a true full coverage shelter that gives you a pile of room for storing gear under.

Also good idea to bring extra rope for improvising...I had to use additional rope to tie around extra thick trees in one spot where the tree huggers only made it about 1/3 way around them.
 
Just back from the woods; still covered with DEET :D Sorry for the delay, I actually felt asleep in my hammock :eek:

I'm happy to report that the whoopie slings are working like a charm! Easy to setup, VERY quick too. This is a very "elegant" no-knot lightweight solution to hammock suspension. Totally worth the switch in my book.

The "nacrabiner" worked well too; weigh next to nothing, easy and fast to use.

Another experiment was the Hedden sliding friction knot on the whoopie to tie the tarp. Worked perfectly.

Sorry for the bad pics, but here they are. Feel free to email me/post any question.


Whole setup packed; as I said, everything is exactly 43oz:
WholeHammockPacked.jpg


Tree huggers, 23gr carabiners, and my prototype "nacrabiner" (essentially a cord loop tied by a diamond knot, sliced into itself neat the mid point).
TreeStrapsNacraBiners.jpg


Tree hugger setup (with a carabiner):
TreeHugger.jpg


Whoopie sling "permanently" attached to the hammock (spliced locked loop):
WhoopieAttachment.jpg


The buried part of the whoopie sling:
WhoopieBury.jpg


The whole suspension, head side. The small cord on the whoopie is a Hedden knot for the tarp suspension:
Suspension.jpg


The whole hammock:
Hammock.jpg


(continued)
 
(continued)

The hammock without the tarp. Notice how the hammock ridgeline can hold a book; pretty usefull:
HammockNoTarp.jpg


Later I tested the nacrabiner to join the whoopie sling to the tree strap. I didn't fell on the ground so...success!
Nacrabiner.jpg


The knives of the day. That's why I want to shave all those ounces on the hammock: to bring more toys :D:
Knives.jpg
 
defaultuser said:
Just back from the woods; still covered with DEET :D Sorry for the delay, I actually felt asleep in my hammock :eek:

I'm happy to report that the whoopie slings are working like a charm! Easy to setup, VERY quick too. This is a very "elegant" no-knot lightweight solution to hammock suspension. Totally worth the switch in my book.

The "nacrabiner" worked well too; weigh next to nothing, easy and fast to use.

Another experiment was the Hedden sliding friction knot on the whoopie to tie the tarp. Worked perfectly.
Click to expand...

Excellent pictures defaultuser!!! Thanks for taking the time to snap some good pictures of your set up. Wow, there are more ways to set up a hammock than a I thought!!! I'll have to look into woopie-slings. I'm using the same type of carabiner with my multi-looped tree straps. Great looking set up:thumbup:

You bring up another good point for Jake. Make sure you have any sharp edges removed from your pockets or belt before getting into your hammock:D

ROCK6
 
Nice score. It looks like the pressure from all the people buying Warbonnets forced Tom H to start offering a zipper option on his hammocks. I am one of the people who hates the bottom entry, so the zipper option being available from REI is a great move to helping more people stay with hammocks after they try them out.


Nice work on the whoopies and nacrabiners, too - although you might want to link to the relevant hammockforums threads so people have a clue what you're talking about :p
 
Head over to http://www.hammockforums.net

You can spend hours and hours on all kinds of modifications, things you can make and get some outstanding ideas to make your hammocking fun.

They've got some unusual characters and all kind of info. Trust me, you'll love it.
 
thanks for all the info! and pix!

have been doing some research as i really wanna get into the hammock thing
just seems sooo much more practical than tenting
had just about decided on a warbonnet model
based on the side entry
now will take a look again at the hennessy
there were somethings i liked about them better
cepting for the bottom entry

thanks again for the info/pix
 
MustardMan said:
...you might want to link to the relevant hammockforums threads so people have a clue what you're talking about :p
Click to expand...

Did I just look like a geek :eek::o:D

You're right, though...my bad.

Enter here at your OWN RISK; I can't be held responsible for any financial loss :p

Threads on Whoopie slings:
- Whoopie Sling Suspension
- Attaching the Whoopies on a Hennessy Hammock

Thread on the mighty Nacrabiner: Loop Shackles/Connectors

And of course, the great Primer series from "GrizzlyAdams":
Part I - Webbing
Part II - Cord
Part III - Constriction

I should add all of those are quite easy to make, don't require specialised tools (I used a small metal wire from my wife's beading kit), and are fun to make and use :thumbup:

Happy hammocking Jake!
 
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