Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: 4est Trekker on March 08, 2014, 11:08:37 am
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A few folks asked if I'd post a some pictures of some of my backpacking gear that I've been making lately. So, here's a few of my projects as of late:
Ultralight Backpack:
-4000 cubic inches
-Side compression tensioned with LineLocs
-Removable top pouch with Omnitape closure (has belt loops for using as belt pack)
-Three external pockets
-Double layer bottom
-Uses either my foot pad/sit pad or my 3/4 length Z-Rest pad as the back pad and bag structure
-Fully bound internal seams
-DIY embroidered patch
-Weight (without back pad) is 21.5 oz
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Camping/127eef87afcc2bab0df8394447e71df7_zpsae263d60.jpg) (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/isaacscr/media/Camping/127eef87afcc2bab0df8394447e71df7_zpsae263d60.jpg.html)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Camping/e0a00dc73c329b34651961a846ca5603_zps4c7b577a.jpg) (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/isaacscr/media/Camping/e0a00dc73c329b34651961a846ca5603_zps4c7b577a.jpg.html)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Camping/6e357f28fc0cc92eac9088075992cd23_zps2735e001.jpg) (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/isaacscr/media/Camping/6e357f28fc0cc92eac9088075992cd23_zps2735e001.jpg.html)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Camping/011cd2bd2479a0f3c4edc8e17b407126_zpsb1fc8951.jpg) (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/isaacscr/media/Camping/011cd2bd2479a0f3c4edc8e17b407126_zpsb1fc8951.jpg.html)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Camping/c4d7acfcba56a898ff1c2b5520a2cfbf_zps06c71260.jpg) (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/isaacscr/media/Camping/c4d7acfcba56a898ff1c2b5520a2cfbf_zps06c71260.jpg.html)
Winter Tarp:
This is made specifically for use with hammocks, but works for ground dwelling as well. It's made from 1.1 silnylon and has catenary-cut edges for a taut pitch. I've fitted it with internal poles to provide more room for my bridge hammocks and to create a more rigid structure in wind, rain, snow loads, etc. They also make it a breeze to pitch in porch mode. The "doors" on the ends can be closed in inclement/cold weather or opened up to let it breeze, provide more overhead coverage, etc. Total weight with ridgleline, guy outs, stakes, and stuff sack is 29 oz. The poles weigh 7 oz each. It's a little heavy by my standards, but the peace of mind of provides warrants its place in my pack.
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Camping/f3a039c5abe1272b0dff61a396c61dd6_zps57337379.jpg) (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/isaacscr/media/Camping/f3a039c5abe1272b0dff61a396c61dd6_zps57337379.jpg.html)
Hex Tarp:
This is also made from 1.1 oz silnylon but has removable doors to cut weight in fairer weather/warmer months. It also has an internal pole structure. On both tarps, the poles slide into pockets and are secured at the ridgeline by a length of grosgrain. Total weight for this one, including ridgeline, guyouts, and stakes is 24 oz. Each pole again weighs 7 oz.
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Camping/ec6c16724a3cb3d3fdc62b73a47c1e3b_zps1c427c59.jpg) (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/isaacscr/media/Camping/ec6c16724a3cb3d3fdc62b73a47c1e3b_zps1c427c59.jpg.html)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Camping/bd33ae37e1a2fa5063729a5a139fd239_zps3d8cac8c.jpg) (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/isaacscr/media/Camping/bd33ae37e1a2fa5063729a5a139fd239_zps3d8cac8c.jpg.html)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Camping/6832f303a637f5cdc1e948816673bd70_zpsf3d67718.jpg) (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/isaacscr/media/Camping/6832f303a637f5cdc1e948816673bd70_zpsf3d67718.jpg.html)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Camping/8be6fb6a35593c1b085235c5af2be4bc_zps27d5b6c7.jpg) (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/isaacscr/media/Camping/8be6fb6a35593c1b085235c5af2be4bc_zps27d5b6c7.jpg.html)
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Down Underquilt
This is my winter down underquilt, which goes underneath the hammock to provide insulation. It also converts into a topquilt if needed. It's got just over 3" of loft that has kept me warm down dow -5 F.
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Camping/0c361d80c7a89e0888e5446cb41e754c_zps7b16a45d.jpg) (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/isaacscr/media/Camping/0c361d80c7a89e0888e5446cb41e754c_zps7b16a45d.jpg.html)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Camping/b3d2141967f6fb00dbae3cad05d0b0ae_zpsa0663bdd.jpg) (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/isaacscr/media/Camping/b3d2141967f6fb00dbae3cad05d0b0ae_zpsa0663bdd.jpg.html)
Bridge Hammock
This is one of my bridge hammocks. I use my trekking poles as spreader bars to save weight and bulk in my pack. I've added a couple of gear lofts at each end to keep things up off the ground.
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Camping/c881f4c61663bd7156b100b410bb9b96_zpsb1a7c824.jpg) (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/isaacscr/media/Camping/c881f4c61663bd7156b100b410bb9b96_zpsb1a7c824.jpg.html)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Camping/145fa01ce58bb811fb456bcf57d02d53_zpsd155163d.jpg) (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/isaacscr/media/Camping/145fa01ce58bb811fb456bcf57d02d53_zpsd155163d.jpg.html)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Camping/fa83af7fb61b0bd721237e682791db70_zpscb2a2b9f.jpg) (http://s984.photobucket.com/user/isaacscr/media/Camping/fa83af7fb61b0bd721237e682791db70_zpscb2a2b9f.jpg.html)
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Is there anything you don't do well? ::) Boy, talk about feeling inadequate! ???
Very nice work, 4est. Well done all around.
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Cook, Pat...I can't cook to save my life. I'm working right now on lunch for my kids while momma is out for coffee with her sister...they would concur that this is something I certainly cannot do well. :-\
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Nice looking gear. Great skill set there...No worries on the cooking..They make Beenie Weenies for a reason...LOL
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That is some really nice equipment with great design features and very impressive construction, you have some amazing talent 4est.
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Man, I really love sleeping in a hammock. Was concerned about it when I started having problems with reflux, but scootching the head end up a little higher when tying off to a tree fixed things just nifty.
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That's some pretty impressive gear!
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Wow. That is some very impressive workmanship. Very very cool.
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Man this is some cool stuff ! Hard to believe you made this outstanding work! Do you make these for sale or are you possibly thinking about putting these designs into production? Very nice stuff. We are issued a couple different "Tactical Tailor" packs over here and I sleep in a Kelty sleeping bag when I am out on missions (inadequate btw). This winter here in Afghanistan I found myself in want of a better bag more than once. Would have killed for that one you made !
I swear you would be hard pressed to find a more talented group of people than the ones on this forum!
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Cool work. I can see sewing is a hobby I need to study. The possibilities are endless!
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I have been using a hammock for camping since last summer. I don't have a good tarp for over top it yet. I am just using a standard blue tarp that I string up. I have an ENO hammock and the bug net. I like your weather tarp idea with the internal poles. The lack of width and the constricting feel of a regular hammock make the bridge hammock look inviting. Is there something I can do like that for my regular hammock at least on the shoulder end of it.
Having said that I find the hammock so comfortable that I have been sleeping in it every night for the last 4 months, in the house. Went back to a bed for a night or two and felt like crap in the morning. I slept outside 5 nights this winter in temps down to 5 degrees in just a military mummy bag with a wool liner, with a wool blanket thrown over the top. First winter camping I have ever done.. The wool liner is very constricting and can be a bit claustrophobic if not used to it. The second night of a camping out weekend I woke up at 3 am gasping for breath dreaming that someone had grabbed me around the chest and I couldn't breathe. Couldn't get out of my bag fast enough and it freaked me out. Spent the rest of the night in the cabin. Next night before going to bed I used my knife to open the seams of the wool liner so that I could get my arms out side of it and have been fine since.
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Always nice to see another hammock camper. I made my own, extra long, double layer so I can put a pad in between the layers until I make an under quilt, cheap tarp that is probably inadequate but I rarely get to camp in mine so its no big deal. I don't know why but I will sleep forever in a hammock. Its like entering a time machine: lay down and instantly its 12 hours later.
Your workmanship is superb.
For anyone else reading this that doesn't use a hammock you should check out Shug on youtube.
Patrick
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Very cool work 4est! I have been considering switching to hammock camping for several year but the combo of money for new gear and lack of time to camp has prevented it so far. Very ingenius designs, and I like how you make use of gear more than once to save weight.
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Man, I'm impressed. Wow! Something you learned to do on the internet? How long you been at this craft?
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The workmanship is impressive. I don't think I will ever attempt anything like that but I sure appreiciate seeing the fine work you put into that.
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that is some cool gear!
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Thanks, all :) There is definitely a lot of "fiddle factor" to hammock camping. It's takes time, trial, and error to get your system to work well together, especially at cold temps. It sure makes being in the woods a pretty special experience. Nothing like swaying in the breeze on a warm summer night or huddling down in a pile of downy-goodness when the snow is flying outside your tarp.
Making my own gear is something I've always worked at, but this is the first time I've made any of these items. I got into hammock camping a few years ago but didn't have much early success because I didn't have the money to invest in a proper system. Months of research and discussion over on hammockforums.com as well as tons of experimentation has been worth it.
I agree...if you want to learn the basics of hammocking and be entertained in the process, check out Shug's YouTube channel. You can even catch his video report of his -40F hang this winter. YIKES! :o
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Don't know if I'm ready for hammock camping yet but the fact you built all that gear yourself is impressive. Has to be rewarding hats' off to you sir ;) Hugh
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Very nice gear, another tree dweller ;)