Here is how my very first trial went : fine !

Today, the sun is back over Paris area.
So, at the beginning of the afternoon, I took my car and went to look for a cousin. He was home and had some time time to come with me.
We then both headed to the nearset forest (bois de Meudon), south of Paris (I declined to test the HH in the Bois de Boulogne ... no bears to fear, but too dangerous anyway.... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> )
When I took the package out of the car's trunk, my cousin asked : "do you need help ? where is your hammock ????" <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

We selected two trees, about 4m apart and get the hammock out of its stuff sack.

The tree huggers were too short to wrap two times around the trunks, so we just wrap them around once, attached the hammock's lines and then looked at each other.
My cousin : "You sure it's supposed to be that way ?"
I : "well, I guess so ! At least, according to some reviews I have read on the Web and the pix I have seen ...."
Cousin : "O.K. .. who tries first ?..."
I : "I paid for it, so I will try it first ... "
Neither he, nor I (?) were sure such a flimsy structure would resist our weights ...

So, I took my courage in my hand (the left one), and used the right hand to open the entry slit at the bottom of the HH, ..... and sit down INSIDE ........................
And here we go .......

We then concluded it was hanging too low and not enough tensioned.
After some re-arranging, it was quite comfy inside.
As I like to sleep on my side, I tried this position : seems OK.
Well... as this was my first time in such a hammock, I reckon I will need some more trials to find the correct position relative to the ridge line, to find the good angle...
But, had I been alone, I guess I would have took a nap immediately .... But I had to bring the cousin back home, not too late.

Then we tested the rain fly. I decided to mount the extra-large asym 30D silnylon fly I have also bought, and keep the standard fly as a backup (as suggested by a member of this forum).

And then we added the snake-skins.
Rolling correctly the whole stuff, so everything enters the snake-skins is not that difficult and with a bit of practice, I should soon be able to break camp in a few minutes.

Now, I just hope I will have opportunities to use it within the next month, weather permitting....
I don't want to wait next spring .....

Only things I will add/change :
- 2 tent stakes (definitely)
- add some devices at the end of tie-out cords to make it easier to tie them (I'm not that great with knots ...)
- add something to see those tiny cords in the dark (maybe glow-in-the-dark devices...)
- two longer tree huggers (will see with more experience if really necessary)


Did I say I'm quite happy with my purchase ................. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />