Letters S
Dear Tom,
Thirty years ago I built and lived in a treehouse 85 feet high,(actually measured with a tape-measure), near my school, the University of California at Santa Cruz, but stopped camping shortly thereafter. Recently, I saw a picture of your hammock and became inspired to start hitting the woods again. I simply cannot express how grateful I feel to you for being a big part of returning me to this simple and wonderful pleasure. Over the last year I have camped in many exciting places, but, as you can see below, Lake Aloha, Desolation Wilderness, CA. was probably the most picturesque... Your hammock never ceases to amaze me; it is literally like magic.

Thanks again,
Mark

We have received wonderful letters and also poetry:

Suspended in silence

under trees, over roots
I float
below sky, above ground
I rest
beneath stars, beyond earth
I sleep
suspended in silence,
I dream.

This poem by Andre Corterier was found at the end of his Explorer Ultralight owner review at backpackgeartest.org.

Hennessy, my sweet Hennessy
Away from you, I pine for thee
I miss the rest that rouses me
To write you songs and poetry

No more for me the beds of past
The one just tossed will be my last
There is no doubt, the die is cast
The change of plan came awfully fast

No more for me a normal life
With dog and cat and lovely wife
And all the noise and all the strife
Where beds are hard and crime is rife

I’m off to countries far away
Where all day long I get to play
And when night falls I get to stay
Inside my nest, to sweep and sway

So that is how it came to be
That now, though old, I am quite free
From sleepless nights and agony
Thanks to my blissful Hennessy. -J.C.

Hammock Haiku

“With breath of wind blowing through branches,
hopes again of sun and storms,
- good winds for your travels.”

Given the crazy prices of housing in New England right now I am unable to afford a residence near where I work. As a result I have given up the rental condo I was living in, and I have secretly moved into my office. Every evening I leave work at 5:00 like everyone else, however, later that night, I sneak back into my office and set up my Hennessy Hammock between the main vertical beams and sleep soundly till dawn whereupon I take the hammock down and get back to work. it's saving me money, it's good for the environment since I don't have to commute, plus I can be the "first in at the office every day" which my company finds commendable. Everybody wins! Thanks for a unique product. (Please keep this E-mail anonymous, I've got a good thing going and don't want the 'others' to catching on. Thanks.)

I jut wanted to write and tell you how pleased I am with the purchase of my new Hennessy Hammock. I purchased an Explorer Deluxe hammock, snake skins, and the automatic fly tensioner and water collecting system. After sleeping in my hammock for only one night. I was so happy with the purchase that I bought my 16 year old one as well. We took the hammocks backpacking in the Bear Tooth Pass region in southern Montana as well as in the backpacking country at Yellowstone National Park. The snakeskins made setting up and taking down the hammock a breeze. The first night out I was sold on the automatic fly tensioner and water collecting system. When I set up the hammock I screwed an empty 2 l. Platypus water bladder to each of the funnel-like collectors. That evening we had a mild to moderate amont of rain for no more than 20 minutes and i ended up 4 l. of fresh water. It sure made water collecting a lot easier than filtering it and purifying it from a stream.

Prior to purchasing my hammock from Hennessy Hammock, i did some research on the internet and read that some people had experienced difficulty in trying to keep an inflated sleeping pd under their sleeping bag while in the hammock. My Big Agnes sleeping bag completely eliminated any problem trying to stay on the sleeping pad by incorporating the sleeping pad into a sleeve on the bottom side of the sleeping bag. The combination of the Hennessy Hammock and the Big Agnes sleeping bag and pad provided me with a very comfortable and toasty night's sleep while the temperature dipped to about 30* Fahrenheit.

Thanks once again for your tremendous products...Chris Crowe, MD, Fargo, ND

Hello, I received my Hennessy Hammock about a month ago. It really got a work out on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. I slept every night (12 nights in total) in my hammock and can give you nothing but praise. Sleeping in the shelters would be agony on my bony shoulders and hips. To stretch out and turn over in your hammocks was heaven. Plus the added bonus of being protected from the bugs and rain helped immeasurably! Just wanted to say "Thanks" for designing a great product, it made hiking on the trail a lot easier...Jamie Brewer

Would you believe this? Yellowstone Elk tries to eat Hennessy Hammock! Yup, I saw it with my own eyes a few days ago. There was a young, female elk going through our Madison campground early in the morning. One of your hammocks was in its path. Repeatedly it tried to "taste" the fabric. And repeatedly, all that happened is that it slipped out of its mouth. Unfortunately, my camera was not available, so I didn't catch the moment. I finally shouted at the elk, clapped my hands, and it backed off (scowling, I think) and kept moving through the campground. On inspection, I discovered the hammock was one of yours and that it was fully intact with absolutely no damage. An amazing, weird tale...Marshall Karon

Hello! I just finished an incredibly successful two week trip through the mountains and coasts of Shikoku, Japan, and I'd like to take this chance to thank everybody in this message group. My Hammock(HH ulasym) became much more than just a shelter at the end of a day. It rocked me to sleep, provided a writing chair, and not to mention quick escape from rain(and rain there was. Everything from a happy sun shower to gumball size drops of water). It was such a breeze setting up everytime, that I no longer had to look for camp two hours before sundown like I usually like to. I was so excited the first few times I used it before I set out, and was sure that the novelty would wear off once I had to do a rain setup after a 30 km day, but I found myself actually looking forward to pitching the hammock and making camp - half the fun of this shelter is working it into a desired space. I'm so used to using a tent that I just figured that the old square peg and round hole rule would apply with the hammock as well. To my delight, the hammock seems to operate more like a fluid than a solid - it will pretty much just conform to any place you can string it up (and I was afraid this would be a probem - but once you figure out how much distance you need, potential hammock 'anchors' are everywhere) and rock you gently to sleep OFF THE GROUND! Once again thank you to all who have posted, asked questions, answered questions, and especially those who have speculated about hammock possibilities. I think that my mobility has almost doubled with this shelter, while cutting my shelter weight in half!...Everett=

Just thought I'd like to let you know how great my experience with your hammock has been...I've spent over 60 nights in it so far since this summer when I got my hands on the hammock. Took the hammock on a 30 day wilderness kayak expedition and the novel design allowed us(as we all had your hammocks) to be equally novel in our choice of camping spots. I don't think the trip would have been nearly as easy or even possible using a conventional tent. Who wants to be a ground dweller anyways.

So, from over streams in densely packed forest to cliff-side sunset lookouts, to the foreshore feet from raging tidal rapids, the Hennessy Hammock provided the same incredible comfort every night. With the hex fly we slept through the strongest gales the Johnstone Straight wind tunnel could go through our way. On the clear nights we watched the stars and universe unfold right before us.

I am totally sold on the idea of hammock camping and truly there is no better, quicker, more comfortable way to sleep from the ocean front to subalpine. I guess tree-dwelling as we call it now is the lifestyle of the bachelor as I haven't found how to bring girls back to the hammock yet. Maybe I should try your two person hammock for that.

Anyways, love the hammock and have raved about them the entire way up the coast and all my friends certainly know about my crazy hammock dwelling habit. ..............................................Justin Finn

Dear Hennessy Hammocks
I've been sleeping in my tent all summer, but was getting sore places, hips and back, from the hard ground, even with two sleeping mats under me. I am so comfy in the hammock! I have slept in it every night since getting it and LOVE it. (I live in the mountains near Port Angeles, WA and sleep outside 3 seasons.) I've never slept so good, no pressure points or sore back. I use my 20 degree Marmot sleeping bag. I do not get cold at all, even when it is quite windy. I feel like I'm floating in a cloud in the trees. I've also been telling all my hiking friends about it. Great job, Mr. Hennessey! - Julie Silveria

We do a lot of backpacking/hiking/kayaking in the NC/TN/GA mtns. Unbelievable, but true tale about the Hennessy...while at Stratton Bald in the Citico/Joyce Kilmer/Slickrock Wilderness Area over the weekend, on top of the mtn, at 5400 ft., at least 20 miles from nowhere, we set up camp (including the Hennessy).  Thunderstorms were on the way..while sitting around the camp by the fire, rain starts pouring....we look beyond the campfire to the Hennessy hammock with tarp, and standing beneath, out of the weather is nothing other than a feral peacock....something unexpected, and unknown round these wild mountainous ranges.  Attached a snapshot, thought it might bring a smile. - Gretchen Kirkland

Hi Y'All

We've been using an Explorer UL Asym and BP UL Asym during our wilderness patrols in Olympic and Mt. Rainier National Parks this summer - great great products. Approximately 100 folks including rangers and guided NOLS and REI groups have got our use and set up demos...We've slept in the hammoks at least 65 times and have enjoyed restful, quiet, mouse free sleep and gentle contact close up with elk (12 ft) and a spotted owl(30 ft.)...Keep doing what you're doing it, it's great - Bob and Jeri

FYI- I received your hammock as a gift and finally had a chance to use it this weekend. We went down the lower Deschutes River on a Steelhead fishing trip. Most of the camp sites have trees(shade) along the river so setting it up was no problem. The unique entry worked perfectly, but the best part was the comfort and openess due to the bug netting. I got to see Mars through the screening and woke without the backache I went to bed with. Perfect for snake protection and doesn't require or compete for the few flat spots available in these campsites. Thanks, and keep up the good work. - Burr Richards

- New Zealand's Lake Wakatipu and Remarkable Mountains.

Hey Tom 
You won't remember me...I'm one of those customers that will complain when needed but will speak words of praise where it is due.I just thought I would give you some feedback on your product. I bought your hammock before going on my fruit picking/bike packing tour of Europe. That was over a year and a half ago and I have slept in your hammock for most of it. I have to tell you that it has served me well and still has no faults...it is as I bought it. It has gained me a lot of attention from people and perhaps you have sold a few more becuase of this...I hope so. I still go to sleep every night knowing that i will sleep like a baby...with no aches and pains in the morning. I have slung it between football goal posts...from barn rafters...everywhere you can think of. Minimum temprature -7 with a standard roll matt and cheap sleeping bag. I cannot think how you could improve your design...its perfect! Many thanks for a Fantastic product. - Greg Miller + Pippa Moxham

I love your hammock. I used it during a 4 hour thunderstorm, and I stayed dry while my friend in a tent pretty much had a creek running under him. He is now very interested in your hammock. Thanks - Noah Kennedy

Tom, I just wanted to thank you for an outstanding product!!!  I just returned from a canoe camping trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of Minnesota and utilized the Expedition A-sym that I had purchased from you this past spring.  Your supershelter is exactly that - a super shelter.  While providing a great night's sleep throughout my trip, the hammock was put to a test in the final night of our trip.  A severe wind and rain storm struck our campsite, but I stayed completely dry within my a-sym.  Anticipating that the night air would be the coldest of our trip, I had clipped the rain fly to the side pull-outs of the hammock in hopes of containing some heat from my body.  Had I not done this, when the surprise storm hit, the rain fly would have been flapping in the wind and I would have been scrambling in a downpour.  Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good.
Additionally, to protect from the cold, I had purchased a folding stadium seat cushion that included an extension for additional padding.  When unfolded, this performed as a sleeping pad that extended from my shoulders to mid-calf.  By duct taping the plastic clasps of side adjustment straps to the seat cushion, I was able to eliminate the possibility of them puncturing the hammock and the pad provided the insulation needed from the cold and wind.
Thank you, again, for a great product.  I have suggested to all of my camping friends that they strongly consider the Hennessey Hammock. - Roger A. Kilmer

Recent letter posted at whiteblaze.net (Appalachian Trail forum)

"I LOVE THIS HAMMOCK!! It is so roomy and comfortable. I have been in it during torrential rain and come out as dry as a bone. It is designed to have a "flat" bottom versus curved. I can sleep 3/4 of the way on my stomach. When it rains NO wet tent to carry as only the fly gets wet and dries in in seconds. LOVE IT - LOVE IT - LOVE IT!

Hello Tom

First off I have to say that I love my hammock!!! The people down here are starting to call me the "Hammock Evangelist". I tell them to burn their tents and go get a hammock. I took both of my tents back to the store. Your hammock shelter is the only thing I use now. I tell the local gear stores that they are crazy not to carry these in their stores. All of the people that I go hiking with all kind of give me that raised eyebrow look when I start putting my hammock up. Then they slowly start to come over and check it out (still a little skeptical). Then I tell them all about it and how good I sleep and that I don't even use my .........(mattress name deleted). Then I tell them to get in it. And once they lay down in it......it's all over from there. From that point they are hooked. I have so many friends who after trying my hammock have rushed out to get theirs for the next trip. I just laugh...Now we're all hiking at a good pace so we can get to camp and get the best spots to hang from. Brandon

Hi Ann

Just thought you'd like to know that at remote Kalalau Beach on Kauai at the end of a tough 11-mile trail which is essentially the only way in, there were six Hennessy Hammocks there last week (I just returned). And that was about 1/2 of the shelters there.

I had one. I lent one to my partner. Another member of my hiking club who happened to be there had one and he'd talked two of his friends who came into getting them, too. Another woman down the beach had one, as well, and she found it through an Internet search for lightweight shelters.

You're taking over the backpacking world, and deservedly so!

B.S.

Here is something you might want to consider before buying one. (No, I'm not getting paid to say this!) It's possible you won't like the H H, but I'll bet if you ask other owners they would say the same.

Think of all the gear you own and let say you have to trade it for another brand. I like my N.B. 803's but I could be happy with Nikes I'm sure. I like my Camp Trails Lobo pack but would trade it in a heartbeat. I like my Bucklight but would trade it for another similar knife. I love my Photon II so much, but if I lost it, I would replace it with a CMG Q4 mini task light or other similar lights without much thought.

Now then… I won't trade my H H for another shelter because I sleep so much better with it and come home rested instead of worn out. I guess what I'm saying is get yourself a H H (the Ultra-Light if you want a really light shelter) and if you don't like it, I'll buy it from you — half price of course (used once.)

Coy Boy

Hey Tom

My name is Mike Gross and and I spoke to you about my hammock in the fall of 1999 before I left for a three month camping trip to Costa Rica. The trip was fantastic and I loved sleeping in my hammock! It took a couple of days  to really figure out how to tie it to be the most comfortable but after that, no problems.

We ended up staying in Central America for five months and I slept in my hammock in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala! I used it in campgrounds, on beaches, in trees (literally in one) and also in hotel rooms when they were cramped or the beds weren't comfortable. I showed off your hammock to travelers from all around the world (yes, they got your e-mail) who kept coming to talk to the gringo about the weird body bag he was sleeping in!

I just checked out your new models for this year, I really like the addition of a full Velcro closure. That was a problem in some really buggy parts, I always left my pack in the hammock when I wasn't in it and that helped a bit. Unfortunately, no pictures of the hammock really turned out. My camera broke when I got to Costa Rica and I had to pick up a cheap-o that didn't take the best shots, and to top it all off, in the last week of my trip I ran out of cash due to my overstay and a slight miscalculation of funds. Guess which piece of gear sold first? Sad story but the guy who got it was really excited and was going to take it off on another adventure.

Congratulations! After five months of me abusing my hammock there wasn't a stitch out of place! I plan on buying another before I try anything big like this again, and the yellow one is looking pretty cool. Thanks Tom!

Mike Gross

Hello, I just bought one of your hammocks from MEC, took it into the park to try it on a rainy night...excellent! Most of my back country travel is solo (with my dog) in a bivy bag, while the bivy is excellent in winter it is not ideal for summer use. It opens from the top so rain falls straight onto my sleeping bag whenever I enter or exit, summer travel is complicated by the extensive bush around BC (flat, comfy campsites can be hard to come by), sudden rainfall can fill a dry campsite with rivulets. The hammock solves all these problems. I am taking it to Australia/Indonesia with me this December. Good luck with your sales.

Murray Comley

Tom, I love your hammock. I take it with me on every hike or bike ride, just in case I want to crash for the night.

I once spent an entire day in the hammock, just daydreaming, reading, and looking up at the swaying trees above. I can't wait for the two person model!

Daniel Chauvin, Sooke, BC

Hi!

I read your story on your website...good for you!  I love to hear of enterprising, successful people such as yourself!  And what a great product!

I'm in Vancouver, B.C., and I saw your hammock in the new MEC catalogue.  I knew it was for me!  You see, I am a total "city person", but I bought some property up north, and have stayed there in a tent the last few summers I dragged my husband up there.  The sounds of night time scurrying, rustling, and footsteps (little paws? big paws?!) on the other side of an opaque tent wall was enough one memorable night to send us high tailing it to the closest hotel.  Well, I am thrilled to see that your product has a screen that will both protect me AND let me see what kind of monster is coming to get me in the night!  Yes, an overactive imagination coupled with lying on the ground had almost scared me out of ever visiting my property again!   I guess it's the control freak in me that likes to be up at the height of a normal human at all times (yes, I drive a "high up" 4X4 SUV!) AND see all that is going on around me. I am heading up to my property this May long weekend, alone. Your hammock (along with my night vision monocular! City-person-with-lots-of-gadgets-in-the-wilderness syndrome?!) has made me actually excited about spending my nights outside!  You see, I can use my night vision monocular through your ingenious mosquito netting, while keeping a safe, butt-off-the-ground position, all the while scanning for critters!  (F.Y.I.: There's nothing worse than having to crawl out of a sleeping bag, figure out which way to unzip the tent, and crawl out on all fours to see what is coming for you!)

I will send you a picture of my little perch in my paradise!  Until then, my hammock has been unfolded and refolded in our little living room, and I dozed on the couch late last night with the hammock draped over me...it has a very comforting air about it! It is currently tucked beside my bed, as I dream of my first night with it!

S. R.

S. R. here — I am the one that took my hammock up to my island in Stuart Lake.  Well let me tell you… it was the most comfortable sleep I have had up there yet!  The May long weekend had the most awful, gusting winds I have EVER been in.  I'm  not kidding, some of the gusts sounded like hurricane force!  All that happened was the hammock swayed a bit!  The fly above it, however, sounded like it wanted to take off to the heavens, so I took both my axes, (yes, I AM prepared!) and hung each one over the ties holding the fly to the ground.  And boy, did that work!   I have a picture I will send you of my hammock the next morning.  It had "relaxed" a little from the tree, and with the sun shining on it as it hung between the trees on my favorite part of my island, it looks very magical!

I just wanted you to know that I had a winter sleeping bag in it, my gun, my night vision goggles, two layers of fleece, my toque, my head lamp, etc. and even though I had to get out THREE times to retie the fly, and once to visit the loo, I didn't have any trouble getting in and out easily...amazing! I did think it would be a lot of work, so the first time I waited quite a while, but after that, I didn't hesitate to get out to retie things. I'm not kidding, the wind was so bad, my old trapper friends at the base of the lake woke up to the gusts of wind and were actually quite worried about me! And do you know, even after its maniacal flapping, the tent fly looks brand new! I was amazed that it didn't "fly" away!

Would you ever put poles in for the fly? I assume the fly should be quite close to the hammock, and if it is tied wider, the wind tries to kill it...! Other than that, the hammock was awesome! Oh, and I got my cabin built!

Bye for now! — S. R

Thought you might like some feedback.  I bought one of you hammocks last year, the updated version, green with charcoal bottom and finally got a chance to use it. I've been backpacking since childhood and after using your hammock, have pretty much vowed to not mess with tents anymore!  As long as I have two stationary objects (not necessarily trees!), I have a home for the night. Comfortable, light, and warm. I've been able to cut my pack weight by 4.6 lbs. which can be a life saver. Hammock quality is better than mil spec. Thanks for making a wonderful product!

About me:
My wife, I, and two kids manage a nature preserve and two girl scout troops here in De Soto, Texas.

P. D.
Desoto Texas

Just wanted to send you a copy of the review I posted on several backpacking websites and also give you one more "at-a-boy" for a great product. This hammock really made my trip enjoyable and comfortable.

Thanks — Joe La Rocque

Hennessey Hammock

At first I was rather skeptical of a backpacking hammock, having tried the net types in the Army I found them uncomfortable and too cold. My first 5 nights in the Hennessey Hammock were delightful, most relaxing nights of sleep I have had in the backcountry in many years. This along with ease of use, lightweight, and great workmanship will place this item on the top of my list of favorites.

Use of the hammock was so quick and simple that on some rest breaks I would set it up to really relax. On one evening I made camp late and even without the perfect pitch I was still comfortable all night. I did add a couple tent stakes to help with keeping the side tied out so I didn't have to look for rocks to tie off to.

This shelter is lightweight. At 2 pounds, it beats every tent I have ever owned. I was able to leave my sleeping pad at home to save additional weight.

When looking at the web site I couldn't get a feel for how the hammock was made. So when I found out REI carried them I ran right over to see it. Everything about this hammock is quality.

I don't feel there is a better hammock out there. I can't wait to see the double model Hennessey is working on, and neither can my wife!