Backpacking In A Belted Plaid - A Question Revisited

[Alan H]

Well, you're right, I didn't look up what a Clark Jungle Hammock is, so I just did and yeah, that's a pretty substantial piece of kit. It wouldn't work for me, because of how I sleep but it might work for someone else, and it absolutely would keep you off of the wet ground after the rain. I also suspect that it would be a noisy nightmare in a decent wind. I hope there's some non-compressible insulation that goes between your rumpus and the hammock nylon, but if there is, and you can beat the wind issue, then the hammock might be a pretty reasonable alternative to a tent. You just gotta have conveniently placed trees!

As for the great kilt taking the place of the rest of it....well, I said that I'd pontificated enough, and I have. So go for it, I'm curious to see your photos and analysis of the experience! I hope it's a great couple of trips and I look forward to the threads..

[Clockwork]

If you sleep flat on your back or side, you can do so in those as well. The trick is laying diagonally in them instead of right down the center. They come with a rain fly, essentially a tarp, which completely envelopes the hammock; in strong wind, you just lower things to within inches of the ground. For insulation, there are 6 large pockets underneath which serve well for this, but you could also get one of those flimsy metallic sun blockers used on car windshields and lay on that. They work better than you might think. And as for the trees or lack thereof, you can lay in it on the ground like a tent; on either end of the hammock are thin rods (each which collapse into smaller parts for packing) which create arches and give its top a rigid shape. I've read that it can be converted into an actual tent somehow with trekking poles, but I've not seen an example of this yet. I do suggest checking one out in person if you ever have the chance, as they are in my opinion very impressive.

A video of possible interest; one of these types of hammocks in a substantial hail storm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-dbFh9c3fo

I do want to say thank you for giving your input on all of this; I take every bit of perspective into consideration.

Cheers,
-Jake

[Kilted Cole]

Clockwork,
go for it buddy! I wore a greatkilt out deer hunting/camping last year. I didnt wear a backpack so cant really talk about that much other than if I had worn a pack, I wouldnt use the hip belt (Infantrymen never do anyway).

I found it to be much more comfortable than pants. I was warmer and could move around soooo much better. I used it as a blanket when I went to bed and as a shawl when standing around the camp fire. It was great!

About the pleats, I have read and believe it to be true that the great kilt wasnt "pleated". To put it on, I hold it against my shoulder with my chin, put my belt on and then pull the inner and outer aprons around to front. Leave the back how it is, not pleats but bunched. I can put it on in this fashion in under a minute and do believe this is how a Highlander would have done it as they werent too concerned with looks anyway.

Okay, I WAS thinking of taking my great and turning it into what I think is called a phille-bag. but now with that advice.......I might just keep it as is. Thanks for such a practical suggestion. I knew there was a reason why I hang around here as my seccond home.

[Father Bill]

Gee, an old Scout Commissioner here... I thought the reason people stopped doing one thing and did something new was because the new thing worked better than the old - more comfortable, easier, healthier, safer...!

[Sir Didymous]

Gee, an old Scout Commissioner here... I thought the reason people stopped doing one thing and did something new was because the new thing worked better than the old - more comfortable, easier, healthier, safer...!

I don't know about that. I've found that a lot of things simply fade from use due to lack of necessity. Modern convenience has a tendancy to change our clothing styles. Look at driving clothing. With the advent of windshields and enclosed cabs, specialized driving clothing went away. Modern coat fashions tend also to be result of things like heated vehicles and the fact that we as people spend little time in places without some form of climate control. I wear my full length black medieval cloak as part of my hiking attire. It serves as a blanket and in some cases a make-shift shelter, plus just a general top layer garment. That's not to say that all old clothing and what have you are superior to modern in terms of roughing it, but I can see where he is going with this. Since the kilt I use the most is a great kilt, I'm interested in his findings.