Using Trekking Poles For Your Bridge Hammock

If you are anything like me, you are always looking to shed a few pounds from your pack. The problem that I ran into was, my favorite hammock requires me to carry additional poles for setup. Something I've never been to happy about but couldn't get away from because you can't beat the comfort of the Warbonnet Ridge Runner Hammock.  

However, there was a solution to my problem, and one I'm sure would work for almost any bridge style hammock. Warbonnet, sells accessory hardware that lets you turn some trekking poles into bridge bars.   

See below for how this works.  

Mountainsmith Trekker FX Monopod Poles with Warbonnet Hardware on the Head End 

Mountainsmith Trekker FX Monopod Poles with Warbonnet Hardware on the Carbide Tip

I layed my trekking poles along side the poles that came with the hammock. I marked the length of each of the bridge poles on my trekking pole with a little nail polish.  

The foot end. 

The head end.  

My daughter dressed as a cross between Alice in Wonderland and Marty Mcfly. 😀 

My test dummy.  

And here is what she looks like. The rigidity of the poles was great, actually better than I expected. I am extremely happy with how this came out and the reduction to my pack weight. When considering option make sure you have poles that give you access to a threaded screw for a camera mount. You will need to screw one of the bridge accessories on. Hope this helped. 

Warbonnet Blackbird XLC Winter Top

So I opted out of purchasing the winter top cover when I first purchased my Blackbird XLC, and regretted it as soon as I received my hammock.  My first trip out with the Warbonnet Blackbird was in the winter and I had to get creative to trap heat when I was sleeping.  I was in communication with Brandon from Warbonnet Outdoors and asked if it was impossible to order a winter top cover after having already received my Blackbird.  His response, "not impossible".

I was told that depending on when I purchased my XLC would determine if I could add the winter top.  The Blackbird XLC has a continuous zipper that goes around the entire hammock which allows for removal of the bug net and swapping out for the top cover.  These zippers need to be the same make in order for this to be possible.

Removing the bug net and adding the top cover was very easy.  I simply laid it out on the floor of my bedroom and paid notice to where the shelf was located.  Make sure to disconnect the toggles at either end of the hammock before zipping on the top. The zipper is single direction so it's not that confusing.

Watch video below for my initial thoughts.