Back country Camping..

Many of us like to venture into the back country for photo opps. I discovered a lighter and more comfortable way to camp, while there. Some of you may be aware of it, and for the others, I would like to share with you..

Its hammock camping, where you string your hammock between 2 trees, no more hard ground surfaces to conted with. They come with sketter nets to keep you from getting all bit up. In cooler weather you can add an underquilt and a top quilt from down. Additionally you can add a tarp to it by also hanging it above the hammock to keep the wind and rain from effecting you.. The kicker here is the gear is ultra light, compared to conventional camping with tent , sleeping bag, etc..

Here are a couple vids on it...

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=JWlM0pROnpU

http://www.youtube.com …osjmGUy8U&featu​re=related

You may want to vist to learn more..

http://www.hammockforu​ms.net/forum/index.php

Hammocks arn't bad especially as they can double as a chair. They definitely take some getting used to though.

Just make sure it dont get below 50ish or youll freeze your butt off. Used a hammock on a section hike of the AT, and if it drops below 50, even with the hammock bags, its cold! And if you include the weight of the hammock bags
and underquilt, you can pretty much go lighter with light weight tent. Not to mention it can be a pita to make sure your top and under quilts dont get wet, since the warmest ones are down. And ya dont have to worry bout having to find trees. Bald mountains in the smokies = sleeping in hammock on the ground.

That and theres a decent amount of state and national parks that forbid hammock camping. Its pretty much banned in florida.

Dragoro wrote in post #13972504
Just make sure it dont get below 50ish or youll freeze your butt off. Used a hammock on a section hike of the AT, and if it drops below 50, even with the hammock bags, its cold! And if you include the weight of the hammock bags
and underquilt, you can pretty much go lighter with light weight tent. Not to mention it can be a pita to make sure your top and under quilts dont get wet, since the warmest ones are down. And ya dont have to worry bout having to find trees. Bald mountains in the smokies = sleeping in hammock on the ground.

That and theres a decent amount of state and national parks that forbid hammock camping. Its pretty much banned in florida.

Appreciate your comments, check this video, there was a campout this weekend at a state forrest here in Fl hoasted by the park ranger there. So much for banned in Fl.

http://www.youtube.com …feature=player_​embedded#!

Additionally, with the proper gear, and the knowhow to use it properly, folks sleep in 0* without being cold,
Theres no need to get your quilts wet with the right tarp over you..

Sorry your experience wasn't plesasnt. Perhaps you can find some very experiened hangers in your area, that will help you from becoming cold and staying dry.

Bianchi wrote in post #13972864
Additionally, with the proper gear, and the knowhow to use it properly, folks sleep in 0* without being cold,
Theres no need to get your quilts wet with the right tarp over you..

Sorry your experience wasn't plesasnt. Perhaps you can find some very experiened hangers in your area, that will help you from becoming cold and staying dry.

Hammock was ok and fun but to much work to set everything up for my tastes. Than again I always hate playing around with a tarp so thats instantly going to take point away for me. So I still prefer the comfort of a tent, sleeping bag, and mattress (ummm...big agnes blow up. So comfy!!)

Plus the weight of a hammock, tarp, and quilts is no less then a tarp tent, sleeping bag and mattress. But everyone has their own like's and comforts.

Bianchi wrote in post #13972864
Appreciate your comments, check this video, there was a campout this weekend at a state forrest here in Fl hoasted by the park ranger there. So much for banned in Fl.

http://www.youtube.com …feature=player_​embedded#!

Additionally, with the proper gear, and the knowhow to use it properly, folks sleep in 0* without being cold,
Theres no need to get your quilts wet with the right tarp over you..

Sorry your experience wasn't plesasnt. Perhaps you can find some very experiened hangers in your area, that will help you from becoming cold and staying dry.

Oh no, I did fine, I had no problems at all. Everything I said is true though. Its not nearly as easy to keep everything dry as you make it seem though. As for sleeping in 0 degree weather, its definitely lighter to do that in a tent then to carry everything needed to do that in a hammock. A lot less stuff to pack as well. Space is everything when doing extended backpacking, and top and bottom quilts, tarp, hammock combined take up a lot of space, yes even those highly compact ones. And in that cold of weather you need a bag to sleep in as well inside the hammock, which takes up even more space. In warm weather, hammocking is definitely doable for extended trips. For cold weather? not worth the space and weight you have to give up to be able to stay warm at night.

As for it being banned, I said it was pretty much banned. Its by a park by park basis, with the vast majority of them banning them. Just ask on those hammock forums you linked, theres plenty of posts there talking about it.

Differnt strokes for differnt folks, and I can respect that. I am a 3 season camper, no 0* for me. I do find hanging a hammmock and tarp a snap. Additionaly, you can incorporate your quilts with the hammock, so its a 1 step process. I have a ultra light kit, and dont find it heavy, except if I bring camera gear along. But that would be true even with the conventional camping gear.

Most important, what ever your style is, enjoy yourself while out on the trail..

where did you purchase from?

I'm super interested in this now.

I dont know - my tent (Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2), mat (Exped Downmat) and sleeping bag (slumberjack something-or-other 20 degree bag) weigh in around 7.5 lbs. I dont know how much a hammock and all the top/bottom insulation weighs, but it cant be much less.

Im sure the drawback is that my setup cost a boatload more than a decent hammock setup but Ill happily pay what I did and carry the extra lb or two for the level of comfort I get. My dog and I sleep well in the woods in this setup!

nevermind... found them on MEC.

Bianchi wrote in post #13975257
Differnt strokes for differnt folks

HAHA, indeed. I find backpacking a lot like Photography. Different people like different equipment and most people think their's is the best.

Sometime getting into gear talk with Photographer or backpackers can be more dangerous then talking religion or politics

Average weight of a hammock kit.
tarp MacCat Ultra - 144"×104"15.4 oz (435 g)$130.00 12.3 oz (350 g)$195.00 depends how much you want to spend.
Hammock Wilderness Logic, a Snipe Total Pack Weight 18.5 oz Thats With Tree Hugger Straps & Whoopie Slings $100
TOP QUILT Hammock gear The 3-Season Burrow is a hybrid sleeping bag for hammocks, rated down to 20*F and weighing in at only 21 ounces, 12 ounces of 900 fill-power $229
UNDER QUILT The ULTIMATE underquilt for freezing weather... A full 12 oz of high quality goose down, the 20*F Incubator provides unrivalled insulation to keep your back-side toasty all night long. Shoulder Protection to 20* (12* below freezing!) and only 22.5 oz packed! $239

TARP 15.4 OZ OR 12.3OZ
HAMMOCK 18.5 OZ
TOP QUILT 21 OZ
UNDER QUILT 22.5 OZ

gremlin75 wrote in post #13978105
HAHA, indeed. I find backpacking a lot like Photography. Different people like different equipment and most people think their's is the best.

Sometime getting into gear talk with Photographer or backpackers can be more dangerous then talking religion or politics

Why do you say that, if you like one system over another, thats fine with me. I have absolutely no issues what so ever as to type of system one likes My purpose for the thread was merely to bring awareness to hammock camping.

As I said previously, it about getting out on the trail and enjoying ones self, despite what system or how much weight one is over the other and one is willing to carry.. Have fun !!!

MNUplander wrote in post #13977790
I dont know - my tent (Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2), mat (Exped Downmat) and sleeping bag (slumberjack something-or-other 20 degree bag) weigh in around 7.5 lbs. I dont know how much a hammock and all the top/bottom insulation weighs, but it cant be much less.

Im sure the drawback is that my setup cost a boatload more than a decent hammock setup but Ill happily pay what I did and carry the extra lb or two for the level of comfort I get. My dog and I sleep well in the woods in this setup!

Check out how this fellow added a hammock to his hammock, just for his dog

http://www.hammockforu​ms.net/gallery/showima​ge.php?i=7391

Bianchi wrote in post #13978385
Why do you say that, if you like one system over another, thats fine with me. I have absolutely no issues what so ever as to type of system one likes My purpose for the thread was merely to bring awareness to hammock camping.

As I said previously, it about getting out on the trail and enjoying ones self, despite what system or how much weight one is over the other and one is willing to carry.. Have fun !!!

Sorry I wasn't saying you are that way.In fact you seem to be just the opposite. I was just saying in general photog's and backpackers share the "my gear is better and heres why" thinking sometimes.....well at least the gear junkies do

Bianchi wrote in post #13978444
Check out how this fellow added a hammock to his hammock, just for his dog

http://www.hammockforu​ms.net/gallery/showima​ge.php?i=7391

HAHA, now that is simply awesome!

Bianchi wrote in post #13978309
TOP QUILT Hammock gear The 3-Season Burrow is a hybrid sleeping bag for hammocks, rated down to 20*F and weighing in at only 21 ounces, 12 ounces of 900 fill-power $229
UNDER QUILT The ULTIMATE underquilt for freezing weather... A full 12 oz of high quality goose down, the 20*F Incubator provides unrivalled insulation to keep your back-side toasty all night long. Shoulder Protection to 20* (12* below freezing!) and only 22.5 oz packed! $239

My buddies just uses his regular sleeping bag in his hammock