Do you feel superior in any kind of way over those who grovel on the ground?

[MedicineMan]

I'm not talking about bragging type superiority; I mean we would never look a a ground dweller and say 'man that's gotta suck crawling through the mud to get in your tent', but deep inside don't you feel like you are above the fray, that somehow your soul is liberated ever time you setup and crawl into the 'mock?
Or are you in the 'I pity them' crowd?
Or maybe the 'My God can't they pull themselves up!' crowd.
.....just saying

[angrysparrow]

.....just saying

I don't feel any superiority, per se. I'm just more comfortable than I used to be, and I like that.

[Cannibal]

I would choose the word "liberated" as opposed to "superior". But yeah, I get where you're coming from and agree.

[lori]

I'll admit I get a little defensive when people don't respect my choice to hammock and sort of mock it - and I do tend to give the mocking folk a raised eyebrow when they complain about bugs, water, the slight incline they didn't notice pitching the tent on.... The rest of 'em can sleep where they want, I won't mind a bit. Specially if those ideally spaced trees are in just the right spot and I'm the only hammock.

[Knotty]

Nope. Just made a different choice than them.

[Rug]

Yes.
But also sadness. Happy that I have found a better way (and knew it the instant I saw it). But sad that simple simians that surround me have yet to take to something better when it is staring them in the face.
And I feel the same about MS Windows (and Mac) vs. Linux/BSD
Standard upright bikes vs. recumbents
Watching TV vs reading
Cable/Sat. TV bills vs OTA & Internet
Cell Phone contracts vs SIP accounts and free data access
Incandescent bulbs vs home-made LED setups
and soon:
Being dependent on the grid for electricity vs Wind Turbine & Solar

[HitchHiking]

I do both depending on the area I happen to find myself in. I.E. Alpine, desert, snowfield etc. I appreciate the "UPS" and the "DOWNS" and do not think I am "HIGHER" or "LOWER" I do things right I am comfortable either way..... But hammocks rock.

[GrizzlyAdams]

my preference for being out in the woods, is waaayyyy out in the woods. Carrying the needful along, and hopefully only the needful. If I roll into a area where there are other backpackers, chances are that we share more than we differ. We've chosen to be away from the bustle of "civilized" life. Presumably we all appreciate the challenge of the hike. Chances are that we share interests in stoves and sleeping bags and packs and poles, in cooking styles. Lots of common ground, chances to learn and see other gear. Sure there are sometimes gear snobs, those for whom the Hike-Your-Own-Hike philosophy hasn't really taken root. But hey, if they are happy carrying a tent and are comfortable on the ground, who am I look down on them? Now if they aren't comfortable on the ground they might be interested in this hammock thing, and we can talk about that. Hanging is not necessarily for everyone (says the life-mate of one who Will Not Sleep in a hammock….)

[Just Jeff]

Not superior...I just wish I could tell them how much better my nights in the woods are now. (Is that pity?) I usually just keep my mouth shut until they ask...and they generally do.

[Hawk-eye]

my preference for being out in the woods, is waaayyyy out in the woods. Carrying the needful along, and hopefully only the needful. If I roll into a area where there are other backpackers, chances are that we share more than we differ. We've chosen to be away from the bustle of "civilized" life. Presumably we all appreciate the challenge of the hike. Chances are that we share interests in stoves and sleeping bags and packs and poles, in cooking styles. Lots of common ground, chances to learn and see other gear. Sure there are sometimes gear snobs, those for whom the Hike-Your-Own-Hike philosophy hasn't really taken root. But hey, if they are happy carrying a tent and are comfortable on the ground, who am I look down on them? Now if they aren't comfortable on the ground they might be interested in this hammock thing, and we can talk about that. Hanging is not necessarily for everyone (says the life-mate of one who Will Not Sleep in a hammock….)

What he said!