hanging hammock at ground level

[jscalia]

I was just thinking that if the weather is cold enough why not hang the hammock at ground level like a bivy( with no or minimal clearance between hammock and ground) to minimize cooling effect on your back. Of course this technique will eliminate much of the comfort benefits of hanging in the hammock but it still has the benefit of protecting you from insects and the elements. The only additional item you would need for this is some type of ground cover.

[FanaticFringer]

I did that unintentionally one nite when I woke up and my bum was on the ground. It was during warm weather though. I was still fairly comfy.

[headchange4u]

I have also woke up with my butt on the ground, but it was not intentional.

Isn't the whole point of a hammock to get off the ground?

[Dutch]

I have heard of getting close to the ground and putting dried leaves underneath to help stop air flow. I never tried it but I would in a pinch.

[Doctari]

Sounds like something to try at home first. BUT, if it works, that may be a good "survival tip".
I am thinking that it may cancel out the benifits of a underquilt for those of us using them. Once it turns cold tho, I am going to try the lay close to the ground option, maybe even pile up leves as suggested by Dutch.


Doctari.

[slowhike]

last nov i found myself using two trees that were farther apart than i normally use. i was using the 1" polyester webbing from wal-mart & it just couldn't take the strain of that distance. it kept stretching until i touched the ground.
after re tightening it a couple or 3 times, i decided it would break if i kept re-tightening it.so i spent the night w/ part of my weight resting on the ground.
the exped DAM popped a valve & had to be repaired, but fortunantly it held most of it's air till morn.
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ht=shortoff+mt

here's a picture... http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...5/P2180026.JPG
yep, there's a hammock in there. and i slept pretty warm. i think it got into the low 2os w/ a howling wind.

i would keep this in mind... you will need insulation that won't compress where you lay. and the insulation (or something) will need to protect your hammock from abrasion. else. you may soon fall through that hammock

[rhjanes]

I have heard of getting close to the ground and putting dried leaves underneath to help stop air flow. I never tried it but I would in a pinch.

In Machelle's TrailJournals, she reported doing just that. To keep warmer. Hang low to the ground, underquilt off the ground. Put the tarp sides down load, and scoop forest duff up under the bottom of the hammock/underquilt. She reported that it worked great. LNT and respread the duff around when you move on.

[SuperTroll]

I've done that on purpose, minus the ground cover beneath, by using a 9 X 12 nylon tarp (pitched square over a Ridgeline with the ridge on the 9 foot axis, gives you six feet + - of tarp from ridge to ground) like an A frame tent, the sides staked to the ground, leaving the ends exposed to the air.....the larger tarp adds weight, as does any other method of cold weather insulation for a hammock....with care to face the open ends of the tarp cross wind to the prevailing breeze, you cut the airflow beneath. In extreme cold, you could use a plastic sheet or a poncho to close the ends, though I've never had to here in the blessedly warm Southern Winters.

String the Hammock as close to the ridgeline as possible, even this many years into using my hammock, it still stretches.......

Looks like I've hung my hammock in a tube tent when I'm done...and it works well.