Thought I would post this here instead of trip reports to give an idea of camping in an ENO system. This week took my 2 sons and 2 of their friends to Current River, the nation's first National Scenic Riverway in Missouri. We had one large tent but figured I would rather hang than camp with 5 sweaty teenagers. Was concerned about finding the right trees growing on the gravel bar. I've been float camping for 20 years and know you sometimes have to take what's available due to the time of day or the number of people on the river. We ended up taking a somewhat muddy spot across from a cliff we use to jump into the river. Only suitable trees were just a little close together, probably about 12-13 feet. Bug net just fit. I got set up quick so I could help the boys with the tent (all those poles reminded me why I want to hang!). Made the mistake of leaving the bug net unzipped, also could not stake out all the tarp points, had to use trees for some and ground for others. Had a really tough time getting a good lay with the trees so close. Also discovered either the bug net was full of mosquitoes waiting for me or they were biting through the net. Forgot to snug up the exit holes on the net too, guessing the skeeters found this out. My back had welts all over it as did my arms. I used a North Face bag with no pad underneath, did much better when I got in the bag, even the lay felt much better but that had to wait for the temp to drop. Could be because the net was stretched kind of tight against the hammock. Found the Slap Straps to be a big disadvantage here, in fact had to move one to a nearby tree which threw things out of whack with the tarp and net. Needed one more closer loop. I think this will be my last trip with the ENO straps. Near morning the wind picked up and it seemed like a storm was approaching. Guess the trees were moving and I felt at least 2 jolts as the suspension slipped. Took the system down before the rain came so can't comment on how it shed water, but I've been through storms before and the tarp did great. Have to say the system packed really small for river camping and had I been by myself I would have found a much better spot to hang. You compromise looking for flat spots for the tent, hard enough to find a good gravel bar. Everyone was super impressed with the system though, had a lot of floaters admire it. Will warn too, it's really easy to to leave your straps behind, always do one last look around before we leave mostly to get other people's trash and saw my straps still hanging there. Summing up this experience, great potential for the ENO system on the river. But I think the bug treated version or doing this yourself, plus an ideal set of trees, plus closing the zipper when you're not in it, plus something under you will keep the inevitable bites away.
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