how to keep your pack dry?

[skyclad]

I was out recently in what we west Texans call a "turd floater". It rained pretty hard all night and was windy too, and I had a hard time keeping my pack and its contents out of the rain and off the soggy ground. Is there some way to rig your pack up to keep it off the ground and underneath the rain fly? How is that done, exactly?

I feel sure some of the geniuses here at HF have this problem whipped already. But, seeing as how our annual rainfall is under 15", it's not in my realm of experience. I just need a little know-how!

thanks,
sky

[Roadtorque]

I dont really worry about keeping it off the ground. I put a Just Jeff/JRB pack cover http://www.jacksrbetter.com/JGHPC.htm on my pack and place it under the tarp on the ground. Works well so far.

[UncleMJM]

I dont really worry about keeping it off the ground. I put a Just Jeff/JRB pack cover http://www.jacksrbetter.com/JGHPC.htm on my pack and place it under the tarp on the ground. Works well so far.

+ 1 on the gear hammock/pack cover

My other choice is hanging my pack at my foot end suspension under the tarp.

[lori]

I've clipped my pack to the suspension of the hammock with a carabiner. If you have a pack that weighs more than 3 lbs empty that may not be ideal, however.

A gear hammock/pack cover works well - I've also used my poncho or a trash bag as a drop cloth right under the hammock.

[Triptease]

I've clipped my pack to the suspension of the hammock with a carabiner. If you have a pack that weighs more than 3 lbs empty that may not be ideal, however.

This...

I have a ULA Ohm and when I am in camp it is empty (or very close to it) so I take a S-biner and clip one end to the lift strap and the other to the hammock suspension leading to the tree. It keeps it off the ground and under the tarp so it stays dry. If the rain blows, I can either use my ZPacks cuben pack cover to protect it or use the trash compactor bag that I use inside my pack to put the pack in and use that to keep it dry. This method hasn't failed me yet! Bonus is that the pack acts as a nice wind break if you need it, just attach it to the end that the wind may be coming in and it blocks it enough to keep it from hitting you directly.

[Krissa]

I have never hammock camped but I do backpack. I tried garbage bags and alway ended up ripping one. I hate pack covers so I purchased one of those HUGE ziplock bags and use it to line the inside of the backpack with it. I place my gear inside and zip it up. Then I just place it on the ground tarp.

The ziplock bags are pretty heavy duty, no rips in them yet from tent poles or stakes. They are even big enough to protect my hubby's larger pack - I can't remember how many liters it carries off my head.

[Rug]

2 options:

1) Gear hammock, to hang under your hammock and therefor under your tarp.
2) A big enough tarp, so that when pack is attached to your suspension lines, the pack stays protected from the tarp.

[fishike]

I do two things...

1. I cover my pack with my pack cover and store it upside down. So the pack cover is on the ground and my shoulder straps are up in the air.

2. I also carry a small piece of tyvek or painters plastic to use as almost an area rug. It also helps keep your feet clean.

[skyclad]

I suppose you could put it in a garbage bag and tie it up then set it with the gathered part on the ground. I have used a pack cover, but my experience is it's a PITA to stop and take the cover off to get into your pack, and they leak around the shoulder/hip straps. What about some tubular strap and a couple of biners tied to the hammock ends? Depending on what's in your pack that would add 20-30 lbs to your hang weight. Less if you're food is in a tree somewhere. Something to ponder on.

The JRB cover looks promising. How could I attach that to my BlackBird?

Anybody tried the Packa? What's the verdict on that?
sky

[Bradley]

I have been loking at this post and wondering . . .

as I can't recall a pack trip where it rained . . .

I always just hang my pack in a tree . . .

. . . but now as I am getting out in all weather
I will use a pack cover or garbage bag, as it hangs in a tree