What makes a successful hammock camping trip?

[mbcruzin]

A bad day camping is better then a good day at the office.

[TATO]

#1 Company
For me #1 would be the quality time me and my son get to share away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Depending on the trip my order of the rest would be as follows

Exploring options
New experiences
Location
Natural protection from the elements
Flora and fauna
Food quality
Ease/Difficulty of terrain
Foul weather bail-out options
Firewood
Weather
Cell phone coverage

[MrClockWork]

Bottom line for me is just getting out. Beyond that is good night sleep, coffee/breakfast from the hammock and somebody to spend the time with. I really enjoy pounding out the miles ever once in awhile.

The trips that I talk about the most are the ones that sucked the most while I was in the middle of it: freezing cold, wet, unprepared, snow in chacos... the list goes on

[Redoleary]

For me I think its:

Location (doesn't need to be exotic just not urban)
Company (if not solo)(or maybe especially if solo)
New Experiences (Adventure quotient)
Weather (I prefer nice, but like to be challenged by the adverse as well) Firewood
Natural protection from elements
Flora and fauna
Exploring options
Ease/difficulty of terrain (as long as I know what to expect I can be prepared for either, and enjoy them both)
Food Quality (my own fault if it sucks)
Foul weather bail out options
Distance to trail head (only a factor given time available, last weekend I drove 6-7 hours one way for a two night getaway)
Cell phone coverage( don't carry one on the trail/water)

[keg]

1) Getting back in one piece.

After that, it's all gravy.


In specific,
New Experiences
Location
Company (or isolation as needed)
Weather

...

The trips that I talk about the most are the ones that sucked the most while I was in the middle of it: freezing cold, wet, unprepared, snow in chacos... the list goes on

+1

[nryche]

Had to think about this one for a while

Location
Exploring options
New Experiences
Distance to trailhead from home
Firewood
Company
Weather
Ease/Difficulty of terrain
Foul weather bail out options
Natural protection from the elements
Food quality
Flora and fauna
Cell phone coverage

Time of year might have a lot to do with the order of things.. At 20 degrees, fire would jump up on my list fast.

[2Questions]

For me what's important on a backpacking trip consists of:

not talking shop on the trip
location where there is a view to sit and watch the sun go down or up...preferably while drinking coffee
food that will make a memory, winter trip stuff like steak, apple dumpling, or sweet potatoes
company that binds new friendships and enhances old ones
the challenge of diverse weather...My job demands I work outside a good bit of the time. If I can work in it, then I can play in it!
Trail diversity...the green tunnel can get boring...this also includes the diversity of smells from hemlocks, pines, mountain streams, and sun warmed rocks.

Way down on the list would be:
total miles of hiking, I enjoy both short and long mileage trips
firewood
ease of terrain
cell phone coverge
natural protection from elements