One thing i miss about my tent.......

[Camper1]

Ok ive got your attention with the title and thanks for the visit but before you unleash all fury on me for such a compromised title just hear me out first....

Firstly, im never going back to tent camping unless i have nothing to hang my hammock on so im not a hammock apostate...no to the contrary im still in the brotherhood and actively converting those dirty tent camping sinners like i used to be lol

Just looking for a few ideas:

When i tent camped it, i had a small environment to not only sleep but also drag my gear into to keep dry and free from all the night critters, bugs, snakes, ants etc but with the hammock its not as simple.

I use a 7mm length of cord for a continuous and independant ridgeline and hang my vertex rain over it as well as some other things from it but my gear can at times weigh a little too much and hanging a full pack is just out of the question.

I have been running another length of cord between two points and hanging my pack up and covering it with my dutch army poncho to keep it dry, as i dont want to hang it touching a tree as critters can get at it still.

At times i arrive at a place at night and with limited options throwing a line over a branch and pulling the pack suspended into the air isnt an option either.

The pack cant stay with me in the hammock as it aint comfy...any thoughts thanks

[annistonfire153]

gear sling?

[Camper1]

gear sling?

whats that?

[BillyBob58]

Oh IMO there's plenty to miss about a tent, just as there are things not to miss. Number one is fool proof wind protection compared to most tarp set ups. Even a small 1 or 2 man tent can be really storm resistant and wind proof, at least once it is set up correctly in the rain . And if you have good drainage and don't get swamped, but wind protection is number one. Of course, with hammocks we usually have better access to sheltered sites, which can make up for no criss crossing tent poles. But not always.


I used to have a 35 sq.ft, 5 lb 2 man 4 season NF hoop tent ( Westwind) that, pitched (low to the ground) right out in the middle of a meadow or on a snow ridge could with stand the most amazing amounts of wind. And I had a couple of 9 lb Walrus 4 season tents- 3 man or 3+ gear or 4 man not sure, but also had room for gear in vestibules - that I could actually lean my body weight on and they would barely flex. I really felt secure in any storm in those, and wind or sideways rain or snow was never an issue. It takes a much bigger tarp to compete with that, and really even then I don't think it competes. I'm always nervous about the "sail" of a big old tarp, and without poles I am always nervous about them really standing up to the wind hitting all of that surface area. ( even though so far so good!)

Then again, even a huge tarp is still going to be way lighter than those tents even when shared by more than one person. ( Westwind = ~ 2.5 lbs per person). And also, my experiences in the wind with the HH Super Shelter, with it's smaller tarp ( less of a sail, catches less wind ) but windproof under cover, have been excellent. But wait a minute! The Explorer UL with tarp weighs 2.5 lbs, so it is actually the same weight as a Westwind used by two. But the HHSS weighs ~ 20 more oz. Course need a pad in the tent, so the weights are about the same. But comfort wise, and not having to sleep in a small tent with a stinking snoring buddy? Priceless, and even worth more weight if it turned out that way!

How about having a stable sheltered dry surface(floor) to place things on, or play cards on in a storm? Sometimes I miss that. So tents are not without their selling points. It's just that, under most conditions the hammock/tarp has more selling points for me. But I guess that is all in the past, I doubt I will be going back. I must admit though that, on one trip to the Wind Rivers, below timberline but so many widowmakers that I was kind of nostalgic for my old Westwind which I could have pitched so easily out in the meadows. Then again, to keep the weight reasonable, I would have had to share it with another adult male, and that would suck now that I am used to a roomy, stand up tarp!

And yep, that gear hammock could help with some gear storage problems.

[Hanginghunter]

This nice little pouch that hangs under the hammock. ENO and some other companies make them. They tie right into the suspension and sit under you to keep your gear in reach and dry.

[Camper1]

This nice little pouch that hangs under the hammock. ENO and some other companies make them. They tie right into the suspension and sit under you to keep your gear in reach and dry.

have you got a link? i'll start searching now ta

[Camper1]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hanginghunter
This nice little pouch that hangs under the hammock. ENO and some other companies make them. They tie right into the suspension and sit under you to keep your gear in reach and dry.

have you got a link? i'll start searching now ta


no need, cheers bud got him, heres a link for anyone else, i'll take a look thanks again

http://www.altrec.com/eagles-nest-ou...lly-gear-sling

[thenate1]

have you got a link? i'll start searching now ta

This is another alternative:

http://www.treklightgear.com/catalog...wing-5p689.htm

[Camper1]

This is another alternative:

http://www.treklightgear.com/catalog...wing-5p689.htm

hey now thats cool! 7oz (198grams) and holds up to 400# (181kg), doubles as a chair...might be the go as it will be kept safe from the elements being directly under my hammock...hmm

[MAD777]

There are several variations on a "gear hammock" which I'm sure will be posted in this thread in response to your question. But I will propose another alternative.

My pack is essentially empty after I have set up my hammock & tarp and have hung my bear bag with all my food, toiletries, bandana, etc. The packs I use weigh from 1.5 pounds to 3 pounds, depending on the outing. I simply hang the empty pack on the end of the hammock knot.

Of course your hiking style may be different than my somewhat spartan style, but it's something for you to consider.