Emergency ground dwelling...

[burtonator]

Hey gang.

I'm trying to figure out a solution to emergency ground dwelling for a hammock camper.

This could be necessary if you get stuck above the tree line with no trees near or ONLY bristlecone pines.

I do NOT want to hang from a bristlecone pine as hurting a 3000 year old tree would break my soul...

Anyway. I guess I would use my trek poles to hold up my tarp and then maybe use my backpack and hammock as a ground sheet to insulate me?

I'm not sure how warm I would be and also worried about damage to my hammock.

[Kyle]

I had some fun pitching my Superfly on the ground, which you can check out here. Result would be different with different styles of tarps, obviously, but the concept is the same. As for insulation, I think you're mostly screwed if it's an emergency, unplanned going to ground and don't ordinarily use a pad. You'll be fine with a top quilt for above, but below will suck. Then again, you can't really expect luxury when being forced to the ground. And as long as you use a ground sheet between the hammock and the evil ground, your hammock should be fine... Though your body may not be, come morning. ;p

[AaronAlso]

I've played around with it but never had a need on a hike; I don't get above treeline. I will tell you that a pad or at least tyvek to lay on while I the hammock is mandatory. If the temps are very low consider a synth UQ or a Klymit x frame pad for your down quilt. Or better yet if you know this is a likelyhood then just learn to master the pad in hammock and on the ground. That has been the toughest part for me keeping the hammock & UQ clean and dry while on the ground. Good luck and be sure to let us know what you come up with.

[ataris121]

Tyvek and Reflectex? Home Depot is your friend

[bear bag hanger]

If I'm forced to go to ground I put down my poncho first, my sleeping pad second, then my hammock, using my hiking poles to hold up the ends and then the tarp. Of course, if I'm not carrying a sleeping pad, this doesn't work quite as well. If you're expecting you'll have to go to ground sometime during your trip, then a sleeping pad becomes almost mandatory (as opposed to a under quilt). One possible solution, if you go with the under quilt, is to use a pile of pine needles and leaves as a pad underneath everything when on the ground.

[Sidewinder]

I always bring a pad if I think I will be above treeline. A 3/4 torso length GG pad that folds up is a perfect pad that fits into my pack, doesn't weigh much and can be used to supliment my quilt if the temps drop beyond its range.

This summer I will be doing trips in mixed terrain and will be bringing an exped pad instead of my Underquilt. I'll rig my tarp on the ground and pull my bug sock over my head if needed.

S

[Red Wing]

[QUOTE=Kyle;1003117]. As for insulation, I think you're mostly screwed if it's an emergency, unplanned going to ground and don't ordinarily use a pad. You'll be fine with a top quilt for above, but below will suck. Then again, you can't really expect luxury when being forced to the ground.


This isn't accurate. I sleep amazing on the ground on my Exped Downmat. So much so that I've actively been hybridizing my gear to be able to hang or G2G with my standard gear. Your pics of the Superfly on the ground is what inspired me, thanks for posting those.

If you're going on a hike where you MIGHT have to go to ground, I'd plan accordingly. Take a CCF pad or a reflectix pad so it doesn't kill your weight and you can still be adequately prepared. Wont be as comfortable as an inflatable but you wont freeze to death either. Might be sore but you'll be warm.

[mbiraman]

Hey gang.

I'm trying to figure out a solution to emergency ground dwelling for a hammock camper.

This could be necessary if you get stuck above the tree line with no trees near or ONLY bristlecone pines.

I do NOT want to hang from a bristlecone pine as hurting a 3000 year old tree would break my soul...

Anyway. I guess I would use my trek poles to hold up my tarp and then maybe use my backpack and hammock as a ground sheet to insulate me?

I'm not sure how warm I would be and also worried about damage to my hammock.

Your hammock will not insulate you. If you have to go to ground on part of your trip them learn to use a pad,,dbl layer hammock would help with this.

If I'm forced to go to ground I put down my poncho first, my sleeping pad second, then my hammock, using my hiking poles to hold up the ends and then the tarp. Of course, if I'm not carrying a sleeping pad, this doesn't work quite as well. If you're expecting you'll have to go to ground sometime during your trip, then a sleeping pad becomes almost mandatory (as opposed to a under quilt). One possible solution, if you go with the under quilt, is to use a pile of pine needles and leaves as a pad underneath everything when on the ground.

If your above tree line and have to go to ground there are no pine needles.

[Owl]

Thought I'd chime in my .02 here.

If you have any reason to suspect that going to the ground is likely/probable/possible, I'd suggest a slight gear change and go with some type of pad as part of your setup. Thermarest/etc...

As others have mentioned, some Tyvek or even just a .3 mil 55gal trashbag that you can use as a ground cloth underneath your pad can save you a lot of heartburn.

Personally...I'd drop the idea of using the hammock while on the ground completely. Use your trekking poles as tent poles to hold up your tarp...stake your tarp down to the ground, put your trashbag as a ground cloth, and sleep on top of your pad with your topquilt/top insulation as normal. It might get buggy...but that's another reason for using permethrin on your trail clothes.

Tarp camping has been a UL option for years. The hammock just adds (a massive amount) of comfort and convenience to it when trees are available to hang from.

[XTrekker]

Well if you had any exposed rock face you could use climbing wedges(nuts) to anchor to the rock face and hang your hammock that way. But I find it hard to see one stuck in this scenario in the first place. If you're going to an area that doesn't have places to hang, then why would you take a hammock? And if you're in a place that doesn't have hanging options, then why not just keep walking until you find a pair of trees? I'd suggest, packing accordingly to your trip or burn a few calories and walk a little further to find trees. If it's an emergency situation then by all means, hang from the 3000 year old tree... I hope I'm not coming across as a smart-a$$ or anything so please dont take any of this the wrong way..Just trying to simplify things a bit for ya.