Hammock Camper or Hammock Hiker?

**Jhp45auto** · 01-30-2016, 22:18

I am a wanna belong distance hiker, but without the time to do it. I "train" walking 3-4 miles a couple times a week walking the roads with a full pack and my dog. When I get a free pass, I rarely get 2 nights so usually just an out and back, and I find myself going as fast as I can as long as I can, still in "training" mode. That's ok too, I certainly can use the exercise, but I should slow down to maximize the enjoyment of every step in the woods.

But for me it is still the dream of being a mile crushing lightweight, high speed low drag backpacker, who sleeps comfortably off the ground.

Reality for me is more scouting campouts where I get to enjoy my gear than long miles, but every night above ground counts, right?

**Scarecrow** · 01-30-2016, 22:38

Originally Posted by latriper

Just curious as to how everyone views their style. I had always thought of people who camp with hammocks as UL backpacker types until I started camping in one. Due to some bad knees and back, I'm not able to trek long distances but love spending as many nights as possible hanging. Even if I could go 15 miles in a day not sure if I would since it would cut into my relaxing/cooking/eating time.

So for you, is it more about the distance traveled, or just getting to a nice spot and staying for a while?

I don't go for long distances really. Usually anywhere between 3 to 7 miles for the hike in to wherever camp is going to be set up. I'm an [amateur] landscape photographer, so most the time I'm on the trail, I'm going slow and taking a ton of photos along the way.

**Helium33** · 01-30-2016, 23:58

I am a hiker who loves to hammock .

**latriper** · 01-31-2016, 01:13

Originally Posted by bobamos

A hiker at heart but a car camper by knees. My knees no longer allow me the enjoyment of hiking long distances. As a kid I was a long distance runner. Today I am a short distance fridge visitor. Generally I will probably hike about a mile to a site and make it a base camp. Then each day take a walk around and see nature at its best.

I know the feeling. 2 surgeries on my right knee in 2015 so no hiking for me but plenty of sleeping in my hammock.

**Pavel** · 10-23-2017, 16:41

No hiking for me. I want to relax and see and smell nature in my hammock.

After four bouts with cancer over 28 years, I've got so many parts that don't work, from feet and one arm which I can't feel to guts that don't work properly and energy which on a good day is like a normal person's when down with the flu, so all I'm after is the peace that one can get by getting the car or motorcycle as close as possible to the hang site, and then to just enjoy nature, the birds singing and a comfortable night drifting off to sleep. Hero's and macho men - won't relate. That's ok. The hammock is therapy ... for me.

**Hefty Hanger** · 10-23-2017, 17:52

Latriper, I'm with you. Exactly.

**Shug** · 10-23-2017, 18:10

Bit of both...bit of both. Depends on the trip.
Shug

**Carbonmated** · 10-23-2017, 18:32

I am a hammock camper that enjoys a nice hike too.

**arcana73** · 10-23-2017, 20:55

I am an everywhere kind of hammock person. I go on backpacking trips and set up my hammock. I have car camped and brought a hammock. I have a hammock that I keep in our travel trailer and take a nap outside next to the camper. I have 2 trees in my yard that I hang from and read my kindle or take a nap. There's a hammock that sits in my truck that I have at the ready if I decide to head to a park and eat lunch or just chill. So to sum it up, I am just a plain old hammocker. Anywhere is fine by me.

**Ldog** · 10-23-2017, 22:10

I’m an olde phart who has been hiking long sections of some long trails. Did the AT in four years. Did 100 miles of the NCT last year. Heading for the LT next year. But I got old bones. I start out every hike doing 5-8 mpd, and slowly work my way up to 12-15. I get up, have a leisurely breakfast, pack and hit the trail. I take lots of breaks, and get into camp as the sun is starting to dip below the horizon. I subscribe to the UL philosophy, but my base weight for an Aug/Sept LT hike with temps possibly dipping into the thirties, is 14 lbs.

I do a bit of motorcycle camping. Weekends at a campground with lots of friends.

I’d certainly hike in to a great fishing spot and camp for a few days, but haven’t done so yet ...

The hammock is my shelter system. I keep tweaking them to get my weight down, to stay dry in storms, and to make hanging and packing quick and easy. I find hammocks superior to tents for most situations, and for a lot of reasons, but mostly because I get a good nights sleep.