Porch Mode

[Burg54]

I have personally never understood the attraction of porch mode, possibly because I never enter my hammock until I want to go to sleep. When it's nighttime, you don't need a view.

For blowing precipitation, it doesn't matter how many tie-outs you have. You're going to get wet in porch mode anyway. I generally always set my tarp up the same way regardless of weather conditions. The only difference is whether I close my doors or leave them open.

I have to disagree on this point. I live in the PNW and camp in driving blowing rain more than I would like to admit. I am in porch mode 90% of the time and I rarely get anything under my tarp wet. I do pitch my tarp lower when the weather is nasty though. The Superfly is a large tarp and it works so well.

[SilvrSurfr]

I have to disagree on this point. I live in the PNW and camp in driving blowing rain more than I would like to admit. I am in porch mode 90% of the time and I rarely get anything under my tarp wet. I do pitch my tarp lower when the weather is nasty though. The Superfly is a large tarp and it works so well.

It all depends on the conditions you see regularly. In areas with high, variable winds (I live by the coast) it's always blowing this way and that and you are guaranteed to get wet in porch mode.

[njsurfer]

If I've brought my hiking poles with me I'll usually set up in porch mode if weather conditions allow. Ive set both asym and hex tarps up this way and of course the larger tarp provides better protection, although both were adequate unless we were talking really wind swept conditions. If Im expecting those conditions I'll usually take that into consideration when selecting a campsite and opt for a more sheltered site rather than one with open view if it comes to it. I prefer the coverage of the hex tarp over the asym though and its my 'go to' tarp 99.5% of the time.

[hangNyak]

I have personally never understood the attraction of porch mode, possibly because I never enter my hammock until I want to go to sleep. When it's nighttime, you don't need a view.

I will pray that you see the light....or the woods from a porched tarp.

[FJRpilot]

I'll chime in for porch mode as well. Here the the desert SW, blowing rain is not usually a problem but dew fall is an every night thing. Porch mode allows my hammock and quilts to breath and cuts down on condensation from my heavy breathing . I am quick to drop the single side if real weather starts up...

[Bl@ckbird]

I pitch porch mode almost all the time unless heavy winds. Not that I need a view while I sleep but it's nice to wake up and look out in the morning while I lay and drink my coffee.

[Gutyones]

I tried porch mode for free first time on Tuesday and think it's the way to go unless the wind is high. I get claustrophobic if I can't see.

[SilvrSurfr]

I will pray that you see the light....or the woods from a porched tarp.

Sorry, porch mode goes right over my head. I'm just never in my hammock when it's daylight, so the view means nothing to me.

If the view from the hammock is great, it's probably even better from some other vantage point.

[Solohammock]

I'm in the PNW and hanging out in the driving rain alot as well... Rain = high humidity and condenstation, so your getting a little wet either way, may as well have a view even if it is of the moon over the mountain or a lake... Oh ya, a view can be had in the dark!
I like a 3 point pitch as well, a partial porch mode if you will. Just 1 corner up to get 3 directions of good coverage and still a line of sight and a little easier to maneuver under.
The view may be better from some other vantage point but it sure won't be as comfortabe!

[swankfly]

Ditto, porch mode. If weather is clear, I may go dbl porch mode. Love the air flow and view in the am.