Page 1 of 6 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 53
  1. #1
    Senior Member Knotty's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Denville, NJ, USA
    Hammock
    DIY Stretch-Side
    Tarp
    DIY Cat Cut Hex
    Insulation
    Phoenix and Nest
    Suspension
    cinch buckles
    Posts
    4,377
    Images
    227

    Are we becoming tent campers?

    With winter here there's lots of talk about winter tarps and the exciting new GrizzBeaks ( http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ight=grizzbeak ) that can add doors to many existing tarps.

    Frankly, I'm kind of torn on the subject. While I see the benefits of these systems it also seems like we're returning to tents, albeit tents where we don't have to sleep on the ground.

    Would like to encourage some discussion on the subject. Pros and cons. Etc.
    Knotty
    "Don't speak unless it improves the silence." -proverb
    DIY Gathered End Hammock
    DIY Stretch-Side Hammock
    Stretch-Side "Knotty Mod"
    DIY Bugnet

  2. #2
    Senior Member canoeski's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    South-central Wisconsin
    Hammock
    HH UExpl; WBBB; JRB BMBH
    Tarp
    CCS; HH Hex; WB Su
    Insulation
    MW-3, Sierra Sniv
    Suspension
    Woopie, Dutch Clip
    Posts
    380
    Good thoughts, but I think the distinction is whether you sleep on the ground (snow) vs suspended in a hammock.

    Although the winter tarps are evolving into more elaborate and enclosed structures, it's not a tent (in my small mind) unless it has a floor. And, you're still suspended.

    I think this evolution is just extending the seasonal range of the hammock.
    Without end covers of some sort, weathering out a raging blizzard would be challenging and possibly dangerous.

    OTOH, there is nothing wrong with sleeping directly on the snow (pads of course) as it's a good insulator.
    Not all who wander are lost.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Rug's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Chatham, ON. Canada
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.7Dbl
    Tarp
    Maccat Deluxe
    Insulation
    JrB TQ/UQ,Crownest
    Suspension
    Whoopie Sling
    Posts
    676
    Images
    6
    Its funny, I had the exact same thought when I was watching the Beak video too. I see 2 explanation of this.

    1) the 'tent' design is compact, efficient, the evolution of 10 million years of 'habitat design'. (Another reason that most old homes look like tents too.)
    2) It is what we are used to seeing, and it "Just works".

    Tent vs Hammock

    Tent. Pro: good shelter Con: poor sleeping conditions
    Hammock: Pro: good sleeping conditions Con: Poor shelter

    Seems like a natural bit of evolution to me.
    I ride a recumbent.
    I like to HAM it up on the CW.
    I use Linux.
    I play go.
    Of course I sleep in a hammock!

    Rug.

    Hang On!

  4. #4
    Senior Member cavscout's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    North Georgia
    Hammock
    SB Pro / SlingRings
    Tarp
    10x10 w/ Fig. 9's
    Insulation
    KAQ New River
    Suspension
    1" PloyPro Straps
    Posts
    307
    The immediate thought is tenting isn't so much the issue. There would be a problem if we were devolving back to a ground dweller.

    Tent: A portable shelter, as of canvas, stretched over a supporting framework of poles with ropes and pegs.

    It would seem that in using a tarp, we never stopped using "tents". With a little latitude on the use of poles (Rope Ridge Line), all tarps are tents but not all tents are tarps? The closing in on all sides but the floor doesn't appear to change anything to me. Whether it's a corner folded in or an actual wall panel is no different than choosing a pea pod to cocoon the hammock.

    The line gets crossed in my mind when you hang the hammock in direct contact with the ground. But I'll justify it as calling it a bivy - an extremely lightweight alternative to traditional tent systems.

    I see very few cons to hammocking at least non-worth mentioning. The accessories needed to be comfortable in either a tent or hammock are virtually all the same. Pad, Bag/quilt, windbreak/tent/tarp.
    Last edited by cavscout; 12-17-2009 at 13:14.

  5. #5
    Senior Member Perkolady's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    NE GA
    Hammock
    diy
    Tarp
    diy 9x11
    Insulation
    JRB No Sniveller
    Suspension
    CBs + DCs
    Posts
    1,093
    Images
    29
    My objectives are to be warm, dry, and comfortable while hammocking. I'm always on the lookout for a good blend of functionality and low(ish) weight.

    I have found that the older I get, the more I want a couple 'extras' like a bigger tarp, with better coverage. I tend to spend more time in camp these days, so I pack for a bit more camp comfort.

    Maybe it's a matter of camping/hiking styles?

    I prefer simple, but to me, some things are worth fussing over, especially when it's cold and nasty outside and the 'wimp' in me cries out!

    I think people should bring whatever suits them. We each have to carry/set up our own gear. One person's idea of a palace might be skimping for someone else.

  6. #6
    Senior Member dblhmmck's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Northern California
    Posts
    656

    Best hammock accessory...a tent?

    Interesting line of thought, Knotty.

    The enclosed structure of an a-frame tent offers great weather protection for it's weight. How that translates to hammock usage is probably a matter of intention. Although the tarp can resemble a tent, especially when enclosed by one or two beaks, it's function would still be an element of a hammock system. And it could be configured in another way on another night.

    However, I recall a HF member posting a photo where he used a Henry Shire TarpTent (floorless model), as a beaked tarp for his hammock. I was impressed with the idea! It struck me not so much as going back to tents, but using a tent as a functional piece of the hammock rig. My .02

  7. #7
    Senior Member Scottybdiving's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Spicewood, TX
    Hammock
    WBBB, Switchback 1.9 SL & 1.9 DL
    Tarp
    BDWD, AE Hard Rock
    Insulation
    Incubator, Burrow
    Suspension
    Webbing & Rings
    Posts
    717
    Tents - Sleep on the ground
    Tarp - Hang in a hammock or sleep on the ground

    Tent - Crawl in on all fours
    Tarp - Walk in and sit down in your hammock

    Tent - Worry about tracking mud or sand
    Tarp - No worries

    Tent - Lay down thrash to change clothes (if it's raining or snowing)
    Tarp - Stand up or sit down in hammock

    Actually, I was tarping before I became a hammocker

  8. #8
    Senior Member E.A.Y.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Rescue, CA
    Hammock
    Warbonnet BlackBird
    Tarp
    MacCat Deluxe
    Insulation
    Down top & bottom
    Suspension
    Strap and buckle
    Posts
    934
    Images
    69
    If I'm sleeping on a piece of fabric that is suspended in the air from either end, then I'm sleeping in a hammock.
    The 'hammock' part is more important to me than what is keeping the elements off of me.

    I could have nothing over the hammock, I could have just some kind of hammock sock, I could have a hammock with a built in lid, I could have a tarp pitched 7 feet over my head, I could have a tarp pitched so low I can't stand up next to my hammock.
    Heck - I could have modified my old canvas Boyscout Voyageur tent and stuck the hammock suspension (of a really short hammock) out the peaks, and I'd still consider myself as having slept in a hammock.
    -Liz -

  9. #9
    Senior Member CajunHiker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Louisiana
    Hammock
    Hennessey Expedition Asym
    Tarp
    Hennessey Hex
    Insulation
    BA Yampa, Exped 7s
    Suspension
    Dynaglide Whoopies
    Posts
    430
    Images
    32
    A couple of summers ago, I hung my son's hammock inside of a wall tent that had a pipe frame.
    To Boldly Hang Where No One Has Hung Before...

  10. #10
    Senior Member SmokeHouse's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Arkansas
    Hammock
    my 11' ers
    Tarp
    many of my tarps
    Insulation
    yeti, Incubators
    Suspension
    DIY Whoopie
    Posts
    1,211
    Images
    49
    When its 20F or below and the wind is blowing, I'll take a closed shelter to hang a hammock in anyday.

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 6 123 ... LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. Any Hammock campers from the UK?
      By AntJones in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 4
      Last Post: 06-11-2010, 17:38
    2. Hello Hammock Campers
      By opie984 in forum Introduce Yourself
      Replies: 4
      Last Post: 01-12-2010, 13:54
    3. Stealth Campers & Car Campers & Yard hangers
      By sir White Wolf in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 8
      Last Post: 02-22-2009, 11:17

    Tags for this Thread

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •