What To Do When Darkness Comes. Hammocks vs Tents

**SingleTrackMind** · 02-20-2011, 10:27

About 2 years ago I decided to purchase a hammock (Clark Jungle) and I thoroughly enjoy the great night's sleep I get in one. However, when I went car camping last year the idea of confining myself to my hammock during the dark hours before bed (9-10pm) didn't sound very enjoyable. I brought my tent too that day and decided to spend the night in it, even though my hammock was hung in the woods about 40 ft from my campsite.

I was wondering how others make good use of time, and get around the feeling of being "confined" (yet comfortable) in a hammock during the hours of darkness before bed.

Any thoughts or advice would be great.

Thanks.

**HappyCamper** · 02-20-2011, 10:40

I find reading or listening to books/music on my mp3 player is way more comfortable in my hammock. If I'm sitting around a campfire, hammock or tent -- doesn't matter.

**TRAVELER** · 02-20-2011, 10:42

i usually would be kicked back by the fire,and/or possibly reading by headlight or munching on a snack...

**myles to go** · 02-20-2011, 10:42

I want to know what your doing in that tent that can't be done in the comfort of your hammock?

**RePete** · 02-20-2011, 10:45

I tend to be by a campfire until bed time. If you are solo camping im not sure what you could do in a small tent that you cant do in your hammock. Read, watch videos on your ipod, play games on you phone. All can be done in either location. I dont think of my hammock as confining as I can get out of it quicker than I can get out of a tent.

**cataraftgirl** · 02-20-2011, 10:46

Before I discovered the hammock, I slept on a roll-a-cot, either in a tent or under the stars. Whichever method I use (hammock, tent, cot) my bedtime routine stays about the same. We stay up until it's too dark to keep playing cards, then we sit around and talk for awhile, then everyone retires to their tent/cot/hammock, and most of us read until we're ready to sleep. I either read (book, now I bring my Nook) or listen to music on my I-pod. I don't feel "confined" in my hammock, any more or less than I would in a tent. I can't think of anything I'd do in the tent between 9-10pm, that I don't or can't do in my hammock??????
KJ

**wildcrafter** · 02-20-2011, 10:47

before bed time i dont find there is a bed time while camping I go when I am tired and its dark be it 8 or 11 it doesnt matter. i find it difficult on the other end I am an early riser being solo thats not a problem but with a group hang i am always the first up laying in the hammock in the mornings drives me crazy.

**Law Dawg (ret)** · 02-20-2011, 10:50

Originally Posted by myles to go

I want to know what your doing in that tent that can't be done in the comfort of your hammock?

Nooooo...!!!

**^shane^** · 02-20-2011, 10:55

Sit by the fire...
Lay by the fire...
Go out in a meadow and look at the stars...
Night hike...
Watch a movie on my iPhone in my hammock...
Read my Kindle in my hammock...

Wonder why all those poor stiff ground dwellers got into their tents on the ground so dang soon... if they only knew...

**Mustardman** · 02-20-2011, 11:13

Unless you're trying to escape bugs or rain, I don't understand why you'd want to crawl into a tent before you're ready for bed, either.

If it's rain, I'd much rather have my tarp pitched high, with a nice big porch, so I can sit in my hammock and use it as a lounge chair while I relax.

If it's bugs, I'd much rather sit by a campfire and let the smoke drive them away.

Perhaps if you gave us some idea why you want to crawl into your tent to do anything but sleep, we can give you a better idea what we would do instead. I go camping to get out into the great outdoors - the last thing I want to do is crawl into an artificial cave and sit around twiddling my thumbs!