Why is it...

[Kattelyn]

That every time I bring up hammock camping to ground dwellers, they start in thinking how "hard core" it is.

Heard it this morning while visiting with a bunch of outdoorsy types when somebody asked for tent suggestions and I start posting pics.

"Listen, I am doing good to get the wife out in a tent. She loves to camp....but has this thing about "having her own bathroom"." What the heck does that have to do with the price of tea in china??? I park my butt in my hammock in in 10 minutes I'm snoring. I wouldn't be able to walk if I tried to sleep on the ground.

I just can't see how it could possibly be considered hard core or roughing it by any stretch of the imagination. I'm COMFY!

[barbermike]

I bet most of the time it is because they are thinking how to protect themselves from bugs and other animals. They don't know what we know when it comes to tarps and bug nets. The tent gives them a false sense of security from the outside.

[Turtle Creek]

They may also think they'd be in an uncomfortable banana position.

[adventuregirl]

I think its the security thing. People feel safer in a tent. My friend said that to me this weekend while we were car camping. She acknowledged she wasn't any safer, but she felt safer with her walls. Now in the morning when we woke up and I felt great and she was all stiff in sore despite her brand new air mattress I think she saw my point. I think as much as people like to camp they are afraid to be outdoors. Where I wish it was acceptable to live outdoors...

[BillyBob58]

All of the above, because it's more like "soft core" than "hard core". The "hard" part is on the ground!

[Old Dog]

It’s a false sense of security brought on by being insulated from the outside world. I prefer a tarp to a tent, even if I’m sleeping on a cot. I like to see what’s going on around me.

[perdidochas]

That every time I bring up hammock camping to ground dwellers, they start in thinking how "hard core" it is.

Heard it this morning while visiting with a bunch of outdoorsy types when somebody asked for tent suggestions and I start posting pics.

"Listen, I am doing good to get the wife out in a tent. She loves to camp....but has this thing about "having her own bathroom"." What the heck does that have to do with the price of tea in china??? I park my butt in my hammock in in 10 minutes I'm snoring. I wouldn't be able to walk if I tried to sleep on the ground.

I just can't see how it could possibly be considered hard core or roughing it by any stretch of the imagination. I'm COMFY!

I camp with the Boy Scouts, so I don't mind the perception that I'm hardcore. That said, our SM and one ASM tend to sleep on pads on the ground, with only a tarp draped on them to lessen the dew (that is if there is no forecast of rain).

[MAD777]

I agree that "hard" core means sleeping on the "hard" ground.

I think that the tent "security" things is related to an ostrich sticking it's head in the sand.

[K0m4]

Well, because we're bad-***, of course...

[GregB]

The tent gives them a false sense of security from the outside.

I think that's a big part of it. If you talk about tarp camping they tend to think the same way. By the time you start discussing ultralight gear and alcohol stoves and Fosters can pots they're pretty sure you're nuts.

But honestly, hammock camping is part of my ultralight plan. I cut my tent weight in half and am vastly more comfortable. With a top quilt/under quilt combination I'll be toasty warm and will be carrying about 2 pounds less than my synthetic sleeping bag and almost 3 pounds less by not bringing my self inflating sleeping pad.

I cut my weight in half and I sleep way better. If I get a reputation for being "hard core" as well that's just a bonus.