Lightest Hammock & Grand Canyon Question

[creekjunction]

Going to be doing a 16 day kayaking trip thru the grand canyon this summer. Here is the catch, its self support, meaning I can only bring what I can fit in my kayak for 277 miles down the Colorado river. We will have no raft support.

My main shelter will be a Fly Creek Fly/Footprint which I hope to never have to use as sleeping under the stars is what most people do on summer trips. Its going to be HOT and obviously there are no trees but a few of us have kicked around the idea and experimented with hanging between two boulders. I will have 75' of rope and a couple of assorted pieces of webbing in my rescue kit that could be used for anchor points. A good number of the campsites are near or next to some pretty large boulders. Since its going to be so hot I think it would be worth it If I could get even one or two nights in a hammock. Also it would be great for chilling out during the day when we are not paddling. Another issue is environmental impact as I certainly dont want to harm or damage this beautiful place. Any thoughts on this?

My next question would be whats the lightest hammock that would hold up a 215 pounder. I dont really want to take my WBBB as its a bit heavy being the DL 1.7 and I really dont want to subject it to that kind of abuse.

[Cannibal]

If you want to stick with the WB brand, get a single layer 1.7 Traveler. If you want lighter, go with a single 1.1 Traveler. I'm about 30 pounds heavier than you and have spent many a night in a single 1.1; it won't be as comfortable due to stretch, but it still beats the snot out of the ground.

I don't see any lasting impact tying to boulders. Watch out for the lichen, I guess, but otherwise you should be good. I haven't had great experience with rope/cord on boulders. Webbing provides much more surface area to grip to the boulder. I know you are restricted by space and weight, but the webbing will be much easier in that situation.

Have fun! Sounds great.

[Scottybdiving]

Creekjunction, all I can say is "you lucky dog". I have done it in a raft, which is rather luxurious compared to your trip. I assume you will re-supply at Phantom Ranch? Still a long haul on, what they call lower half, which is really about 70% if you are going all the way to Lake Mead.

My GC trip is what made me look for alternatives, which led me to this website and hammocking. I have done subsequent rafting trips on the Middle Fork Salmon, Yampa, and Selway rivers, and the hammocks were a dream come true. However, I did not yet have a hammock and wasn't looking at thing through a hammocker's eye. I think it will be very difficult to use one on the river. Capsites are not pre-assigned and are 1st come in the Canyon. some of the drainages have trees but you are not allowed to camp within x feet of them.

If you are there in the summer, near the rocks is the last place you will want to sleep. That black schist is like being near a furnace. The closer to the water's edge, the cooler the air. The rafting guides all sleep on their rafts. I carried a tarp to set up if there was a threat, but only used it a couple times.

I wish you luck and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime.

[thenate1]

If you are there in the summer, near the rocks is the last place you will want to sleep. That black schist is like being near a furnace. The closer to the water's edge, the cooler the air. The rafting guides all sleep on their rafts.

Hammock Raft? That would be awesome

[Santiago]

Hi! So how did everything turn out?! I'd love to hear about your experiences!

I'm new to hammocking and heading down the GC in 2 weeks. I am building a hammock stand that integrates with my raft frame, for this exact reason, the heat; I heard everyone sleep on their boats. I'll be sleeping *over mine. Perhaps I'll make a build thread. I have some sweet visions of it and I'm getting started tomorrow when my HH Expedition gets here. I'm also taking my simple $10 nylon hammock for nights without bugs.

[Jaytongret]

I would look in to climbing protection as a option as well it's a bit expensive but I know lots of people that only hang on it because they camp in climbing crags

[Santiago]

Ok, so I dove in and came up with this. I will be sleeping in it tonight. I'll probably throw the HH Expedition on there though, or try each over the weekend.
http://imgur.com/rdHmSB0

Top and bottom joints http://imgur.com/1krFH8F http://imgur.com/fRSYlsr