Not really a hammock and not really a tent. (PICTURES AND VIDEO)

**Refreshing** · 08-01-2013, 13:20

Hello gentlemen. I am a recreational tree climber who loves to bring a hammock up into the canopy to setup camp high above the ground. Since the beginning I have always used one of my home made hammocks but for this trip I tried something different:

This is my homemade portaledge that uses a tent fly and netting to protect me from the elements and mosquitoes. It sleeps just like a bridge hammock except without the tight squeeze against the shoulders. Check out a few short videos from my last trip. The videos are only 30 seconds each:

Video 1 - Waking up in the tree canopy.

Video 2 - A close-up of the portaledge and rainfly integration.

Video 3 - A wider angle view of my canopy campsite.

I actually have 13 short videos which document the entire climb and my war with the mosquitoes. I did not include all of these videos because I am unsure how well this idea will be accepted here on hammock forums since a protaledge isn't really a hammock. But in my opinion it is a lot more like a hammock than it is like a tent so I am just trying to find a place to discuss opinions of this idea!

The ledge and fly combination cost me a total of $170. If you have any questions let me know and thanks for the feedback!

Refreshing

**lesspayne** · 08-01-2013, 13:41

Cool Idea. Best stealth camping ever. I would say it's more like a bridge style hammock then a tent. But what I really think is its a portable tree house....annnnd I want one.

Additional Thoughts
It must make using the john at 2AM very interesting.
Does it need some sort of under quilt?
Does it swing or is it stable?
Are you crazy?

**Refreshing** · 08-01-2013, 14:14

Originally Posted by lesspayne

It must make using the john at 2AM very interesting.

I just wear adult diapers, then I can go where-ever and when-ever I feel like it. I don't even have to stop while hiking!

I always use a CCF pad with my hammocks so that is what I use with the portaledge. If it swings too much I can just anchor it to the tree at multiple locations but that wasn't needed for this trip. I never thought I was crazy but I have been posting these trips for over a year with the hopes that someone would ask to join me but that has yet to happen so maybe I am a little crazy.

Refreshing

**BroChaos** · 08-01-2013, 14:19

dude that is nuts lol. i didn't even know this was a thing. is it a thing?

**thenate1** · 08-01-2013, 15:34

That is very interesting. Thanks for sharing, I am very glad that you did

**makomachine** · 08-01-2013, 15:42

Yep, you are bat-crap-crazy!

I just don't trust knots, ropes, fabrics, trees, or nylon chewing tree rats with my peaceful nights sleep. I can see how it would be fun, if you weren't a coward like myself!

**Mountain Gout** · 08-01-2013, 15:44

Love it>>>> From afar....

... I'm just not one that likes heights very much... You are having a blast.. That is all that matters.. Be safe.. Good to see you post again..

**sargevining** · 08-01-2013, 16:08

Originally Posted by Refreshing

I just wear adult diapers, then I can go where-ever and when-ever I feel like it. I don't even have to stop while hiking!

Refreshing

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnddd thanks for playing Too Much Information!

Don Pardo, what's his prize?

**breaker** · 08-01-2013, 16:23

Ok thats just AWESOME!

At 50 years I would not being do it. But in my younger days would had been cool to try this.

thx for sharing

**Refreshing** · 08-01-2013, 16:47

Originally Posted by BroChaos

dude that is nuts lol. i didn't even know this was a thing. is it a thing?

It is not really a thing but I would like it to be a thing! In fact, now that school is finally over and I am settled into my new job I plan on trying to find some fellow hammockers in my area to join me in the canopy. I have a lot of extra climbing gear so if I can find some friends to join me this just might become a "thing".