Hammock camping

[EllieP]

OK, I was "kidnapped" yesterday. Well, they warned me. A friend called at 8AM Saturday morning, (8AM!!!) and told me to pack my backpack we're going camping at 10.

I like to camp, but I usually go camping with my husband and I told him that. He said we're not sleeping in tents. So I asked if I'd have my own room in the cabin since the three other campers were guys. He said we're doing hammocks.

Eh, not my thing. We have a big hammock in the back yard, and Cap enjoys it much more than me. But my friend was persistent and then told me we were going big zip lining. Oh now, I'm in!

I had a lot of fun through the trees, but I have to say I kept thinking about sleeping all night in that hammock.

Well, now I can admit it was quite nice. In fact, it was probably one of the most comfortable nights I've had camping in a long time. Yes, it's a little crowded when it comes to trying to keep everything close by, and I was very apprehensive trying to change my clothes when it looked like I was exposed through the screen, but it was all good.

Yes, it was chilly last night, but I slept snug as a bug. Now I'm thinking of getting my own hammock! I need to convince Cap, though. The hammocks I like cause twice as much as our tent! Hoo boy!

So, anyone else do this? I don't know if it's a new thing or not, but I'd love some recommendations, etc.

 

[Hoss]

never used a hammock, they have always kind of scared me. (must be a buried memory causing it)

Wondering what type of hammock you were using? There seem to a number of different styles out there.....although they all end up with the same style of holding section.

 

[halcyondays]

I used a hammock long ago to make better time hiking the AT. I strung it up between two trees when I didn't want to stop at shelters along the way. I wasn't carrying a tent (the weight saving of which is the point of the shelters). I found it much more comfortable than sleeping in a bivy sack on the ground. I slept in my bag in the hammock, covered myself with lightweight no-see-um netting and used a lightweight nylon poncho as a rain fly as needed.

I have no idea what to recommend. How heavy a hammock you want would depend on whether you're backpacking or auto camping.

 

[EllieP]

I really don't know the brand, but the hammock looked similar to this one: http://gearx.com/byer-of-maine-moskito-kakoon-hammock?gclid=CKDs0uixsMgCFQEPaQodDFEOwg

I had strung up a rain tarp over it. It's a pretty neat contraption the way the hammock attached to the trees.

Of course, I got a little peeve when he told me to put it higher on the tree because my weight will bring it down a lot. "A lot???" I yelled at him. He got the message. And I did NOT bring it down a lot.

As for weight of the equipment, I have no idea. Cap usually packs the tent, and I just carried the rain fly on this one.

 

[AlteredEgo]

Sounds awesome. I've been curious ever since I saw them in Outdoor World a couple years back.

 

[rbkwp]

always had such in mind
closest i ever got was stringing a tarpaulin over a rope, quick and easy tent, slept 6 of us comfortably, open ends for ventilation from extreme farts etc

may well have hammocked across Australia, if i had done the entire country on a road trip of several years .. lot less chance of insect/snake bites ha'
ALAS' ..

 

[twoton]

With my back, I'd be worried that I'd spend the night in a C shape, with my butt hanging down, which would bulge the discs the wrong way.
So there weren't any muscle or skeletal problems the next morning?