Backcountry Sleeping Accomendations

[Spikorbust]

My question is does anyone use a Hammock setup for the hiking adventurers? After watching some of that video " Alone in the Wild (with Ed Wardle) Canada " (haven't made it through 2.5 hours of it  ) it looked like that a hammock might not be to bad.

Pluses
- Your off the ground away from wet ground, rodents, ground bugs
- Looks pretty comfy
- Use as a chair or lounge with cover
- Small and light

Negatives???

What would be the negatives unless you don't have access to trees?

[sirmissalot]

I have a pretty sweet one, I'll have to find it to look at the brand. Super light, easy setup and takes up almost no space, but I don't sleep worth a darn in it. Just puts me in a weird position to sleep, that and not always able to find a good set of trees are the only downfall I've found.

[JM]

I was gifted a hammock for my birthday last year. I brought my one man tent and the hammock on three seperate backpack/scouting trips figuring I would test it out before relying on it solely. The one draw back that I came to realize was that you need two fairly sturdy and fairly evenly spaced trees to set it up. Not sure what your backcountry plans are but when I scout I set my camp up above the treeline as high as possible without making my presence obvious to the animals and I then hike the ridges out from there. What I realized is that it is its not very easy finding the right spot for a hammock sometimes. the other thing is that it's nice to have a tent for something to store your stuff in out of the weather.

[turkeyfeather]

  I would also say that for me I had a harder time staying warm in the hammock. I think the ground actually helps insulate you better.

[JackOfAllTrades]

I've used a hammock for years of lightweight backpacking. You have to know your destination and tree availability. I've switched to a lightweight tent as I can cook out of the weather on flat ground, covered by a tent. I could not do that from the hammock. Squirels and Chipmunks still run across you in a hammock so the whole mouse/rodent thing is a myth. Just a different critter. Spiders, beetles, even birds will land on the lines...  I don't like swaying in the wind in the pitch black.
 
-Steve

[Spikorbust]

Exactly what I was looking for some live experiences.

Do most use small tents or tarps?

Tarps seem simple and light but seems like that could get old being on a wet/damp ground.

Tents seem cumbersome.

I like the idea of a 12 x 16 wall tent with a stove but it seems a bit heavy to put on the back 

[WaltAlpine]

Tube Tent. super light. $8. Can be used more than once depending on the weather and conditions.

[Doc Sauce]

Made my own hammock to custom specs.  Bought the ripstop nylon from Michael's (felt really strange walking around there looking for that stuff).  "Whipped it" with 550 chord, use light weight rings and old ratchet strap straps without the hooks or  buckles to secure it to trees.  Got a roll of visquene (I think that is what it is called) from a trucker and cut a really big diamond to stretch over it.  I use a double ridgeline to hold the visquene so that I can throw it over the hammock for fresh air, and throw it back over in case it starts raining. 

I didn't take pictures of it, but I can sent it up and take pics of it if asked nicely... and maybe for a nominal fee.

[boneaddict]

Miles had a really good thread on here somewhere with this exact setup.  He removed a bunch of posts so not sure if its still on here.   Not what I use, but a great setup.   I tend to be above trees so hammock not the best option for me 

[Spikorbust]

Trying to sift through the options seems overwhelming without help. Trying to keep the budget somewhere around $200 +/- otherwise I would jump out in get a Kifaru with a stove $800 out the door 

[washelkhunter]

I use this, a whelen leanto made of nylon by beckel canvas of portland. Cut your own poles or hang between 2 trees from a taut line. Plenty of shelter for 2 with all their gear. You can stand in it and build your fire in front for heat and cooking. Weighs 5.5 lbs in the bag with 3/8 nylon lines attached and 6 stakes.

[boneaddict]

Mine is the same concept but made out of a parachute

[JM]

If I was to go out and buy another backpacking tent and I had a $200 dollar budget I would personally get a ultra light 2 person tent. They might weigh a few ounces more but I think that the space to keep your gear out of the weather would be well worth it. Also trying to pack a 85 pound black lab and a 6ft 190 pound person into a Cabelas XPG ultra light 1 person tent and get any descent shuteye isn't easy. I know sounds like a spoiled mutt but she packs her own food my booze and doesn't complain which makes her great company in the backcountry.

[fillthefreezer]

check this out
http://mountainsmith.com/index.php/tents-sleeping-bags/mountain-shelter-lt.html
i get a killer deal on mountainsmith through a friend so i plan to try one of these out as a solo shelter to supplement my SL5 for 2.

edit to add: patrick smith owner of kifaru started mountainsmith so you could probably attribute this shelter to an early supertarp

[JLS]

check this out
http://mountainsmith.com/index.php/tents-sleeping-bags/mountain-shelter-lt.html
i get a killer deal on mountainsmith through a friend so i plan to try one of these out as a solo shelter to supplement my SL5 for 2.

edit to add: patrick smith owner of kifaru started mountainsmith so you could probably attribute this shelter to an early supertarp

That's a nice looking setup.  I wish you hadn't shown it to me, now I think I need one