Hammock Backpacking

[FishEKat]

I am planning on going backpack hunting into the high country next year. I was thinking of using a hammock instead of a tent. Anyone else ever try this?

[ghosthunter]

Better try it at home first. Not that comfortable.

Also try it on a cold day. Part of keeping warm is traping body heat between you and another surface. Harder to stay warm hanging in the breeze.

[Miles]

Watch some of this guys videos.

[UBA]

I switched to a hammock last year. Best thing ever. I use a nice sleeping pad and stayed plenty warm. Buddy brought a tent and I let him try it out. He then fanahioned one out of his tent and rain fly. After that he was sold and so was I. Never slept better while camping. Best piece of gear I have.

[MikeWalking]

I've got a Hennessy Hammock.   Some of the best sleeps ever and I'm the guy that flops around like a fish out of water trying to fall asleep.  A real pain to get into.  You crawl in through a small slit in the foot end. After swearing up a storm trying to get into my bag I starting to get into the bag then into the hammock.  You actually lay pretty flat.

My only real big problem was getting chilled from below, even in summer weather.  A simple pad fixed that.  Big Agnes makes bags with sleeves to hold sleeping pads if you're looking at bags too.

[FishEKat]

I'll probably give it a dry run this spring and summer on some scouting trips to make sure things work out.  Sounds like it could work as long as I have the proper insulation underneath.

[cwuwildcat]

I'll probably give it a dry run this spring and summer on some scouting trips to make sure things work out.  Sounds like it could work as long as I have the proper insulation underneath.

It's nice to have a rainfly also.  I found a square rainfly from an old backpacking tent, that hung over my hammock just right between the trees at an 45 degree angle.  I then tied the corners at 3 and 9 oclock to a big rock on either side, and it gave good shelter keep the rain off, and it was light weight.

[adamR]

I tried this last year with a bug bag and loved it during early season.  A nice sleeping pad and a warm sleeping bag will go along ways.

[heavy hauler]

i tried a hammock years ago. it was cheap and a pile of crap.  you should try out your hammock (or anything) at home , before you go on a week long trip.

[hike2hunt]

All of my early Season scouting, fishing and hunting are done from a hammock. It's good on my back, fast to set up and light weight.

I would spend a night at home in it first. I use the ENG, picked it up at REI.

[Hunter mike]

Once you get a hammock system dialed in, you'll never go back.  I guess it's either for you or it's not - I'm guessing a lot of people who didn't like it either didn't have the right equipment or didn't have it set-up correctly (you should be able to sleep flat or on your side if hung correctly.  I know Hennessy hammocks are loved by many.  I've been using a Grand Trunk Ultralight.  It's a simple no-frills hammock and works great when you upgrade the suspension.

You do need to insulate from the cold air circulating around your underside - I use a cheap Wal-mart foam pad for this and along with my cheapo mummy bag I've been comfy even when it's snowing outside.  This season, I'm going to try a Big Agnes sleep system that has a sleeve for the pad included.

I'm going to do the High Buck hunt this year for the first time so I'm slowly upgrading my gear.  I think the GT Ultralight will still be my hammock due to low weight and easy to use.  Mine has held up very well.

Check out hammockforums.net for more info than you will ever need!  I like to keep my setup simple, but I get a lot of great ideas from there.