A few quick replies off the top of my head, Neo, 10 reasons while I'll keep my tent:
1. Many folks (maybe MOST folks) don't want to hammock for six months.
While they may be comfortable in a hammock on a short-term basis, most
folks don't wanna do it for the whole trip. Many folks sleep poorly in
them.
a.hammocks are more comfortable.
2. One can do things in tent or a tarp that one cannot do in a hammock:
Prepare a cold meal; change one's clothes, do gear repairs, do first aid/
personal stuff, etc. In a hammock, you can essentially lie down. Period.
b.thats easy,i can do all that i use an oversized tarp.
3. There are wonderful places on the Trail that are treeless.....balds,
mountain tops, open fields, grassy areas, sandy beaches. If you're
a hammock hiker, you won't be staying in any of these places.
c.i have hung in my hammock over bluff edges,how is that for a few.
4. You'll sleep colder in a hammock, especially in the early and late days
of your trip.
d.thats what pad or under quilts are for.
5. You can't get your pack or most of your belongings in a hammock, meaning
you leave them out, where they can get wet, bothered by animals, etc.
e.thats what my guy lines are for.
6. Hammocks are no good if you're oversized or heavy. Most hammocks for
"Big and Tall" guys either cost around $200.00 bucks, or weigh at least
three and a half pounds. Big guys can find tents or tarps that weigh
and cost less.
f.they make them for up to 350 lbs,if ya are more than that,ya probley dont hike.
7. In really horrible weather, or if injured, you can kill a whole morning,
or even a day, in your tent or tarp if you have to. If you try to spend
16 hours, awake, in a hammock, you'll go out of your mind.
g.wrong
8. Hammocks aren't much use if you come up with a player to be named
later that you might want to spend the evening with. Unless you're a
Bulgarian contortionist, engaging in romantic intimacy in a hammock
is generally not worth the trouble.
h.who needs company.
9. Some bears are known to be partial to "pinata" parties, if you catch my
drift.
i. i never see bears stealth camping away from sloppy campers.
10. Snakes, including poisonous ones, can all climb trees.
j.i like snakes.
On that last note, Neo, sleep well!
why do people sleep on the ground?
neo
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Originally Posted by Jack Tarlin
I'm sure my ballast has nothing to do with a hammocks comfort. 