no hammock. no tent. thoughts?

[2014hopeful]

If I start with a hammock, I'll be cold. If I decide to buy a tarp tent, it means buying TWO shelters for one hike since I want to hang as much as possible and need a hammock as well.

How about this:

I buy a hex rain fly for my hammock. I buy my hammock. Then I get my hammock mailed to me at some point after Roan Mountain TN and up until that point, use the hex as a shelter with just a Tyvek ground cloth, pad, and bag.

My assumption is that it will be too cold for bugs until then.

Tell me I've figured out something that will work?

[FatHead64]

Laying on the ground with no insulation? You compress your bag below you. Believe me, you will get cold that way - you need insulation underneath. Especially when it is "too cold to hang". You also don't have a good way to stop any wind.

[bigcranky]

He'll have a pad. That'll work just fine.

[2014hopeful]

He'll have a pad. That'll work just fine.

She <3 <3 will have a pad

[2014hopeful]

Bigcranky, thank you. I always appreciate the multitude of opinions that come to the forums and that's why I post here, but sometimes it is really nice to just be told, "Yes. That's fine."

[scudder]

try out your set up in your yard during some crappy weather. if it satisfies, you know you have something that will work for you.

[2014hopeful]

I will do just that!

[gunner76]

Best to test under controled conditions so if it soes not work out the way you planed, you can change your gear before you get on the trail and find out you made a mistake.

[FatHead64]

She <3 <3 will have a pad

Oops - re-reading it, I see you're right. Sorry - my bad.

[bfayer]

It will work no problem, but you will need to use hiking poles or something to set up your tarp.

If you already use hiking poles, never mind

[cave man]

If you prepare and set up your hammock properly you can use it in lower temps or just use your pad and rainfly to sleep on the ground if you want to, you can always hang if you wanted to...Using the pad in your hammock keeps alot cold off your back but not all. Most people will recommend getting underquilts but those can run 145-250 dollars. I managed to make one for alot cheaper than that with old gear. Check out HammockForums.com they got a ton of good info for making your own quilts.

I am testing my system out this week and its around 25 degrees tonight.

[leaftye]

A hammock plus a full tent is a heavy way to go. A lighter way to go is to get a net tent that can go on the ground under the tarp for your hammock.

[broken arrow]

use a pad with your hammock. you will stay warm in the hammock and you can go to ground when needed/wanted.

[2014hopeful]

I am in the Caribbean. I have a little nylon hammock--not asym, just for fun and lounging. I hiked to a beach today in 82* and when I set up my hammock on the windy beach just in the shade, I laid in it for about 10 minutes before I had goosebumps from the combination of air beneath and sweat. I realize I'll be dry when sleeping (hopefully) but I mean it was hot outside. I don't see me using it at all in weather under 50* even with a pad. I'm glad I tried it--I knew I got cold easy but I didn't realize how easy. I have been here for 3 months so I'm accustomed to the heat. Meh. I think I'll just not carry the hammock until later.

[leaftye]

use a pad with your hammock. you will stay warm in the hammock and you can go to ground when needed/wanted.

Are the JRB bridge hammocks still the preferred hammock to use with a pad?

http://www.jacksrbetter.com/shop/bea...ammock-deluxe/


I've seen a hammock that incorporated a bathtub floor and netting that made it seamless to go to the ground. It may have been double layered to use with a quilt.

[bigcranky]

She <3 <3 will have a pad

I am so sorry. Very bad assumption on my part.

[kayak karl]

i don't own a tent and when Kaia was a pup and wouldn't sleep in hammock i used my hammock tarp. left ridge line on it but switched to V setup. only needed one tree and no poles.
IMGP0892.jpgIMGP1099.jpg

[DeerPath]

Bigcranky, thank you. I always appreciate the multitude of opinions that come to the forums and that's why I post here, but sometimes it is really nice to just be told, "Yes. That's fine."

Yes, That's fine.

[bear bag hanger]

You'll be fine with a pad and tarp on the ground, but you can setup the hammock to handle pretty cold conditions. If it gets too cold for your setup, just use the hammock on the ground like a bivvy or small tent using the hiking poles to hold the ends up. That way, you'll have options even during your start of the hike.

[MDSection12]

I am in the Caribbean. I have a little nylon hammock--not asym, just for fun and lounging. I hiked to a beach today in 82* and when I set up my hammock on the windy beach just in the shade, I laid in it for about 10 minutes before I had goosebumps from the combination of air beneath and sweat. I realize I'll be dry when sleeping (hopefully) but I mean it was hot outside. I don't see me using it at all in weather under 50* even with a pad. I'm glad I tried it--I knew I got cold easy but I didn't realize how easy. I have been here for 3 months so I'm accustomed to the heat. Meh. I think I'll just not carry the hammock until later.

I've hammock camped down to around 12 F with just a Wal-Mart CCF pad and a 15 F sleeping bag. I think you are underestimating how much a pad under you in the hammock will help. As you discovered, you will need a pad under you almost regardless of temps. I nap in my hammock at home sometimes and I still use a pad in the ~68 F house.

Check out HammockForums.Net if you haven't already.