The best reason to move up to the trees is the elevation in comfort. The logistics of hammock camping are similar to tarp camping, except the sleeping area is off the ground. Gone are problems with uneven or wet rain, roots and rocks. The cocoon structure is cozy, and lying diagonally flattens the hammock so you can sleep on your back or side.
The basic setup is simple: You need two trees, 12 to 15 feet apart. They should be alive with no overhanging widow makers. They need diameters of at least six inches, as the force exerted isn’t simply your weight divided by two, but hundreds of pounds at each end. The hammock attaches to the trees with 1-to-1.5-inch nylon straps, which prevent damage to the bark.
Hammocks ideal for this application are sewn of lightweight nylon. A high-tensile line stretching from the head of the hammock to the foot establishes the hang. It also forms a ridgeline for draping an attached or removable bug net. Access is usually through a zipper or Velcro opening along the hammock/net interface, or through a slit in the bottom. Guy lines can be rigged from each side to keep the net from sagging, and to reduce swing. A tarp suspended from the pair of trees and guyed out over the hammock weatherproofs the setup.
The downside of hammock camping is, well, the downside. It’s colder sleeping in the air than on the ground. Your body compresses the bottom of your sleeping bag to the thickness of a tortilla, so you need to insulate. Some campers use traditional sleeping pads, but these slide around and most are too narrow to hug your hips and shoulders. One fix is to attach a second layer to the hammock bottom, into which you can sandwich a wider pad, clothing or tortillas. Another option is to suspend a down quilt—known as an underquilt—beneath the hammock.
It’s usually easy to find a pair of suitable hammock anchors. But what to do if the trees don’t cooperate? If you have to go to ground, suspend one end of your tarp from a paddle, trekking pole, stick or single tree, and stake and guy the rest. Then hang the hammock underneath, attaching the head to the vertical support and staking the foot. A hammock with attached netting will keep the bugs at bay. The ridgeline will be slack, so shorten it with a loop to keep the netting from sagging.
Before you pitch your tent, Google “hammock camping” or ask around at your local outfitter—you’ll find several hammock manufacturers and lots of uplifting advice.
Stephen Brede honed his hammock hanging skills during a three-month canoe circumnavigation of Lake Michigan. He prefers cedar trees, with a view of the water.
This article originally appeared in Canoeroots & Family Camping, Spring 2012. Download our freeiPad/iPhone/iPod Touch App or Android App or read it here.
