If you are taking a short walk in the woods, a hammock is a perfect addition. They are lightweight, easy to pack, and comfortable for sleeping. According to your needs, hammocks can be an excellent and convenient solution.
This time, we will focus on hammocks that have a distinct lightweight advantage, which is a necessity of travelers but not only.
I have been using a hammock to sleep in while backpacking for several years, and recently started playing around with some other possible ways of setting it up. This article will introduce you to the concepts behind different types of hammock setups, and present some ideas for alternatives to traditional methods.
If you have ever gone camping or backpacking, I’m sure you have seen people sleeping in hammocks before. Hammocks allow campers (or backpackers) to stay off the cold ground and enjoy a more comfortable night’s sleep during their trip. The ridgeline that holds up your tarp is also a great place to hang your lightweight nylon hammock from too!
When we head into the woods we take about 7 liters of water each in our packs, plus some extra. This makes up most of the weight that we carry in addition to all the things you need for shelter and safety. That brings up an important question when it comes to hammock camping…
One dilemma with using hammocks is whether or not they are considered a “legal” form of shelter when backpacking in certain areas. This may depend on where exactly you are traveling, but it is worth knowing ahead of time if your campsite requires you to use a tent instead. Some places have designated sites for people who just use tarps, so be sure to find out before making assumptions!
You can also incorporate your hammock into your shelter strategy depending on what conditions to expect. If it is going to be raining during the day, you can use your hammock as an ” inner nest” while keeping your gear all in the tarp’s dry storage. This way you stay completely dry and enjoy hanging out at camp for a bit while waiting out storms or breaks in the weather.
Although this may not be something that everyone does, I sometimes like setting up my hammock inside of my tent. That way, when it gets too hot during the day I’m not sweating away inside of my shelter while trying to get some shuteye before continuing with our hike. It also gives me the ability to sleep next to my partner if they are also using a tent instead of a hammock, which is nice.
When it comes to choosing a lightweight hammock, there are several options available on the market. Some of these include:
Some people also use household items like pool noodles or golf umbrellas for creating “spreader bars” which keep the sides of the hammock open and more stable when sleeping in them.
Materials that you will need:
Poles (tree branches work best)
Rope (not too thick)
Tarps with ridgelines already attached can be very helpful in some situations, but you can always just make your own out of some extra cordage if needed! You can also hang your nylon hammock over your ridgeline to create a little bit of a “front porch” area.
Be creative when it comes to finding things you can use for hanging your hammock from in the backcountry! This guide shows how some people have been able to make their suspension system by learning how to bend and weave tree branches together. It also demonstrates another way of setting up a ridgeline using sling ropes…
In this next photo, someone has set up an advanced rigging system that incorporates a well-balanced ridgeline with three attachment points on both the front and back of the shelter. The black cord coming down from near the center tie out is what creates a custom foot stirrup and spreader bar which prevents sagging while keeping things nice and open inside.
So, if you plan on taking a lightweight hammock with you when backpacking or camping, make sure to take some time and practice setting it up before leaving home. This way everything is nice and streamlined for later when it is dark and late at night…
Outdoor recreation, hiking, camping
This article describes how tarps can also be used as shelters that are suitable for backpacking or hiking.
When choosing a tarp shelter, there are several things to consider depending on your needs. However, most people who use tarps do so because they are lighter than tents (which can make them easier to carry) while still providing far superior protection from the elements compared to a regular old sleeping bag. They also allow you to see the stars at night and generally offer a lot more “livability” by giving you extra room to work with!
