Going to Ground???

**Zac.Files** · 03-14-2017, 20:30

Hi fellow Hammockers!!
We all dread the night when we are forced to abandon our hanging, clouds of luxury and go to the cold, hard, unforgiving ground for lack of trees. I am wondering two things: one, what do you do when you are forced to "go to ground", what are your solutions or tips and tricks and, second, is there some way that we could alleviate the pain and suffering of "going to ground" by carrying something extra (preferably light) like a short pad or otherwise??
All thoughts and ideas are appreciated
Thanks, Zach

**TrailSlug** · 03-14-2017, 20:32

I personally do not go anywhere where this will happen so I do not worry about going to ground. If you think you may have to go then you will need to carry a either a closed cell form pad or air pad for a ground barrier. These vary depending on the temps you are camping in.

**Tikker** · 03-14-2017, 20:35

that's the only time where the amok is always better than a gathered end, heh

**ShortRound** · 03-14-2017, 20:46

Originally Posted by Zac.Files

Hi fellow Hammockers!!
We all dread the night when we are forced to abandon our hanging, clouds of luxury and go to the cold, hard, unforgiving ground for lack of trees. I am wondering two things: one, what do you do when you are forced to "go to ground", what are your solutions or tips and tricks and, second, is there some way that we could alleviate the pain and suffering of "going to ground" by carrying something extra (preferably light) like a short pad or otherwise??
All thoughts and ideas are appreciated
Thanks, Zach

I actually am preparing to do some bike packing & although there is an abundance of trees here on the east coast i too thought about what would i do if i had to go to ground. I rummaged around the internet checking out cottage vendors that make bivys. Then i stumbled across Molly Mac Gear. John MacEntyre makes a Bivy hammock. So you can carry 3 systems in one around at all times should you ever have to go to the ground. I actually just bought a bivy hammock from MacEntyre & it's awesome. I had him add a zipper & an extra grosgrain loop by the knee for bivy mode.

With all that said on my summer trips i will experiment just taking a pad & using it in both modes. I have pics in my gallery of this stealth black bivy hammock.. Hope that helps. Link below

http://www.outdoortrailgear.com/feat...-bivy-hammock/

**TxAggie** · 03-14-2017, 20:48

Good idea to have a backup plan. I'm still transitioning to hammock camping, so I'm not adverse to going to ground if need be. Part of my pack will include a tyvek sheet or a space blanket that I can use as a footprint to lay the hammock on. If you don't have a pad, your underquilt will still provide some level of cushioning. I don't normally use trekking poles, but this is the primary reason why I might start when I officially transition to 100% hammock. There are plenty of videos up showing how to tent camp using a hammock, most focus on the Hennessy, but I imagine you could make it work with most any hammock. Worse comes to worse, you're now officially tarp camping.

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**zukiguy** · 03-14-2017, 20:55

People ask this question often and I keep thinking about it but have managed to avoid that situation for at least the last 10 years. I've never failed to find two hanging points. Granted, once it was between a tractor roll bar and a tree. Several times it's been between my truck's roof rack and a tree/post. A few have been inside pavilions so I was fortunate enough to be "inside" but still hanging. I just finished a bipod-style hammock stand for those big car-camping trips with the kids where we're stuck in the middle of an open field. It becomes both my hammock structure and during the day a dining fly/awning.

The point is....unless there's some barren windswept scenic vista that you just "must" sleep on I can't imagine a situation where I'm going to willingly "go to ground". If my suspension/hammock snaps and absolutely can't rig something back together then I'll put my tyvek groundsheet down on a pile of forest duff and snuggle up for the night.

**pgibson** · 03-14-2017, 21:05

Just say no to the ground. 8 years hammocking in the west where lots of folks think there is no trees or other options and yet not a single night on the ground.

The first rule of Hammock Club is: You do not go to ground.

The second rule of Hammock Club is: YOU DO NOT GO TO GROUND!

The third rule of Hammock Club is: Someone yells stop, goes limp, taps out, it's nap time.

The forth rule: Only one hammock to a set of trees.

Fifth rule: One hammock at a time fellas.

Sixth rule: No sharp objects or shoes in the hammock

Seventh rule: Naps will go on as long as they have to.

Eighth and final rule: If this is your first night at Hammock Club....You have to nap.

**Kroma** · 03-14-2017, 23:16

Originally Posted by pgibson

The forth rule: Only one hammock to a set of trees

I guess double chameleon's are out of the club then...

**Kroma** · 03-14-2017, 23:23

Originally Posted by Zac.Files

what do you do when you are forced to "go to ground"

How is it that one becomes "forced" to go to the ground?

When you go camping or backpacking are you not familiar with the terrain of the planned route?

Since you should already know the terrain you're headed into there is no reason to be "forced" into anything.

**SilvrSurfr** · 03-14-2017, 23:53

I'm going on seven years without going to ground. I have a folded ccf pad that is the frame of my frameless pack, so I could always use that as a ground pad but I've never needed it.