Hammock camping on the AT

**RunNHang** · 07-29-2018, 21:25

I was fortunate enough to get out on the AT for two backpacking trips in July. I spent 3 nights in the Mount Rogers area in southwest VA and then 2 nights hiking the triple crown in central VA. There were numerous wildlife sightings, and some amazing views. Sadly, I forgot to take photos of the hammock set up! But I stayed dry and comfortable despite rain, blackberry thorns, and slanted campsites.

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**HandyRandy** · 07-29-2018, 21:37

Wow, I need to get over there! I’d love to sleep in THAT!

**Big Flounder** · 07-30-2018, 04:47

Man that is some pretty country right there!

**RunNHang** · 07-30-2018, 06:00

That third photo is a meadow on a narrow ridge where were slept. Man, it was beautiful, but super windy all night. My wife was in the big Warbonnet tarp with doors and didn’t feel it at all. My humble hex did a pretty decent job with a tight pitch. I had a few wind gusts get between the hammock and the UQ, but it actually felt pretty good being summer. And helped me improve my UQ technique.

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**TallPaul** · 07-30-2018, 06:42

Sounds like a great time. Enjoyed the pics.
Grayson has tested my gear in the past - I’ve had to make a few purchases after experiencing the wind.

**WoodlandNightHawk** · 07-30-2018, 07:10

What was the weather like? Highs? Lows?

**RunNHang** · 07-30-2018, 09:09

We hit mid-80s at Mount Rogers/Grayson Highlands, but we had rain and some overcast days so it wasn’t too bad. Nights got into the 50s. I was under my 40 degree TQ but did a good amount of venting.

Central VA was warmer. I think mid to high 80s and sunny during the days. Nights we’re in the 60s and I mostly slept with my UQ only half on and my TQ basically just in the hammock with me. I really would have appreciated a lighter UQ on that trip.

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**RunNHang** · 07-30-2018, 09:11

Originally Posted by TallPaul

Sounds like a great time. Enjoyed the pics.
Grayson has tested my gear in the past - I’ve had to make a few purchases after experiencing the wind.

I definitely can see it becoming an issue at another time of year. Did you get a larger tarp to help out?

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**TallPaul** · 07-30-2018, 10:01

Originally Posted by RunNHang

I definitely can see it becoming an issue at another time of year. Did you get a larger tarp to help out?

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I had a Superfly already so I was covered there. I often camp on high ridges and like the coverage of the larger tarp. And not having to worry about site selection as much.
The two items I got later were snakeskins and a 40* UQ.
The snakeskins were because the wind was blowing the tarp like crazy and setting up was a challenge. And I later realized I was hanging from a hawthorn tree which had 1” thorns, with my tarp flying awfully closets them. I moved spots after seeing that.
The UQ was because it was actually warm up there and created an interesting situation. The wind made it so I was cold if I vented my 20* UQ (even under the Superfly I felt the gusts) but I was too hot if the UQ was snugged up.