Leave gear up or take it down everyday?

[JT4446]

Looking for some advice. Will be camping multiple days in State Parks/Trails next week. Will be working and camping instead of staying in a hotel.

Will try to set up in a secluded area. Would any of you even consider not breaking down and packing up each day? Will be away from my gear for most of the day.

Thanks for the help!

[TrailSlug]

It depends on where you will be hanging and I would have always said leave it up in the past but in the last year or so there have been a few reports of hangers getting their gear stolen. Considering the cost of a complete hammock setup can easily run near or over $1000 I'd say pack it up.

[SilvrSurfr]

I have too much money in my gear to leave it up unsupervised. I don't know what I would do if I came back to find my gear gone.

[zukiguy]

I like my "lazy slug tube" for my hammock and a set of snakeskins for the tarp. With the pair I can set up or tear down in a minute if I really rush once everything is set for the hanging distance. Rather than having to totally break down you can simply slide the slug tube down, disconnect the suspension from the trees, and cram the whole setup into a big dry bag. When you get home do the reverse so setting up is really fast and easy. Don't risk your shelter system going for a walk....

[IRONFISH45]

Absolutely, I would break camp every morning.

Awhile back there was an interesting thread about dealing with theft of gear. You might want to do a search. Really an interesting thread, both sides of the issue were well represented.

All sorts of people use State Parks. My family and I no longer feel safe in State Parks here on the West Coast.

Leaving your gear in an out of the way spot would really encourage theft if an inquiring person found the stash.

[Chard]

I'd tear down camp each day. Gear's just too expensive to replace. To make it easier, just stuff your hammock, quilts and ridgeline night-time hammock gear into a duffel bag; tarp separately in strong garbage bag (in case it gets wet). I do that when car camping and it works great. A little heavy to set back up, but whatever.

[JT4446]

Thanks everyone. Confirms my thinking.

[soul embrace]

one thing to do if the park is full become friends with your neighbors and they may keep an eye on your stuff and if someone comes in your site they'll speak up. I've always just left my stuff up at my local state park, in a state park in Georgia and Virginia

[IRONFISH45]

My Lazy Slug from SIMPLY Light Designs really makes fast work of breaking camp. Everything goes in the Lazy Slug unless dampness is a issue.

[soul embrace]

one other thing when in state parks might want to check because some requires you to set up your stuff as soon as you check in and probably wants you to have something set up the whole time you are there. so if you do plan on picking up the everyday in the park you may want to take a cheap tent or hammock so you have something set up when you are gone