Hammock Camping Questions

[Mr. Gillam]

I am heading to Georgia next weekend to hike the Georgia section. While I realize that a hammock is a fine choice, I don't have a ton of experience hanging in strong winds or severe storms and am thinking about taking a tent. Should I be greatly concerned about using a hammock in these types of weather?

For the record, I plan on using my Ridgerunner hammock and a 12 foot CF tarp with doors...which leads into my second question.

Do I need shock cord on the corner tie out points or can I run a hard line? I've heard people do it both ways.

Thanks in advance.

[OCDave]

The reason for shock cord is to take up some of the stretch from the tarp when it gets wet. As your tarp is CF it will not stretch. Shock cord would be unnecessary.

[Mr. Gillam]

Would it be helpful keeping the stakes in the ground or the tarp from being destroyed in heavy winds?

The reason for shock cord is to take up some of the stretch from the tarp when it gets wet. As your tarp is CF it will not stretch. Shock cord would be unnecessary.

[OCDave]

I believe CF was developed as material for racing sail boats. Unlikely you will experience winds that will hurt it. Use appropriate stakes and secure them with rocks and logs if you are concerned. Shock cord will be wasted and will introduce the possibility that your tarp will flap in the wind where CF itself could be deployed tight enough to avoid the flap.

[old4hats]

In the Ga. section the hammock and tarp will be a joy compared to a tent. Think setting up a tent in wet ground, mud and or standing water.

[Shrewd]

Bring your hammock, my friend, don’t let the weather deter you.


I didn’t have any serious wind issues until I was in the smokies, and that was just plain poor site selection on my part - I had to stack rocks on my stakes because the wind was funneling up the mountain and turning my tarp into a sail.

I had the 11 foot hammock gear tarp without doors. You’ve got a big’un with doors.

You’ll be fine, bud. Shock cord isn’t essential but maybe would give you some trip protection if you accidentally step into a line? If you cut them the right length you could be lazy and use mitten hooks for a quick deployment (and save yourself some stakes), but you’d probably lose a bit of versatility?

Whatever you decide, hike with confidence - you’re more experienced than most hikers on the AT in Georgia

[Shug]

Take the hammock.
Embrace and learn.
Shug

[GilligansWorld]

Take the hammock.
Embrace and learn.
Shug

Not enough of us are ready to fail and learn from it - sage advice though - best lessons 4 sure

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[Shug]

Not enough of us are ready to fail and learn from it - sage advice though - best lessons 4 sure

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Only way to really learn. Like the Vikings when they got to a new land.
They burned their vessels.
Gotta commit.
The comfort and learning a good tarp pitch will be worth it.
Weather is always our nemesis.

As to the tarp, I for one like tarp tensioners. But not really needed.

[skater]

Be sure to create a rain break (Dutch bling, a shoestring, or such) to stop water from running down your suspension into your hammock.