First Hammock Trip

**T_Rav** · 09-01-2021, 14:20

Every year I make at least one trip to the Wind River Range in Wyoming. I’ve been going to different spots within the Winds since my early teens. However, once I hit 40, sleeping on the ground just wasn’t comfortable anymore.

This led me to look into hammocking. Being an ultralight guy, I immediately shied away after learning it would add to my overall pack weight. But eventually I came around and gave it a try for the first time this year.

I was a bit nervous about being cold or just uncomfortable since I didn’t get a chance to test much before taking my annual Winds trip. I studied up on the forum and YouTube and just went all-in with it. But everything turned out great. Slept better than I have in years and no cold spots. I’m officially converted. The extra weight was well worth it.

First ever hanging spot. There was so much beetle kill everywhere, it was the only spot that wasn’t surrounded by dead trees. You can see my “just-in-case” z-lite in the event I ended up on the ground (was camping close to tree line in one spot) or needed extra warmth while trying to figure out how to adjust an underquilt. Although I didn’t “need” it, I used it a lot as a seat or napping pad.

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Few other hanging spots.

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Obligatory scenic shots.

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And finally, why I go to the winds.

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**ofuros** · 09-01-2021, 15:20

Fooling trout & hammock camping...thumbs up. Beautiful looking area.
Thanks for sharing your 1st hammock trip, T_Rav...hopefully there's many more in the future.

**xMagnolia** · 09-01-2021, 15:56

WOW! That's a beautiful place. Did you eat the fish? Isn't nice to be able to wake up refreshed and ready to go without your knees and back having a conversation with you?
Thanks for sharing your pictures.

Charlotte

**dkurfiss** · 09-01-2021, 16:50

Really good write up and loved the pictures. Hope that trout was dinner

**ObdewlaX** · 09-01-2021, 21:16

Awesome post, trip report & pics. Beautiful area you were in and love the trout catch... he looks sizable. I've dabbled with Tenkara on a few small streams but need to be a little more dedicated. I'd like to see if I can catch a meal on a future trip at some point.

Thanks for posting.

**Rouskof** · 09-02-2021, 16:33

It looks like you're well geared for a first trip, congrats !

**Hang Williams** · 09-02-2021, 18:52

Fantastic. I'm planning to go out there next year. I'm hoping to catch some fish like that. Glad to hear you didn't need the pad. That's the thing I'm most worried about for my trip since it's so hard to tell from satellite images whether the trees are conducive to hanging. Did you find you needed the tarp doors or did you get away with keeping them tied back?

**T_Rav** · 09-02-2021, 20:10

Thanks guys. It was a great trip and lots of good size fish. I actually didn’t eat any fish this trip though. There were fire restrictions and I’m not a fan of cooking fish on a small canister stove.

I’ll make up for it next year.

**T_Rav** · 09-02-2021, 20:14

Originally Posted by Hang Williams

Fantastic. I'm planning to go out there next year. I'm hoping to catch some fish like that. Glad to hear you didn't need the pad. That's the thing I'm most worried about for my trip since it's so hard to tell from satellite images whether the trees are conducive to hanging. Did you find you needed the tarp doors or did you get away with keeping them tied back?

Because it was my first time using the tarp, I did some experimenting with the doors. I quickly discovered I prefer having them open, but I definitely see the benefit if it turns windy and rainy.

I did have one spot where I had to go a ways out of my way to find trees but it wasn’t because of the small trees I feared at elevation, it was because of a burn scar where the young trees were still too small to hang on.