Going to ground

[HomesteaderWB]

All very good info, thanks much. The main problem I encountered was regulations. At two places the park "rangers" just wouldn't permit it, in spite of me showing that it wouldn't damage the trees. I even had a Tensa Solo with me but wasn't permitted to attach to a tree at all. I did think about tying off to my bike, but that idea just seemed too fraught with potential problems.

I actually bought two of the Solo poles, but gave one to a friend. Maybe I should try to get it back and carry both.

[cmoulder]

If I know I will have to GtG, I carry a short/wide (47"x25") air mat to augment the hammock setup.

This was necessary in the heavily regulated Baxter State Park when friends and I stayed at a campsite where tents and hammocks are strictly forbidden... you must sleep in the shelter.

When the temps reach more than a few degrees below 0°F I GtG. I'm primarily (as in 99.44%) a backpacker, and hammock kit for seriously sub zero starts getting pretty heavy and too voluminous for my 62L pack. Also, the weather at those temps can be quite nasty and it's nice to have serious wind protection and a sheltered space for firing up the stove, so I use my MLD Duomid for those few trips... maybe 2-3 per winter.

[Smckinney0031]

You buy a tensa stand and never have to go to ground again!

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[G-Rat]

"In 12 years of hammock camping, I have never had to go to ground. I see no reason why I would ever have to go to ground"

Have you spent much time in the American Southwest where there are large tracts without suitable trees? If so, please share your trade secrets as the OP requested.

[Salt]

You buy a tensa stand and never have to go to ground again!

This is basically my thinking. A big part of why I finally registered on the forum was to ask questions about making a more bikepack friendly tensahedron stand.

[Smckinney0031]

This is basically my thinking. A big part of why I finally registered on the forum was to ask questions about making a more bikepack friendly tensahedron stand.

Honestly it is much easier to just buy the tensa 4 than to try to make your own

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[Salt]

Sure, and it is SOOO tempting, but it is also ~13lbs which means I'd probably not want to carry it on a couple of the 50+ mile/day rides I'd like to make. Yes, the Tensa Solo is ~3lbs and I could probably rig my bike as the second stand, but if I can make one out of carbon fiber, it should be < 4lbs total...

[Bob-W]

I mainly bikepack so managing weight (and bulk) is important. When *everything* has to fit in 20 litres of space you make sure it's going to work!

Have a tarp that works if you go to ground, you just need a pole or two. Figure out one or two pitches that you can remember rather trying to learn every possible variant. An inflatable mat, I've an Exped Synmat, weighs around 400g and is the only actual "extra" bit of kit you need.

[SilvrSurfr]

"In 12 years of hammock camping, I have never had to go to ground. I see no reason why I would ever have to go to ground"

Have you spent much time in the American Southwest where there are large tracts without suitable trees? If so, please share your trade secrets as the OP requested.

My trade secret is that I won't go camping in the American Southwest because there are frequently no trees in many spots. I also don't camp above tree line because, again, there are no trees. It's pretty easy to avoid places with no trees if you plan properly.

[Runsalone]

My trade secret is that I won't go camping in the American Southwest because there are frequently no trees in many spots. I also don't camp above tree line because, again, there are no trees. It's pretty easy to avoid places with no trees if you plan properly.

You’re missing the not a forest for the no trees.