Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    Senior Member tandrewmalan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Location
    Tucson, AZ
    Hammock
    Jacks R Better Bear Mountain Bridge
    Tarp
    Paladin
    Insulation
    Warbonnet Lynx
    Suspension
    Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    109

    Hammock Camping the JMT

    Hello,

    I'm considering hammock camping the JMT and am playing around with my set up. People say that you get forced to the ground at Guitar Lake. Also, I'm going with two other hikers I don't want to inconvenience going over passes.

    To me this means I should swap out my UQ for a sleeping pad incase I get forced to the ground. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

    I'm worried if I get forced to the ground that the mosquitos will eat me alive since my bug net is part of my hammock. If I sleep on a pad in my sleeping bag and bring a face net do you think that would be enough to protect me?

    All thoughts and advice are welcome! Thanks for reading!

    Hmmm... also I have a quilt so they might be able to get under the bottom of it.
    Last edited by tandrewmalan; 05-15-2022 at 22:41.

  2. #2
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2021
    Location
    Huntsville, AL
    Hammock
    Dutchware Chameleon
    Tarp
    Hammock Gear Quest
    Insulation
    HG Incubator
    Suspension
    Beetle Buckles
    Posts
    57
    There are ways to ground pitch. There are multiple videos on youtube with different approaches. Shug's is a good place to start:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j54vMKGhiQ
    If you normally take hiking poles, you can use them to set up your tarp and bug net to keep the mosquitos out. As part of their Hammock Camping Trail Badge, my sons (who are in the Trail Life scouting program) spent the night in a ground-pitch setting with bugnet and all.

    That said, I'm looking forward to hearing how things go for you. The JMT is on my bucket list!

  3. #3
    Senior Member cmoulder's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Ossining, NY
    Hammock
    DH Darien, SLD Tree Runner
    Tarp
    HG hex
    Insulation
    Timmermade, Revolt
    Suspension
    Kevlar, Lapp Hitch
    Posts
    4,912
    Images
    356
    docbrown's advice is good.

    But you definitely want to trail-test your hammock with a sleep mat vs UQ. Early on I tried both air and CCF mats with the hammock and found them totally unworkable for me. Uncomfortable, inefficient and hard to get them to stay in position, especially the air mat.

    Personally, I'd carry some sort of minimalist air mat such as the Thermarest uberlite torso length at about 6 oz *and* the UQ. That way I might spend a couple of nights marginally comfortable on the ground instead of being very uncomfortable for 10-12 or more nights in the hammock.
    Five Basic Principles of Going Lighter (not me... the great Cam Honan of OZ)
    “If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.” ~ Gen. George S Patton

  4. #4
    Senior Member tandrewmalan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2016
    Location
    Tucson, AZ
    Hammock
    Jacks R Better Bear Mountain Bridge
    Tarp
    Paladin
    Insulation
    Warbonnet Lynx
    Suspension
    Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    109
    Quote Originally Posted by docbrown View Post
    There are ways to ground pitch. There are multiple videos on youtube with different approaches. Shug's is a good place to start:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j54vMKGhiQ
    If you normally take hiking poles, you can use them to set up your tarp and bug net to keep the mosquitos out. As part of their Hammock Camping Trail Badge, my sons (who are in the Trail Life scouting program) spent the night in a ground-pitch setting with bugnet and all.

    That said, I'm looking forward to hearing how things go for you. The JMT is on my bucket list!
    Nice I didn't think of laying the hammock on the ground and using it a bug net. That should work just fine!

  5. #5
    Senior Member Otter1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    FL
    Hammock
    DIY Hexon 1.0, Hexon 1.6
    Tarp
    WB Mountainfly
    Insulation
    HG UQ's, EE TQ
    Suspension
    Dutch Mantis
    Posts
    2,669
    Quote Originally Posted by cmoulder View Post
    docbrown's advice is good.

    But you definitely want to trail-test your hammock with a sleep mat vs UQ. Early on I tried both air and CCF mats with the hammock and found them totally unworkable for me. Uncomfortable, inefficient and hard to get them to stay in position, especially the air mat.

    Personally, I'd carry some sort of minimalist air mat such as the Thermarest uberlite torso length at about 6 oz *and* the UQ. That way I might spend a couple of nights marginally comfortable on the ground instead of being very uncomfortable for 10-12 or more nights in the hammock.
    I would do this as well. And I generally try to go light, but the Uberlite is a great addition.

  6. #6
    dakotaross's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Chamblee, GA
    Hammock
    SuperiorGear or Dutch netless
    Tarp
    custom pentagon
    Insulation
    down hammock or UQ
    Suspension
    Dutch Mantis
    Posts
    3,081
    Images
    19
    If using the bear mountain bridge as listed on your profile, then probably no need to test it out with the pad as I assume you’ve already been using one at times. Just need to practice tying out the tarp and getting that setup detailed as it takes some practice to know how you would like to set it up. Might also want to add a bathtub ground cloth.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    "I wonder if anyone else has an ear so tuned and sharpened as I have, to detect the music, not of the spheres, but of earth, subtleties of major and minor chord that the wind strikes upon the tree branches. Have you ever heard the earth breathe... ?"
    - Kate Chopin

  7. #7
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2021
    Location
    Huntsville, AL
    Hammock
    Dutchware Chameleon
    Tarp
    Hammock Gear Quest
    Insulation
    HG Incubator
    Suspension
    Beetle Buckles
    Posts
    57
    I started carrying a small piece (roughly 3ft x 6ft) of plastic sheeting every time I camp. I don't remember the exact thickness, but it's probably the 3mil thick black plastic sheeting from Lowes. If I need to go to ground, I have something to protect my hammock from the ground. Otherwise, I have a nice clean surface to set my pack on, spread my gear out, set my shoes on when I'm in the hammock, etc... It weighs about 1/2oz.

  8. #8
    cougarmeat's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Bend, OR
    Hammock
    WBBB, WBRR, WL LiteOwl
    Tarp
    OES, WL BullFro
    Insulation
    HG UQ, TQ, WB UQ
    Suspension
    Python Straps
    Posts
    3,758
    Here’s a proof-of-concept photo:
    ground sheet, then pad, then hammock w/built in net. Tarp is on poles and bug net is attached to pole, lifting it off your face.

    hammocktent.jpg
    Last edited by cougarmeat; 05-22-2022 at 23:46.
    In order to see what few have seen, you must go where few have gone. And DO what few have done.

  • + New Posts
  • Similar Threads

    1. Replies: 4
      Last Post: 08-26-2019, 14:32
    2. Replies: 10
      Last Post: 12-15-2017, 11:52
    3. Hammock camping tarp sunny camping optimized for hot weather?
      By weylan in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 6
      Last Post: 09-09-2014, 11:43
    4. 2011 Winter Camping Symposium...featuring Hammock Camping!!!
      By canoecountry in forum Hangouts, Campouts, and Trip Planning
      Replies: 8
      Last Post: 09-03-2011, 23:04
    5. Replies: 15
      Last Post: 07-06-2011, 04:15

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •