[pct-l] Hammock on the PCT

[Kevin Cook]

Hi Shawn

I've used my hammocks in horrendous mosquitoes. I've experimented with 2
styles. The first style used a bug net that draped over a ridgeline. The
advantage of this style is the ability to pitch without a tarp, and it uses
less netting and therefore is lighter. The other style uses netting walls
that velcro around the perimeter of the tarp. The advantage of this style is
a tremendous amount of bug-free living space. My experimental version is big
enough for 2 hikers and a dog. It doesn't way too much, but definitely more
than the other style. It is bulky though. I carry it in a compression sack
to minimize this. I'm definitely leaning towards carrying this style. I will
probably make a lighter version though.

I've never experienced the problem of mosquitoes getting me through the
bottom of the hammock. I use a pad inside the hammock. I've use closed cell
foam and a therma rest. Both provided complete protection. Of course with
the net wall style of tarp, this isn't an issue.

I haven't thru hiked the PCT yet either, but I did ask on this list about
this several years ago. A hiker named Ronnie, from Isreal, responded to me
that there were very few nights he couldn't hang his hammock. He did concede
that he would hike a couple miles longer sometimes to find a good spot with
trees. Some might react to this with concern, but is that different from
sleeping in a tent? I've used a hammock for many years now. I find that
hammock suitable sites are far more common then ground based sites. Ronnie
only had issues in socal. I've spent a lot of time in the Sierras, and I
never had any problem finding a place suitable for a hammock. It's easy
enough to camp below treeline. If you really must camp above treeline to
setup for the following day, then you aren't any worse off then anyone else
sleeping on the ground. Again, an argument for the tarp with net walls.

If you prefer to use a hammock, then use one! I've converted several of my
backpacking companions to hammocking. I'm not sure what keeps folks on the
ground. ;)

On Sat, Nov 13, 2010 at 4:29 PM, Shawn Hudson <shizaquawn at gmail.com> wrote:

> Not having hiked the PCT before, I invite everyone to correct me, but isn't
> most of the Trail through California above treeline? I wonder about the
> viability of a hammock, unless of course you don't mind using it like a
> bivouac. Last suggestion is to definitely bring the bug netting. I may not
> have hiked it yet, but I've watched enough movies and YouTube to know the
> mosquitoes are going to be treacherous in certain areas. And having
> hammocked on the AT (Hennessey), I had the wonderful experience of trying
> to
> get a good night's sleep while hundreds of mosquitoes landed on the bottom
> of my hammock and plunged their suckers right through the material.
> Sleeping
> pad helped a little, but not nearly enough.
>
> I've also grown concerned about bugs. My sleep system is a hammock and tarp
> setup that I made myself. They work great, but I'm considering making new
> ones. I have one tarp that I made bug netting walls that attach with
> velcro.
> It's not too heavy, but it is very bulky. When I made it a few years ago,
> it
> was a proof of concept experiment, so I used inexpensive bug netting. It
> worked so well though, that I have taken it on several backpacking trips
> now. I'm considering making a new setup, but there is some cost and time
> involved.
>
> --
> ~ Kevin
> Soon To Be PCT Thru Hiker!
> "The indoor life is the next best thing to premature burial." Edward Abbey
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-- 
~ Kevin
Soon To Be PCT Thru Hiker!
"The indoor life is the next best thing to premature burial." Edward Abbey