Hammock Camping Introduction

There's a journ' that leads to happin ess,
Past the beaten path we know.
It's on our list called "one of these days,"
But we never stop…to go.

Welcome to the exciting new world of hammock camping! Obviously you are reading this book because of your curiosity; maybe you've already considered hammocks, but didn't know where to go for more information. Whether you want to make your own hammock, buy an existing one, or just want to know how to use the new camping hammocks, this book is for you.

Good News!A properly made camping hammock is like a "waterbed cocoon in the air." It's as comfortable as a waterbed; and, like a cozy cocoon, it is a complete secure shelter. Of course you are skeptical, but keep reading!

One of my biggest reasons for going to the wilderness, and probably one of yours too, is to "smooth it." It's certainly not to "rough it". Camping hammocks are a major step in that direction. Sleeping in a hammock has a soothing and royal quality that is lacking in the more conventional outdoor habit of sleeping on the ground. Chapter 1, "The Joy and Comfort of Hammock Camping," is for everyone who seeks greater comfort in the backcountry.

Get off the Ground!So, get off the ground for a truly comfortable night sleeping in the outdoors! Forget about crawling around on your hands and knees and coping with rocks, roots, brush, and wet or uneven ground beneath your bed. Forget snakes, slugs, spiders, bees, ticks, logs, mud, briers, cacti, poisonous plants, rats, mice, chipmunks, dogs, cats, foxes, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, and even porcupines!

Sleeping in the air puts you above these problems. Anyone who has ever had to deal with free-roaming dogs, or even other campers' pets, will also appreciate the security of a hammock. This book is for everyone who wants to say goodbye to unwanted camp critters.

FreedomHammock camping is fun, comfortable, and extremely convenient. Chapter 2, "The Convenience of Hammock Camping," should convince you. Imagine the freedom of making camp where you want, rather than the typical crowded and/or overused tent campsites. The possibilities are unlimited in forested terrain where literally millions of suitable sites beckon the hammock camper. In fact, the vast majority of our wilderness destinations are forested and thus suitable for hammock camping. For hammock use in treeless areas, see the alternate ideas presented elsewhere in this book.

No Trace CampingHammocks reduce, and can even eliminate, the overuse and abuse so typical of many of our backcountry tent campsites. A properly used hammock leaves no adverse impact on the environment and is the ultimate Leave No Trace camping shelter. I've devoted an entire chapter to this issue: Chapter 4, "Hammock Camping is Environmentally Friendly," explains hammocks as a better way to travel in the backcountry. If you are interested in reducing your wilderness impact, this book can help.

Not all hammocks however, are suitable for our use. While many comfortable hammocks are available on the market today, only a few qualify as suitable camping hammocks. This book will help you find the right one.

The overnight or extended backcountry traveler demands more from a hammock than the backyard user. He/She must have a dependable shelter, one that provides adequate protection from the various conditions encountered or expected during the outing. Only a very small number of hammocks available for purchase today meet the wilderness travelers' needs. In this book, you will find reviews of these hammocks (Chapter 7) plus make-your-own instructions for a highly successful, field-tested hammock (Chapter 6).

Hammocks vs. Camping HammocksMany hammocks can be adapted for wilderness use by adding a rain tarp and a bug net. Ordinary hammocks and suitable camping hammocks however, can be distinguished on the basis of:

ComfortWhile there are many advantages to hammock camping, comfort is at the top of my list. The hammock designs in this book are extremely comfortable. This comfort is a feature of the hammocks' design, i.e., their shape, size and fabric. Proper hanging, which is easily mastered, is also critical to user comfort.

The extended outdoor traveler never knows when he/she might be delayed in camp and confined to the hammock for periods of time longer than overnight. I once spent 36 hours in my hammock while storm bound on a lake in Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota. On another occasion, high winds prevented me from leaving a small sea island in the Florida Everglades for two days. In both cases, the camp time was spent comfortably lounging in the hammock and reading a good book. Similar camp time in a tent or under a tarp on the ground quickly becomes an unpleasant ordeal.

SafetySafety in a hammock is obviously critical. No one can rest, much less sleep, in a hammock while worried about being dumped on the ground. When occupied, my hammock is designed to hang below its center of gravity; therefore it is not prone to tip over. In fact, it takes extra effort to get out of it! In addition, the hammock materials, while being lightweight, are selected and tested to be strong enough to carry the occupant's weight without instilling fear of failure. Chapter 5, "Hammock Camping Safety," explains some safety concerns of interest to all hammock users.

BugsThe adequate camping hammock should have suitable bug protection. My hammock has a bug proof solid fabric bottom and no-see-um bug netting on top. More than once I've been driven into my hammock by hoards of mosquitoes, no-see-ums, or biting black flies. It's nice to know my hammock offers protection while still being comfortable. The net can be easily detached on either side for getting in or out, or for using the hammock as a handy lounge chair!

The bug net is certainly nice to have during bug season; however, it's not always necessary. For those times when bugs are not a problem, the net can be removed and left at home. On a recent seven-month hike, I slept without the bug net more than 70% of the time. The bug net weighs about six ounces, which is significant to backpackers concerned with reducing pack weight.

Storm ProtectionAdequate rain protection is also important to the comfort of a camping hammock. My hammock has a wide rain canopy that extends well beyond the hammock itself. This makes a surprisingly practical stand-up shelter! The eight-by-ten foot canopy provides ample rain and wind protection while allowing the camper to be outside the hammock itself. This is convenient for sitting in the hammock, getting in or out of the hammock, changing clothes while standing, loading or unloading the pack, and even cooking a meal! If really foul weather is expected, the canopy can be lowered for even more protection.

Cold Weather UseHammocks become less comfortable as the temperature drops, eventually reaching a point at which it is warmer to sleep on the ground. The adequate camping hammock system therefore, like mine, must provide for sleeping on the ground. It's probably best to avoid hammocks in sub-zero temperatures unless you are willing to carry considerable additional weight in insulating gear.

Multiple UsesMy hammock system is multi-use and designed for ground use should adequate supports not be available or the temperatures unexpectedly drop below my comfort level. At such times, the hammock becomes a bivy sack and the canopy is pitched just as a normal tarp would be.

Some of my trail-tested gear and techniques however, can safely extend the cold weather use of the hammock. Insulating sleep pads and sleeping bags rigged around the hammock can be used to keep warm as the seasonal, storm or alpine temperatures unexpectedly drop. This is such an important innovation that an entire chapter is devoted to staying warm; everything you need to know can be found in Chapter 3, "How To Stay Warm."

LightweightWeighting only two to three pounds, camping hammocks offer an obvious advantage over heavier tents. There simply is no better way to lighten one's pack weight without compromising camp comfort, security or convenience.

The features mentioned above are covered in more detail elsewhere in this book. It is these features, born of actual backcountry experience, that make my hammock camping system uniquely suited for the adventure traveler.

Make Your Own!You too can make your own highly practical camping hammock following the directions given in this book. Chapter 6, "How To Make Your Own Hammock" gives you everything you need to know. Make you own complete hammock camping system and start enjoying the backcountry all over again.

Buying a HammockNot interested in making your own hammock? You can still participate in the new camping system by purchasing a camping hammock. Chapter 7, "How To Buy a Hammock," has everything you need to know to make a wise decision.

Web SiteFor more information on hammock camping, check out the following web site: www.hammockcamping.com.

Additional InformationAppendix 1 lists the unique features of the Speer complete wilderness hammock camping solution. Appendix 2 summarizes information given elsewhere in this book. Appendix 3 lists some of the numerous Internet sources for hammock information, manufactures, sellers and users. Appendix 4 explains some of the Leave No Trace principles for wise outdoor use.

This Book is for YouWhether you are looking for a general use camping hammock with secure comfort in mind or an extremely lightweight one for marathon hiking, this book will help. Whether you decide to purchase a hammock or make your own, all the information can be found here. Whether you are looking for tips on how or where to use a hammock, how to stay warm in a hammock, or how to camp more in harmony with nature, this book is your ultimate guide to happily hoisting yourself off the ground.