Our Hammocks provide the maximum relaxation,so let the fine swinging motion and everlasting floating midair begin
Use
on the Ground
My
hammock system can be used on the ground when
the need arises. Maybe I want to stay with friends
who are tent camping in an area without suitable
trees, or I'm in a treeless area, or temperatures
unexpectedly drop below my comfort level. My hammock
camping system is easily adapted for use on the
ground.
The
hammock and bug net now serve as a bivy sack for
the sleeping bag and the canopy is pitched overhead
as a tarp using hiking poles as support. Sturdy
sticks, generally easily found on the forest floor,
can be substituted for the hiking poles. The canopy's
eight-by-ten foot size is more than sufficient
for a snug and dry ground shelter.
The sleep pad, used as bottom insulation in the
hanging hammock, now becomes cushioning for my
bed on the ground.The only additional item needed
for ground use is a lightweight ground cloth.
Since it is seldom used, my ground cloth is a
2.7 ounce four-by-ten foot piece of clear plastic
(1 mil thick painters' drop cloth available at
most hardware stores). Yes, it is fragile, but
it functions well and can easily be replaced if
damaged.
Note
that this ground cloth must be carried throughout
the trip, thus it is also available for use as
backup rain protection for the tree-hanging hammock.
Although I have yet to use the ground cloth for
rain protection, I have used it as a vapor barrier
around the hammock as described How To Stay Warm".
