Down at the Crag with a Hammock, Not a Tent

[tesslerdavis]

Does anyone have any experience camping in Korea with a hammock instead of a tent?

What are the pros and cons?

I've got my eye on this one (http://www.thetravelhammock.com/ProdDetails.aspx?prodId=65), but am open to recommendations.

[skinsk]

Done both. . . with a tarp a hammock can even survive some rain. That said,I'd advise anyone to get a comfortable, easy to set up hammock and tarp and mosquito net if you want to use it for the season. The hammock in your link looks nicer than the ones I've slept in, but I always did it as an alternative to a tent on the choicests of places and times. In the worst of seasons, you can share get a cheap tent or minbak. Most camping areas have trees.

The cons? you'd still need trees (not good if you take refuge under an overhang) . . . but you could always bale to somewhere else. And would you take your pack in there with you (or gear?) or secure it outside?

[TLayne]

Get it.

I got this one http://hennessyhammock.com/specs-explorerUL.html

Pros: Light weight (under 600 grams for the HYPERLITE BACKPACKER)
Can set it up over rocky or uneven terrain (no more roots or rocks in your ***)
More comfortable than sleeping on the ground imo.
Packs up small. No poles or stakes.

Cons: If you're in a desert or above the tree line.
Not much room for many people :p
If youre going to use it in the winter you will need to buy this
http://hennessyhammock.com/specs_undercoverandunerpad_small.html
Also you will need this to stay dry in hurricane force winds and rain
http://hennessyhammock.com/specs_70hexdfly.html

I'd say get it. It's very light and takes up hardly any room in your pack.

I would get this one http://hennessyhammock.com/specs-hyperlite.html
600 grams and packs to the size of your hand.

[Eric]

My brother-in-law uses one and really likes it.

Pros:
Leaves no trace
lightweight
easy to pack
there's usually more trees than flat ground at crags in korea so easier to set up

Cons:
Can't cook in them
Can't cram an extra person in one
Difficult to change clothes/put shoes on/pack backpack while inside
If you have a lot of other gear, not good for keeping that stuff dry
Could be difficult to 'pitch your tent' next to your friends at a place like ganhyeon where there are fewer trees in the camping area.

[tesslerdavis]

Thanks for the replies. Real food for thought.

I'm happy to hear that there are lots of trees at most crags, so that's one worry off my list.

But I'll have to add "no place to change clothes," which I hadn't even thought about. Securing the rest of my gear is another worry, but I'd likely just keep it under the hammock's tarp wrapped in plastic.

That hennessy stuff sure looks nice, but the prices in Korea are a bit out of my range.

Thanks again for the info. I'm still undecided, but now feel like it's more likely I'll end up making an informed decision.

[Canadian Grizzly]

A couple things. First, you can fit another person in some hammocks. i'm a bigger fella and have had another person in the hammock with me on more than one occassion. It's cozy, but sometimes that's a good thing!

Secondly, you can change in one, but it requires a little bit of effort.

Also, you can get kinda chilly in the shoulder seasons, but I've found that if you put a blanket or sleeping pad under your sleeping bag it usually does the trick.

Enjoy

[mosahlah]

I've slept in quite a few hammocks, and I've made a few. If you have a few yards of canvas, and some 5mm nylon cordage, you can make a bomber hammock. Just tie a good knot. Also, if your heading to the jungle anytime, USE A HAMMOCK. Hammocks rock in the heat. And a small fire nearby with repel the skitters. Hammocks suck in the cold. The pad works fine, and its fun trying to get in it. A sleeping bag helps, and is also fun getting in and out. Happy camping.