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Shelter that doubles as hammock tarp?


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Viewing 11 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
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  • #1314059
    Rishi Sugla
    Member

    @rksugla

    Locale: Mid-Atlantic

    I was thinking about getting a shelter setup that allows me the versatility of using a hammock below the tree line and a shelter above it.

    I was wondering if there are any shelters/tarps available that might fit this bill. I sleep like a baby in a hammock, but want to be able to camp above the treeline on occasion depending on the hike. My thoughts are that I could use the hammock as a groundsheet above the treeline, and get a bivy (for when its colder) or bug net (for those warm months).

    Just an idea I'm toying around with now… I was thinking that an MLD Trailstar might be good for something like this… thoughts?

    #2079786
    todd
    BPL Member

    @funnymo

    Locale: SE USA

    A golite poncho tarp works as a minimalist tarp over short hammocks. MLD's Pro poncho might work, and would be a longer ground shelter, too.

    A Trailstar could work but hanging the peak effectively would be a big pain.

    Hammocks work fine as a bivy if you use trekking poles for the ends.

    #2079809
    Trace Richardson
    BPL Member

    @tracedef

    Would a simple 8 x 10 or 8 x 11 tarp fit the bill or is that missing something you're looking for? Personally I would stay away from shaped tarps for hanging, plus you have a lot more options with a rectangular tarp or square tarp but not the simplicity of shaped tarp …. Also want to consider that many shaped tarps may not have enough length to cover your ridgeline …. I would want an 11 foot ridgeline for hanging if I have a standard 10 foot long hammock ….

    Since all a traditional hex hammock tarp is is a normal rectangular tarp with angled corners … with a rectangular tarp you would get more coverage when hanging and even have enough overhang on the ends to make small doors if needed or hang it asym…. Was in same spot as you and but went with a hex tarp, even for if I have to be above tree line …

    #2079831
    jh
    Spectator

    @woodpewee

    Perhaps an 8.5 x 8.5 flat tarp. It could be pitched on the diagonal for the hammock. Zpacks has a nice one.

    #2079885
    Steve Meier
    BPL Member

    @smeier

    Locale: Midwest

    I have a 7×9 cuben fiber tarp that I use to both bivy as well as over my hammock with the long diagonal as my ridge line. Provides a nice asym set up for the hammock. If I had to do again I probably would go with a 10×8 tarp to provide a bit more coverage but works well for on the ground or in the air.

    #2079902
    Rishi Sugla
    Member

    @rksugla

    Locale: Mid-Atlantic

    As someone who never has used a tarp shelter before for any type of real backpacking, is it something I could just pick up and try start out with? I've set up tarps for camping trips in a hammock but never anything out in the wilderness. I don't want to be over my head out in the bush…

    #2080014
    Steve Meier
    BPL Member

    @smeier

    Locale: Midwest

    I would start with a silnylon tarp and go at least 8×10 and then just start practicing in your yard or at a local park, which is what I did. There are some great books and websites to learn from. Anything from Derek Hanson on hammocking is great stuff.

    #2080021
    John Myers
    BPL Member

    @dallas

    Locale: North Texas

    Yes, you certainly can find a tarp that works for hammocks and also a shelter when hanging is not an option. I'm with you, I much prefer a hammock but there are parts of some trails that require going to ground.

    Check out the JacksRBetter tarps for a variety of sizes, materials and weights.

    Also, Zpacks has a few different hammock tarp options.

    #2080045
    John Almond
    Member

    @flrider

    Locale: The Southeast

    A "four-season" hammock tarp (that is, with one that has doors to close off the ends) will definitely provide you with an enclosed shelter on those rare occasions that you have to go to ground. The Superfly (by Warbonnet Outdoors), Bullfrog (by Wilderness Logics), Cuben Standard With Doors (by Hammock Gear), Hammock Tarp With Doors (by Zpacks), and JRB 11×10 Tarp (by Jacks'R'Better) are all good examples of this. There're more out there; it may be worth a little investigation (all of these are just off of the top of my head).

    Coupled with a groundsheet (my poncho doubles for this, if ever needed), one of these tarps and your hammock used as a bug bivvy (if needed) will work just fine with your trekking poles as a shelter option. It won't be quite as easy to pitch as a purpose-designed tent, but that's what you get multi-using gear.

    Hope it helps!

    #2080062
    Robert Kelly
    BPL Member

    @qiwiz

    Locale: UL gear @ QiWiz.net

    Agree with John. I have the Zpacks hammock tarp with doors and have used it as a very roomy ground-dwelling tarp on a number of occasions.

    Probably obvious, but if ground dwelling, don't forget a pad and (if-needed) bug protection.

    #2080075
    Rishi Sugla
    Member

    @rksugla

    Locale: Mid-Atlantic

    Robert- Do you have the optional trekking pole attachments on the Z-packs hammock tarp? How do they hold up?

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