I have another question on the scarp. if you were going to buy would you get the mesh interior or solid wall interior? from what I understand only the solid wall is suitable for 4 season camping and only the mesh interior is good for 3 season. Am I reading something wrong?
Just In general - screen = no blowing snow, in other words, not 4 season. 4 season tents do not have screen.
Lori et all, though Shug and phat do hammock at extremely low temps, their setups are heavy and cumbersome and not for use in exposed areas. Wyoming may be too exposed everywhere to camp in winter. I have never seen Shug camping at -30 in strong winds. Though you may personally think hammocks are best for everything because some people push the limits does not mean that hammocks are a good idea where winds would carrry away your tarp.
Jim Jim
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These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.
Though you may personally think hammocks are best for everything because some people push the limits does not mean that hammocks are a good idea where winds would carrry away your tarp.
Jim
I'd really appreciate it if you didn't put words in my mouth. I've never told anyone hammocks are the best. I have at least four different shelters myself, some with very specific purposes. Note that I do not suggest that anyone try winter hammocking - I simply pointed out that it's possible and gave examples.
As someone who's had the hammock out in wind, I also get to say, they work as well as tents do, if set up properly - site selection is always key. Your tarp is about as likely to blow away as your tent fly. Frankly, my tarp flapped around a whole lot less than my friend's tent did, in the same 40-50 mph wind. And only came loose when a careless person tripped on a corner of it. Once refastened it remained steadfast and stable all night and I slept like a baby with nary a sway of the hammock.
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I have another question on the scarp. if you were going to buy would you get the mesh interior or solid wall interior? from what I understand only the solid wall is suitable for 4 season camping and only the mesh interior is good for 3 season. Am I reading something wrong?
No you are not. in general, if you were planning on taking the tent out where there would be blowing snow and high wind, you would not like the all mesh interior - you'd probably get a bunch of spinndrift through it. OTOH, in hot weather the solid walls are awful stuffy. - so pretty much other than that nasty winter case, the mesh walls will vent better and be superior in most cases.
Again, decide realisticly when you want to go and when you are likely to go.
If you're going to be on a high mountain, exposed, in snow load, you will need something that is four season capable.
Lots of people buy 4 season tents because "they might go out in winter" - and spend nothing but time in them spring->fall where they would be better served by something lighter and more well ventilated.
Registered: 12/26/08
Posts: 382
Loc: Maine/New Jersey
Originally Posted By lori
Originally Posted By Jimshaw
Though you may personally think hammocks are best for everything because some people push the limits does not mean that hammocks are a good idea where winds would carrry away your tarp.
Jim
I'd really appreciate it if you didn't put words in my mouth. I've never told anyone hammocks are the best. I have at least four different shelters myself, some with very specific purposes. Note that I do not suggest that anyone try winter hammocking - I simply pointed out that it's possible and gave examples.
As someone who's had the hammock out in wind, I also get to say, they work as well as tents do, if set up properly - site selection is always key. Your tarp is about as likely to blow away as your tent fly. Frankly, my tarp flapped around a whole lot less than my friend's tent did, in the same 40-50 mph wind. And only came loose when a careless person tripped on a corner of it. Once refastened it remained steadfast and stable all night and I slept like a baby with nary a sway of the hammock.
Yea I would appreciate no word stuffing in the mouth also. I never said that either, I just said it can be done in the winter. Me personally, I only want to use my hammock in nice weather. Late Spring early Fall in Maine. If you read my past posts on this thread I never said you must do it and its a great idea to hang in snowy conditions or whatever else you can think of. I simply defended the idea that it can be done, which is a 100% true. Individual tolerance may vary.
I do agree though that those set ups seem way too bulky. For winter camping, me personally, I would stick with a tent and pad. For now at least, who knows I am an adventurous type and may try winter hanging in the future when I have the money to afford the under quilts and bomber hats etc. etc.
Lori - Thanks for the advice! I am still learning the in's and out's and what to look for in a quality hammock. So far though the price of the entry level skeeter beeter pro seems really nice. Found one on amazon.com for 52 bucks. But, still learning, and my mind changes often lol. Thanks again.
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"To me, hammocking is relaxing, laying, swaying. A steady slow morphine drip without the risk of renal failure." - Dale Gribbel
Wyoming gets some pretty strong winds in the summer, and winter. To the OP, do you know if you need a tent to withstand strong wind loads (ie 40-50 mph)? This would really down select your tent choices. My brother lived in Rock Springs for a few years. It was crazy cold in the winter and high winds all year everywhere. My sister lives in Jackson Hole right now. With mountains and trees come less wind. Of course, I only visited there for a few days in the winter. And, I am sure there is a reason they call it the Wind River Range.
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The skeeter beater is a great first hammock. I have one and use it. I also have a DYI that I have experimented with. Now I'm looking at a blackbird for a thru of the SHT because of the convenience. The skeeter beater must be hung and then two netting ropes hung also and I'd rather not deal with all of that after a long milage days.
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If I wouldn't eat it at home, why would I want to eat it on the trail?
I agree with Lori here. I have camped in a hamock in the winter and if you have the right gear, you can stay as warm in a hammock as you can a tent. I am sure that Lori uses a sleeping pad and with that down blanket that she is talking about, she could probably stay pretty warm in most any temps. I know that I have stayed in mine several nights down around zero and I use stuff very similar to what Lori uses and have been on the AT in temps at nigt near zero and stayed pretty warm the entire nine days and that was in February too !!!!! So hang in here Lori and keep carrying the hammock....sabre11004...
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Registered: 12/26/08
Posts: 382
Loc: Maine/New Jersey
I am a bit concerned with the skeeter beeter pro because there is no ridge line....0.0 I was wondering if there was a way to cut a hole in the screen and reinforcing the hole to allow the ridgeline out, but no bugs in...
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"To me, hammocking is relaxing, laying, swaying. A steady slow morphine drip without the risk of renal failure." - Dale Gribbel
Registered: 12/27/05
Posts: 931
Loc: East Texas Piney Woods
You can glue two pieces of fabric to the netting where you need the hole (one on each side) and then use a soldering iron or woodburning tool to melt a small hole in the patch to pass the ridgeline through.
You can also do this with fabric tape.
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