I am planning a backpacking trip to costa rica in November, and anticipate camping on the pacific side on the beach.

I haven t backpacked in a number of years, but used to do it extensively 30 years ago when I was younger.I want to keep my luggage to an absolute minimum.

What I want to do is buy a Hennesy expedition hammock that has a tarp protection over it
see http://www.hennessyhammock.com/.
I feel this will be light, and I won t need a tent or tarp.But I have never used one, and they are very expensive($180.00) . It may be a great idea, or is my thinking misplaced, and am I wasting my money.

I want to try the hammock out over the summer in one of our local densly treed parks here in Vancouver by sleeping there every night for a week instead of in my comfy apartment..The temperature may be about 40 degrees fahrenheit.

What else would I need? Do I need a sleeping bag.I understand there are different bags
for different temperatures..is there any all season bag, or should I buy one that is good for the cold, and just dress up with an extra sweater for warmer temperatures. Any input would be appreciated.


Captvancouver

What I want to do is buy a Hennesy expedition hammock that has a tarp protection over it
see http://www.hennessyhammock.com/.
I feel this will be light, and I won t need a tent or tarp.But I have never used one, and they are very expensive($180.00) . It may be a great idea, or is my thinking misplaced, and am I wasting my money.

I want to try the hammock out over the summer in one of our local densly treed parks here in Vancouver by sleeping there every night for a week instead of in my comfy apartment..The temperature may be about 40 degrees fahrenheit.

What else would I need? Do I need a sleeping bag.I understand there are different bags
for different temperatures..is there any all season bag, or should I buy one that is good for the cold, and just dress up with an extra sweater for warmer temperatures. Any input would be appreciated.


Have you checked for places to camp? I have spent some time in CR, but stayed in Hostels no camping. I did not see any camp grounds, but we were on the west side. We were going to camp at a ranger station, but got lost on the way there. When the small 4x4 started to float away we turned back.
It was never very cold at night. I did have a light sweater for late night walking around. I was there in Dec.
I have never used a Hennessy hammock, but have stayed in the jungle in Guatemala in a regular hammock cold was not a problem. I would think that a 40 Deg bag would be plenty.

Is there a reason that you are going to camp as apposed to hosteling? What are you going to eat? Will you need a stove or are you going to eat out?

Give some more info on your plans and I can help more.
K

Thanks for replying Kev.

Yes, you have raised some interesting questions. I guess I am thinking I am not really going to be camping,,I just need the hammock as a backup, in case I can t find a place , or I get stuck. I will be going to Montezuma see http://www.montezumabeach.com/ which is on the west coast.

I am retiring, but am an active 65, and run several miles a day.I will have a lot of time on my hands.But I don t really know what to expect in C.R....I have a lot of faith in the goodness of the C.R. people, and enjoyed them when was last there(about 20 years ago)Now retired, I may immigrate from Canada to there.But I like to surf and snorkel, and be near the water, but don t want to be in the tourist crowd with expeditions and tours etc. I just like going out and finding a place to snorkel on my own. Near the ocean food is not hard to find..I used to dive for lobster when I was last there, and fish are easy to catch and smoke on the beach.. If worst comes to worst I will stay at a hotel,and eat in restaurants.I am not destitute, but I just enjoy roughing it.

I like the idea that if you are tired at night and need a place to sleep, just tie the hammock up between 2 trees. It suits the nomadic spirit in me. I was on the road in my camper for 10 years, and slept wherever my truck stopped .I may get a bus, or rent a jeep there.

Before living in my camper, I was on the road with my packsack for a large part of 10 years, I hitchhiked thro about 30 countries between the ages of 17 and 26, while on hoildays from university where I picked up 2 professional degrees (when I was there).

My travelling was so helpful to me, my purpose in life is not religious, but spiritual and I think we need to awaken, and in my path I need new situations to do that.I feel much more alive. Sorry for the meandering thoughts.It is not respectful to others who have their own view of lifes purpose etc.

I won t be on a time limit in C.R. and will just go with the flow.

If there is a list of hostels in C.R., maybe I can find it.

thanks

Keith

I've never been to Costa Rica but I do use a Hennessy from time to time. I think it would be an ideal thing to use in Costa Rica where I imagine the big concerns are bugs and rain. A Hennessy scores very high on both counts and is much more comfortable than lying on the ground.

Trying it out in Vancouver will be interesting if it gets down to 40 degrees. At temperatures lower than 60 you discover the downside of a hammock (any hammock). You lose an amazing amount of heat from underneath. A closed-cell foam pad underneath you solves the problem and most people have one around. However any part of you that touches the hammock directly will get cold.

If you want to test-drive a hammock before shelling out the $180 try the homemade Test Hammock at

http://www.imrisk.com/testhammock/testhammock.htm

That's what I did. Paid $3.50 for the material and $9.00 for the webbing at Walmart and tried it in my backyard. That's a good way to see if a hammock is something you'd enjoy.

Thanks a lot Heber. I m glad you mentioned the temperature threshold and will be sure to include a sleeping pad.
I also will have to think through the temperature thing, and do a little experimenting.

Keith

HERE are some hostels. Never been to Costa Rica (or anywhere in South America...) but it looks promising!

Thanks a lot Frenchie. Good info.

Keith

Lots of things have changed in CR in the past 20 years. Crime is on the rise there due to the influx of non-natives, though a fair share of Ticos are into petty theft too. I lived there for a few years and know both coasts pretty well. Your best bet is using Hostels and doing what you want during the day...as in safety in numbers at night.

You could always buy a locally made hammock, support the local economy, look 'local' when using it, and remain lower profile then some big buck NA backpacker. Low key is the best travel mode in CA IME. Staying in a different hostel every other week, changes up your location; and gives you a kitchen to cook what you like from your daily travels. Plus make new friends!