Tarp/hammock

[guitarpreston]

Last year I got caught in a storm and rode part of it out under my 5x7 tarp. Between my bag and me, it was pretty snug and I need to practice pitching it more…but it did get me thinking about maybe a bit bigger tarp and then I see this in an ad. https://www.grandtrunk.com/products/moab-all-in-one-shelter-hammock
It’s a bit heavy but the concept was kinda neat. 100% sure I would fall out if I tried to sleep in there

 

[Gettincloser]

Has are very comfortable. I prefer them for summer trips kayaking down a river. In TX, it is considered public property if it is an island or less than 10" above the waterline. The islands are typically full of rock so we hang the hamock/tarp a over the rock or water and tie the kayaks to a tree nearby overnight.

In the winter, you need the hammock, tarp, quilt (over you) and an under quilt (under the hammock). By the time you add all of this up,it adds lbs!

As the same rate, people with back issues do like the comfort of a properly hung hammock! Also, if it is rough terrain but plenty of trees, level flat ground is not needed! If there are a few feet of snow, I can see the appeal. Just know, it is not the lightest but it is great where applicable.

 

[guitarpreston]

Has are very comfortable. I prefer them for summer trips kayaking down a river. In TX, it is considered public property if it is an island or less than 10" above the waterline. The islands are typically full of rock so we hang the hamock/tarp a over the rock or water and tie the kayaks to a tree nearby overnight.

In the winter, you need the hammock, tarp, quilt (over you) and an under quilt (under the hammock). By the time you add all of this up,it adds lbs!

As the same rate, people with back issues do like the comfort of a properly hung hammock! Also, if it is rough terrain but plenty of trees, level flat ground is not needed! If there are a few feet of snow, I can see the appeal. Just know, it is not the lightest but it is great where applicable.

I listened to Snyder podcast about the hammocks he’s tried out and they seem like a decent option if you’ve got trees for it. However those systems are pretty expensive compared to the one listed and the weight difference between it and a tent is not significant.

I was more thinking i would use it as a glassing tarp/emergency shelter that I could hang up if the situation was just right

 

[Gettincloser]

That would make more sense. When you said you would "fall out" I assumed that you were referring to hammock use. There are pro's and con's to both, the tent and hammock. Just make sure your "gear fits the mission". I have jumped most of the way down the rabbit hole (I have yet to commit to the underquilt.) But I do enjoy sleeping in the hammock. I am also a big fan of using a tarp for backup and or to cover gear if needed and just run a light bivy with mesh over the face, an insulated air pad and a quilt. This is by far the simplest system that fits nearly anywhere. (Like everything else, it has its own drawbacks.)

As far as using that tarp for gassing, I really like the cat-cut edges to get things tight easily without a lot of flop in the material. However, using that same tarp as a shelter in a nasty windy rain storm, watter can get blown ender those cuts at the edges... just take it to the ground for that situation!