So, this will be the first in what I'm going to call Dispelling The Mythos. At some point, yes, edged tools will be discussed again. But, there are some other myths out there that may be taken as fact, and while not all myths are false, a good many are only true from one perspective. It's the "Look at this I'm doing over here!" while I do that over there thing.
If you talk to most die hard hammock campers, the top reasons they give in defense are they are lighter, set up faster, and I don't need to have flat ground to set it up. Let's take an honest look at these three declarations closer.
A Hammock Is Lighter:
This may have been true ages ago when canvas was the popular material for tents. But in the last 20 years? Nope. Even if you don't use a bug net, a hammock with all the tie outs and a tarp large enough to cover it is going to weigh in at around 3-4 pounds. That's if you make your own tie out stakes. If you carry stakes add about another at least 1/4 pound. If you use a bug net, we're up to 5.5 pounds. Which is pretty light. But, there are a lot of tents out there that weight the same or less. Your basic two person pup tent weighs in at around 3.5 pounds, including the pols, tie outs, and stakes. If you want to shave the weight a little, leave the poles and stakes at home and make them from sticks at camp and you're under 2 pounds, and it's more packable. So for less weight, you get a tent that keeps bugs out, doesn't need a separate tarp to keep the rain off, and affords a little privacy is you want to change your clothes.
Or, if you have the money, there are ultra light tents that weight under 5 pounds for up to a 4 person tent.
I Don't Need Flat Ground:
No, but you do need two trees that are right space apart. You'd be amazed at how the woods don't always agree with us being out there, and don't grow to accommodate us puny humans. For example, at the base camp for the ABB, there's areas to set up more tarp shelters or tents than there are spots to set up a hammock. Between the trees not cooperating, underbrush and growth, it's just not as easy as one would imagine. Even on a hill. So in reality, you don't need a flat spot, but you need a clear spot with the right trees to support the weight and be far enough apart to accommodate the shelter.
I found it rather funny some time ago when a guy using a hammock set up on a fairly steep little bank, and in the morning his gear and boots had rolled down the little hill.
They Set Up Faster:
I have personally never been able to set up a hammock with tarp faster than I can my tents. I am not great at it, but I have watched guys who camp with me who have been using hammocks for decades. I can set up my tent including setting up the inside with my cot, get a fire going, and be relaxing before they have their hammock shelter set up. The 2024 Fall trip, I had my tent completely set up, coolers and so on at the table, and was getting the canopy up before the two guys using hammocks were done.
Every shelter type has it's pros and cons. From a simple cowboy roll, to a tarp shelter, a tent, or a hammock. It's all personal preference! I just felt I wanted to clarify a few myths that come up often.
This is just my personal opinion on the subject.
