BWCA Hammock issues? Boundary Waters Gear Forum
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PatrickE
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05/07/2018 07:36PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I'm on board with trying out hanging for an upcoming BW trip. It will be my first experience with a hammock as oppose to the tent which has been the go to for years. My question is, do you guys encounter campsites where hanging is not really very feasible? I don't think there's a tree shortage up there, but I'm traveling with a group of 6 other guys all of which are in tents. I'd rather not be the guy asking to move sites simply because I can't find an adequate place to set up the hammock. I'm envisioning there will always be someplace to hang, just sometimes not the most ideal. Any horror stories from anyone with this issues?

The alternative is just taking both my tent (with pad) and hammock (with underquilt). Obviously adding a bit of superfluous weight, but we are base camping for the trip and adding 5 lbs won't be a deal breaker. The other reason in the back of my mind is if I absolutely hate sleeping in a hammock, I've got a backup to rely on. Don't think this will be an issue as the trial naps in the back yard have been quite successful.

For those of you who made the switch, was this a consideration for your inaugural hammock trip? Any input is greatly appreciated.
 
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05/07/2018 08:08PM  
I solo so do not have your concern, but have thought about if I were to bring others what tent/hang options exist. There are enough trees in most areas you will be fine, but some of the fire areas and blow down sites do not have many mature trees.
More often you will find an ideal tree spacing with a big rock or slope so no ground dweller would want to pitch there.
Enjoy....check out the special interest group for hanging if you have not already.
 
05/07/2018 09:02PM  
If it's just you hanging I don't think that you will have any issues. I have yet to find a site that didn't accommodate at least two hammocks, but sometimes it can be a bit challenging depending on the site. The toughest hang for me was on Hook Island on Saganaga. The only campsite available was on the exposed western tip and my buddy grabbed the only obvious hanging spot. I had to be creative to bridge the thirty foot span, but it worked out fine.

I hope that you enjoy hanging as much as I do.....
 
Abbey
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05/07/2018 09:23PM  
I did have trouble finding a good pair of hang trees without a bunch between the trees on the SE site of Gillis last year. There were a couple pairs of trees that were close, but I had brought a larger tarp due to early season trip and needed more spacing. Had to set up apart from the main camp area, which wasn’t that big of a deal. Didn’t try the 30’ spread method. Most sites have had plenty of hang options, but I understand not wanting to be the reason a site doesn’t work. Just recruit some more hangers. You can rationalize that a mix of tent and hang is the most flexible for a larger group “fitting” a site.
 
rdricker
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05/07/2018 10:04PM  
Four of us hung all through Quetico last summer. Several sites were pushing it to find spots for 4, but all were fine for 1 or 2. Something to remember is that these Asian Tiger Mosquitos bite through fabric a lot easier than the Canadian greys. I found that I had to put my sleeping pad under me or they would bite though.
 
OCDave
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05/07/2018 10:12PM  
PatrickE: "I'm on board with trying out hanging for an upcoming BW trip. It will be my first experience with a hammock ...

The alternative is just taking both my tent (with pad) and hammock (with underquilt). ..


.... The other reason in the back of my mind is if I absolutely hate sleeping in a hammock, I've got a backup to rely on. Don't think this will be an issue as the trial naps in the back yard have been quite successful. .. "


1. Your first overnight experience in a hammock should not be a muti-day trip without a bailout option. Get someplace to get some overnight time in your hammock.

2. If you have a tarp, you don't need a tent. Take a pad if it makes you feel better but, in the unlikely event that you can't find something to hang from, you can use packs as sleeping pads.

3. Enjoy your trip!
 
KarlBAndersen1
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05/07/2018 10:27PM  
Just don't tell the other guys how nice it is in your hammock when they complain about the hard ground.
You'll have to fight somebody for your own hammock!!
 
05/08/2018 07:05AM  
I had to get creative at the Table Rock camp site
 
carmike
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05/08/2018 07:05AM  
I can think of a *few* campsites I've been on that might not accommodate that number of tents and a hammock. Those sites, though, wouldn't accommodate a solo hammocker, either. My guess is you're more likely to run into trouble finding a place to put the tents than the hammock.

IF you are unable to spend some time overnight in the hammock before you go, then I don't think bringing backup is a bad idea. Better to give it a try beforehand, but given the nature of your trip, the peace of mind and on-ground option might not be a bad idea. Some very, very strange people really don't like hammocking, and if you find yourself among them, the BWCA isn't the place to be. :)
 
05/08/2018 07:59AM  
As the sole hanger in the group, I'd say you're the one in the cat bird seat! Barring a burn area, you'll do just fine.
 
user0317
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05/08/2018 08:02AM  
I think people worry about not being able to hang at a site, more than necessary. Unless you are in an area where the trees have been completely wiped out, you will find a way.

When tripping down the Sutton I managed to find a spot to hang my hammock all the way down to the pickup site within a couple of miles of Hudson Bay. There were very few trees (and a lot of very thick, tall brush) but I found a couple of small tamaracks that did the trick.
 
jrlatt
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05/08/2018 09:19AM  
KarlBAndersen1: "Just don't tell the other guys how nice it is in your hammock when they complain about the hard ground.
You'll have to fight somebody for your own hammock!!"


Or next year when you they have hammocks and your fighting for spots. My experience has been there has always been one nice spot for a hammock. Two usually. The third and fourth spots require more thought. So when they asked how you slept just say "ok."
 
Atrain
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05/08/2018 11:43AM  
Haven't had an issue, and always sleep better in the air as opposed to the ground. I will add that the hammock can sometimes afford you a better spot than a tent. When the weather is nice i love being between two trees right down next to the water. Happy hanging!
 
05/08/2018 11:49AM  
Atrain: " When the weather is nice i love being between two trees right down next to the water."

About as good as it gets!
 
PatrickE
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05/08/2018 04:41PM  
Thanks for everyone weighing in! The one thing I find somewhat funny is the feeling I’m likely to get when you first pull into a site and want to call dibs on the great hanging spot you see only to have a buddy plop his gear down and get his tent out. I want to be eager but not toooo eager to get my spot! I’m sure this is a pretty standard internal struggle.
 
OCDave
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05/08/2018 06:10PM  
PatrickE: "Thanks for everyone weighing in! The one thing I find somewhat funny is the feeling I’m likely to get when you first pull into a site and want to call dibs on the great hanging spot you see only to have a buddy plop his gear down and get his tent out. I want to be eager but not toooo eager to get my spot! I’m sure this is a pretty standard internal struggle. "


As a hammocker, I will typically do a quick scan for 2-3 hammock capable sites upon arrival. Having options, I will allow tenters to claim level open sites first, I can hang between any two appropriately spaced anchor points (hint: anchor does not necessarily need to be a tree). If options are limited, I'll be quick and greedy and claim the one spot quickly. On a multiday trip, you will almost certainly be generous more days than greedy.

 
MplsKcid
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05/08/2018 07:54PM  
I have been only hammock camping in BWCA for the past 4 years. I have had to get creative a few times but have not had an issue. Last year I went with a group of 5 with 4 people in hammocks. We did have to skip a couple sites due to our group size but even those had at least 1 spot to hang. Also dont be scared to find a spot farther out in the woods. One of my buddies found lots of good hanging spots just down a path since you dont need level ground in a hammock and that is hard to find out there.
 
Spauldo
member (31)member
  
06/08/2018 02:54PM  
bhouse46: "Enjoy....check out the special interest group for hanging if you have not already."


Where do I find this group?
 
bcelect
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06/08/2018 03:59PM  
At the bottom of page of messageboard list. Apply to BWCA Hanging.
 
proepro
senior member (65)senior membersenior member
  
06/08/2018 04:48PM  
 
Spauldo
member (31)member
  
06/11/2018 08:47AM  
Thanks, man. I am relatively new here. I wasn't aware there was a website for the Boundary Waters until about a month ago.
 
06/23/2018 11:52PM  
I’ve passed up sites due to not having suitable spots to hang (tree spacing, underbrush, etc.)
It’s always worked out as the sites I end up settling on were great.
 
06/24/2018 12:33AM  
rdricker: "Four of us hung all through Quetico last summer. Several sites were pushing it to find spots for 4, but all were fine for 1 or 2. Something to remember is that these Asian Tiger Mosquitos bite through fabric a lot easier than the Canadian greys. I found that I had to put my sleeping pad under me or they would bite though."


Don't think the Asian Tiger Mosquito can deal with Quetico conditions.

Here's a distribution map in the US.



Another
Showing probable world wide distribution.
 
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