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01/21/2021 07:29AM  
Four of us are planning a trip to Quetico this summer. We are old buddies who have done lots of camping together, including four Quetico trips in the early 2000s and bi-annual glamping trips in southern Ontario since then.

One aspect of glamping is that everyone sleeps in his own tent. The problem now is that many Quetico sites simply don't have available real estate for this level of excess.

Further complicating the real estate issue is our screen tent which everyone agrees is an essential item for a July trip.

A couple of us are considering switching to hammocks. Setting aside all of the other benefits and costs regarding this migration, what I'm only interested in now is whether a hammock actually solves the problem of alleviating the housing footprint on a campsite. As hammocks don't require a desirable flat pad underneath, they can theoretically be erected anywhere, right?

But is this the reality? I realize at some of the larger, luxurious sites this won't be an issue, but I've come across many sites that are surrounded by dense trees and brush where, even if it's possible to string up your hammock, the tarp may be impeded by branches and such. In other words, is it the case that sometimes the only available place to erect a hammock is in the available tent pad area?
 
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01/21/2021 08:49AM  
Overall I think it is easier to find a hammock location than a tent spot. You can place a hammock back in the woods but you would be surprised sometimes how much you have to look for an acceptable spot even with all the trees.
 
goetzc
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01/21/2021 08:50AM  
I have not been to Quetico myself but have hammock camped exclusively on many BW trips. In my experience - BW sites typically have room for at least 2-3 tent pads which usually can be made to fit a hammock as long as the hammock suspension will accommodate the span. I look for trees over 4-5" in diameter about 15'-20' apart with minimal or no underbrush between them that might touch/rip my hammock/underquilt. I use a 13' tarp over my hammock so 15' is a bare minimum for me - your tarp length and comfort with it's proximity to the tree/branches will dictate your minimum distance.

The only issue I've encountered was in more recent burn areas where the only available trees were very small(under 4") and usually very dense with no natural openings big enough. I am always prepared to sleep on the ground - just in case I can't find a suitable spot for my hammock. I can setup my Warbonnet RidgeRunner hammock on a ground cloth for bug protection in that case.

I don't foresee an issue with 4 guys trying to find a spot to hang a hammock in an older forested area.

You likely know this already but do make sure everyone has practiced sleeping in the hammock and has appropriate insulation - especially underneath them. Even in July you will need something under you to stay warm.

One last thing - not entirely hammock related as I know it's happened with tents also... if for some reason(out of your control) you arrive at a site after dark - make sure everyone knows where the latrine trail is so they aren't sleeping on it when somebody has to make a midnight run in a hurry without their headlamp. :)
 
gymcoachdon
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01/21/2021 09:22AM  
I went on a trip a few years back with a group. We had one large tent, a 2 person tent, and I was in my hammock. Basically, the big tent got first choice, then the small tent, and I got what was left. You are right, on the large sprawling sites, this was not a problem. But on the smaller sites it was exactly as you are describing. Plenty of trees to hang the hammock, but very few options that would allow the tarp to be set up easily. The best place to hang a hammock is usually over a tent pad. The advantage is it doesn't need to be a smooth or level tent site. I always found a suitable spot though, and it was fun being creative to make it work, and it was a great trip.
 
01/21/2021 09:56AM  
Another validation it usually can be done, but can take some looking and the best spots are often tent pads.
I have had more trouble finding a site for my Warbonnet ridgerunner than the gathered end Blackbird. It is more about finding a site to accommodate the tarp.
 
preacherdave
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01/21/2021 01:05PM  
Went to Quetico with a group of eight one year. 6 of us had hammocks. We had no problem finding a site that could take all of us. Some sites we were pretty spread out. Stayed at the Pines site on Pickerel the last night out. It is a perfect site for hammocks.
 
01/21/2021 01:25PM  
preacherdave: "Went to Quetico with a group of eight one year. 6 of us had hammocks. We had no problem finding a site that could take all of us. Some sites we were pretty spread out. Stayed at the Pines site on Pickerel the last night out. It is a perfect site for hammocks."

I'm pretty sure we stayed there in August. Is it site 15N? An army of hangers could use that site! Probably going between Lerome and Beaverhouse this summer.

 
Heyfritty
distinguished member (177)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/21/2021 01:28PM  
Argo,
You apparently aren’t aware that Quetico is not an option this summer with the border still closed. Sorry to bring bad news.

Fritty
 
01/21/2021 01:34PM  
Heyfritty: "Argo,
You apparently aren’t aware that Quetico is not an option this summer with the border still closed. Sorry to bring bad news.


Fritty "


He is from Ontario
 
01/22/2021 12:28PM  
AmarilloJim: "Overall I think it is easier to find a hammock location than a tent spot. You can place a hammock back in the woods but you would be surprised sometimes how much you have to look for an acceptable spot even with all the trees."


I agree, as long as the site is wooded and not in a severe burn area, I've never had an issue finding a few decent hammock spots at any site.
 
campnfish
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01/22/2021 03:48PM  
Last trip to kawnipi, we had 3 tents and i was in my hammock, i typically take the last pick for spots, and it's usually not ideal but its further away from the rest of them, which is an advantage to a hammock. We only camped at two campsites but it worked fine at both. I would think 2 Hammocks and 2 small 1-2 man tents wouldn't be a big deal in quetico.
 
SummerSkin
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02/01/2021 12:45PM  
We took a group of 6 guys, all with hammocks, into the Quetico (Iron -> Argo and back). Had no problems whatsoever finding good campsites to hang. I used to be a tent camper but now hammock exclusively in the BWCA / Q and would never go back to tents.
 
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