Hi guys, was on Rose Lake this summer, learned a couple of lessons...

One, no matter how warm it is, I need some insulation. I'm a warm sleeper and didn't think I would need any....wrong. First night woke up pretty cold. Got up and rolled out the yoga mat I brought up. Was good after that. I like the tackiness of the mat. It stayed put better than my thermorest.

Two, tarp coverage and gear storage. I went with the tarp that came with my Clark. Nice tarp, but smallish. Had a blowing rain one night. I was nice and dry, but my gear on the ground under me was soaked. Should have used my bigger tarp. How do you guys keep your gear dry?

Good to see Shug here. He's awesome...

I generally leave my bag on the ground in it's rain fly. If I know the rain is going to be driving I hang it from the hammock suspension. There really isn't much weight there after all your gear is removed to setup camp. I did have issues a few times when the wind was just right to get my bag swinging and bumping my head. My brother has an rei flex lite chair and at night the bag keeps the chair from relocating.

First, I use a 12'x12' tarp to cover my hammock. I don't mind the extra weight for the extra coverage. Second, I use a 3'x5' piece of old tent flooring to set my gear on. If the weather looks real bad, I pull the sides up over the gear to prevent splatter from hitting it. So far so good, I have never been wet while hanging.

Same way I keep gear dry in a tent. When backpacking, I lean the pack against a tree and pull the rain cover over it. Canoeing, everything not in the tent is packed up and the pack liner closed. A few night time essentials (like TP) are in their own plastic bags and on top of the liner in the pack for quick retrieval without rummaging through the pack.

Like ECPizza, I keep my gear in the pack and use the pack cover.

I carry a 12 x 16 tarp with me, a little extra weight is worth it to me to always have a dry spot to hang out. I carry a 3 x 5 piece of tyvek for a ground sheet, and use that to set my gear on when raining. I was hiking the angleworm trail in late September, and had a really nasty thunderstorm roll through overnight but I stayed completely dry.

I don't hang, but it looks to me as if your tarp was far too high...compared to some of the other setupd I have seen.
***Wishful Hanger***

I bought a very large dry sack that's light weight and handy for keeping gear dry. At night, my PFD, extra clothes, and various other things get jammed in the bag. I never worry about that stuff staying dry.

Dry Sack

Thanks guys, good thoughts... I'll start using my bigger tarp. Good idea with the pack liner.