Hammocking possible?

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Twelve31
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Hammocking possible?

Post by Twelve31 »

Specifically, I would like to ask someone who has camped in the following areas.

Vidette Meadow,
East Lake,
Lake Reflection
Charlotte Lake
Vidette Canyon (lower)

Is it safe to bring a hammock to camp in these areas or would a tent be more practical?

thanks in advance...
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maverick
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Re: Hammocking possible?

Post by maverick »

Vidette Meadow,
East Lake,
Lake Reflection
Charlotte Lake
Vidette Canyon (lower)
Yes at all of those location, trees skirt the lakes, and though I do not hammock, don't see a problem of you finding the necessary trees in either locations.
What do you mean by safe?
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Twelve31
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Re: Hammocking possible?

Post by Twelve31 »

Thanks Maverick!
By "safe" I meant leave the tent at home and only bring a hammock :)
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maverick
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Re: Hammocking possible?

Post by maverick »

Sure, as long as you know what you are doing, we have some members who use them.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=5764&p=38771&hilit=hammock#p37825
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I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member: http://reconn.org
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AlmostThere
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Re: Hammocking possible?

Post by AlmostThere »

Long straps and adjustable suspension (my whoopie slings were special ordered longer than standard) are better for the Sierra. When the only tree for miles is foxtail pines, good luck with the 6' straps....

What you'll encounter tho is a rift between you and any tent dwellers with you. You need good sturdy trees which are not so common at that elevation, not the springy wind-stunted pines that, even if they are 6-8" in diameter, will plant your butt on the ground. But some of us like having a bed a quarter of a mile from the snoring friends in tents.
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Jimr
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Re: Hammocking possible?

Post by Jimr »

Some friends require in excess of a quarter mile, me included :D
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Twelve31
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Re: Hammocking possible?

Post by Twelve31 »

Thanks for that info. That was a concern as well as I will have 2 friends that are definitely tent camping. As much as I love my hammock I think maybe the tent might be a more practical choice for this trip. Plus we may want to bed down one night above the tree line. I'm from the southeast and trees are not an issue to find.


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Re: Hammocking possible?

Post by MountainMinstrel »

AlmostThere wrote:Long straps and adjustable suspension (my whoopie slings were special ordered longer than standard) are better for the Sierra. When the only tree for miles is foxtail pines, good luck with the 6' straps....

What you'll encounter tho is a rift between you and any tent dwellers with you. You need good sturdy trees which are not so common at that elevation, not the springy wind-stunted pines that, even if they are 6-8" in diameter, will plant your butt on the ground. But some of us like having a bed a quarter of a mile from the snoring friends in tents.
Have we hiked together?
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hurricaniac
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Re: Hammocking possible?

Post by hurricaniac »

East and Reflection have lots of stout whitebark pines near the lakes, but having them hammock-friendly distance apart will present the usual limited choices.
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Re: Hammocking possible?

Post by AlmostThere »

MountainMinstrel wrote:
AlmostThere wrote:Long straps and adjustable suspension (my whoopie slings were special ordered longer than standard) are better for the Sierra. When the only tree for miles is foxtail pines, good luck with the 6' straps....

What you'll encounter tho is a rift between you and any tent dwellers with you. You need good sturdy trees which are not so common at that elevation, not the springy wind-stunted pines that, even if they are 6-8" in diameter, will plant your butt on the ground. But some of us like having a bed a quarter of a mile from the snoring friends in tents.
Have we hiked together?
It's entirely possible. I have been in quite a few meetup groups, and sometimes, my group ends up "adopting" friendly people on the trail who need help navigating...

It's also been true that my group can be up to 100 - 400 feet apart at night, because the snorers are trying to be polite. :rolleyes:
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