Would a camping hammock be useful?

[Manalishi]

I often do short trips in the woods and use a http://warbonnetoutdoors.com/blackbirds.phphammock and tarp for overnights. I like this setup as its very light and comfortable. I wouldn't want to use it every night as part of the camino is the social aspect of staying in albergues.

Are there many places along the way where a hammock could be used? What are folks thoughts to having a hammock & tarp to be used as a backup place to sleep and also as a shelter that can be used during bad weather?

 

[tyrrek]

Hi! What time of year are you planning to do the Camino?

 

[Abbeydore]

My problem would be I'd stay asleep too long & then not be able to get out anyway :lol:

If it's in you weight allowance go for it

 

[Manalishi]

Planning on a mid April start. I have no strict timetable so the hammock may give possibilities to split some of the longer days.

My kit will take me down to a temperature around freezing point and consists of a silk liner, down filled top and under quilt. The liner and top quilt will be used in bunks too. Sleeping bags are not the best for hammock use as the insulation gets compressed by your body weight.

 

[renegadepilgrim]

I would say no...especially along the Meseta where trees are few and far between and usually on private land.

There are definitely areas along the way where you could do it, but a lot of it is private land....and often where there are trees to hang your hammock, you still have to walk into town for food and whatnot.

I myself am looking into hammocking for when I backpack at home...it's an interesting concept and one that would work well in the woods of the Pacific NW. Good luck!

 

[grayland]

The trees are a couple of km apart on the meseta. You would have to carry a lot of rope. :shock:

 

[OldDad]

Sure sounds like fun. Try to keep your total weight under 10 kilos. The further south of 10 kilos you can go, the better. I guess using it also depends on the time you want to devote to it. Once you got it set up you could probably let it out for a small donativo.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I considered taking my Clark Jungle Hammock, but after walking, learned in MOST places there was no place to hang a hammock. Plus the added weight of an underquilt, etc.
Unless your hammock sets up on the ground, I"d leave it home.

 

[mrksmith0026]

I would prefer to go on a camping with my hammocks rather than with tents. Since I bought a hammock, I already disposed my tents.

 

[robertt]

I took a very light tarp and mat for possible camping on the Frances, because I saw so many good spots the previous year on the Le Puy route. However, the Frances was really not suitable.

I encountered a lady in Cahors who was a dedicated hammocker. She was a young Frenchwoman who was an ultra-fit extreme-sporter - and a smoker. She liked to hammock without any cover, and was quite surprised when I told her of hammock tents. What can I say...the lady was French!

While I was there, her sister rang to announce she had won a lottery - and not for the first time. I suggested that her sister might want to make her a gift of a hammock tent, to keep the luck going.

But who knows what the French will say or do next?

 

[Abbeydore]

Yes these hammocks are wonderful, maybe a bit heavy, have you weighed everything,

My left knee cannot stress enough, how saving weight is such a good payback :mrgreen:

Photos of your camino would be great too , It snowed in April this year , hope you are blessed with no snow next year(otherwise you may end up looking like a horizontal snowman some mornings :lol: ).....
Buen Camino
David

 

[duncan pm]

whilst unsure about the practicalities of a hammock, I do endorse entirely tarps and hootchie style sleeping arrangements.
I carry a tarp whilst cycle touring and would most definately use one whilst walking - they combine brilliantly with poles to establish a height adjustable cover.
It is a great way to sleep in dry weather. Also ideal for cooking under if having a break along the way in poor weather. Very light weight.