To Tent Or Not To Tent

I have always been a tent camper, I like having some space to sit up, stretch out, and be able to still move around once the sun has gone down. There is a sense of security inside the tent once it is zipped up that I found comforting the first time I went camping, so I stuck with it. That being said, the past two or three times I have slept in my cozy tent, my body has hated me for it the next day. It can be very difficult to find perfectly flat ground, then I have to clear the spot of any rocks, tree limbs and debris that will be in my way. It is just a lot of extra work that I do not enjoy.

 Although once everything is all set up, I have a spacious home away from home. Its especially nice when having friends along because we can all hunker down in the tent together if it starts raining or gets too cold. I love taking my dogs camping too, the thought of leaving them somewhere gives me anxiety, so being able to have them in the tent next to me is a plus as well. There are SO many options when it comes to camping, to tent or not to tent is the question today. 

Sleeping Through The Night

Sleeping on the ground is hard, literally. It is also cold, and sometimes wet, which will almost guarantee tossing and turning most of the night. There is nothing worse than waking up at sunrise, and not feeling rested for your daily adventure. When you are camping, especially for more than one night, you need to be alert, and have energy to not only have a fun trip, but also be safe as well. It is easy to make mistakes when you are extra tired. There is no Starbucks in the back country, so good sleep is necessary.  If you invest in a good tent pad, like you would a mosquito net for the hammock, you should sleep a whole a lot better though. 

The Weight Of It All 

The basic hammock made by Serac Hammocks only weighs 14 oz, and only costs around forty dollars. Tents that weigh under two pounds can be hundreds of dollars. Although, once you add in your tree straps, mosquito net, and your tarp it can end up weighing almost 4 pounds. A  two-person tent can easily weigh over 5 pounds for around the same price as the hammock. Ultra-light gear is important to me because I have to carry dog food with me as well (until they get packs of their own, ha!), which adds a lot of weight to my pack quickly. Plus I don't want to have to lug around a big bulky pack on the trail. Carrying a tent, with sleeping bags, and a good mat can end up being pretty heavy. Hammock definitely wins the weight contest. 

Setup Time 

I have mastered setting up my tent, because I use the same one every time, so I have a process. That still doesn't make it less of a hassle every time I set it up. As I mentioned earlier, I have to clear out the most level spot available, and pad it with leaves for extra comfort. Then, I have to slide each pole through all the openings, and make sure the stakes are in the ground properly. Once its popped up, I have to set up the sleeping bags, and blanket, it can take me around 20 minutes to set it up right.

With a hammock all you need are two trees spaced 15 feet apart, your tree straps, and carabiners, then your good to go. Setting up a hammock should only take a few minutes once you know what you're doing. Although, it could take time to find two perfectly spaced trees in the area that you want to camp in, you may have to go a different area than planned, which may or may not be a bad thing. 

Versatility 

There have been a couple of times I have attempted to go camping, only to arrive and there be masses of people, and that is just not ideal. You can access places that they cannot if you have a hammock. I have seen a couple with a hammock over a river, it was truly amazing. In a tent you can camp on the beach, or in the desert. Good luck finding somewhere to set up a hammock in the Mojave Desert. Everywhere you go will be different, and you have to adjust for those differences. If I am camping in the Everglades I would prefer a hammock because the ground is swampy and full of snakes, but I might want a tent if I am camping on a beach in Hawaii. 

Basically you have to decide for yourself what will work for you, and the environment you're going to be in. Some people prefer to be on the ground, others like to be suspended in air. Its a divisive issue that no one will ever fully agree on, but no matter if you are a tent person or a hammock person, the point is to go adventure, and get closer with nature. Leave no trace, and always be safe.