How I Lived in a Hammock for 4 Months on the Appalachian Trail | Thru Hiking Hammock Tips

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[tomscott]

If you leave your hammock at night, always wear a headlight... and always leave a small light on under your tarp. That glow may help you find your way back if you get disoriented in the dark.

[t.davidgordon]

Thank you for sharing; nicely edited, so that there was a good deal of wisdom-per-minute. I'm retired now, 68-years old, and was out for two nights with my son-in-law last week-end, and will probably solo tomorrow night in a local forest in my hammock. I love the hammock; as you get older, the ground seems to get harder (!). I love to learn from people half my age who have more experience. 2018 was my (previous) best year in the woods; while still teaching, I was out 23 nights in the forest. When Covid came, I was out 38 nights (35 solo). I still have much to learn, and I am doubly delighted to learn from people half my age, both because they also love the woods, and because they teach me new things. Be safe, and love the woods!

[rickwebermusic]

Great info, Jason! Another benefit of always pitching the tarp (regardless of weather) is that the dew will form on your tarp, and not your hammock and quilts. I've camped with folks who chose to not set up their tarps, and they all woke up wet from the dew. I pitched my tarp and stayed bone-dry.

[PhilCherry]

Hammock camping is my favorite mode. There is something special about getting your hang & setup just right.

[BloodhoundMark]

So happy that you actually made this video! Thanks very much - it is exactly what I needed.

[MoeBergOSS]

I’m a former AT thru-hiker and have over 4, 000 miles on the AT. His advice is spot on. Every…. Piece of advice he had in this video was correct.

[waterdog]

Thanks...nothing beats getting advice from someone who has lived it...appreciate your thoughts👍

[otway]

You gave some good advice, First time I used a hammock was on the AT .. back in 1973. I find that if my feet get cold while in the hammock, I will throw my jacket down to the foot end of the hammock and place my feet on top of the jacket. If you are new to hammocks you need to practice setting up your rig and sleeping in it under controlled conditions to make sure it works. By controlled conditions I mean having a place to escape to if something goes wrong like your house or car ) Nothing worse than being out in the middle of no where only to find that something does not work the way you thought it would..

[RicMor]

Great video and excellent advice in general, not just for the AT. I don’t usually get fog where I do my tramping, but you got me thinking that that’s just another good reason to have an UQ protector.

About peeing in/from the hammock, my suggestion is to just get a proper pee bottle at a pharmacy or on Amazon, designed for the job at hand, with a big diameter mouth that is angled ergonomically so that you don’t risk spilling the contents.

My hammock has zippers on both sides so I designate on side as my porch and the other as my backyard. Porch is where I get in and out, and place my pack on the ground. The backyard is where I carefully empty the bottle from the hammock.

I’ve tried balancing on the edge of the hammock to pee, but for me that requires a lot of concentration, which I usually don’t have when I’m sleeping. So I just wake up for good. At that point I might as well get up and go for a leak outside, check out the stars and the sounds around before getting back in the hammock.

[smidgen]

Me and my husband switched to dyneema tarps with doors last year. Best addition to our set ups.

[pauletteskalko]

Hi, enjoyed your adventure so much. Your vlogs were so well done, the photography and the description made it very easy to experience the AT with you. I hope you vlog your next hike too. Thank you!

[patricktompkins]

I also did the AT with a hammock. I opted for a 10x10 tarp over the stock fly for the extra coverage to cook under and to hang out under for lunch breaks on rain days.

[Lewman]

Thank you Jason, for such an informative video on how to do things, Looking forward to see your PCT hike, and following along. Hope you and the family are doing well. Have a great day! 🙂 And, Happy Hiking!

[lynx]

Thanks Frozen! All really good tips for us. I'm with you about putting on cold clothes, I also warm them up.

[sao]

Finally, somebody who knows about the day-to-day realities of camping on the AT rather than these gear-pushing posers. Very informative and honest.

[aranha]

Fantastic! Yep the site selection is priority, the four "W" are the best guide Wind, Widow makers, Water, Wood. I'm kayak camper, and frequently see people setting their tents in the open.... a sheltered spot comes first then the view. I like the pee bottle you don't need to open the hammock or come out of your blanket, also you don't risk to mess with your sleep system that I assume wont be washed for a while., and in the end you have a cozy hot water bottle to warm your hands or feet😊. Tarp always, if the weather is good, the bird are always up there....

[brianjones]

Peeing out the hammock 😂😂 nah fam I’m getting lost before I do that 🤣🤣🤣

[MelchizedekKohen]

Im doing this in Scotland this summer. Thanks for the info ✌️

[ianfrye]

That little montage at the end gave me good feels!

[MeOutside]

I have four hammocks including a bridge and two backpacking tents. I go back and forth on what I want to use. Hammocks give me the best sleep but my Duplex sets up in half the time.