Tarp tent camping in wilderness

wooliewill89

New Member
Apr 11, 2016
24
0
Fontana Ca
Hello everyone! This question has probably been asked to death but, I recently got a DD Hammocks 3x3 tarp, trekking poles and would like to know what people thoughts are on taking just the tarp or a tarp w/ hammock out?

What's the benefits and down sides?
What bivy system that's reasonably priced to Go with it? there's probably more to ask but basicly what do you guys think? This would be used for day-1 night stays in the Cucamonga Wilderness in Southern Ca and possibly White Mountain area in X9c zone. Thank you all and I look forward to hearing from you!
 

brianboh

Active Member
Jun 4, 2015
396
1
Powell, Wyoming
Hello everyone! This question has probably been asked to death but, I recently got a DD Hammocks 3x3 tarp, trekking poles and would like to know what people thoughts are on taking just the tarp or a tarp w/ hammock out?

What's the benefits and down sides?
What bivy system that's reasonably priced to Go with it? there's probably more to ask but basicly what do you guys think? This would be used for day-1 night stays in the Cucamonga Wilderness in Southern Ca and possibly White Mountain area in X9c zone. Thank you all and I look forward to hearing from you!
My question would be what are your thoughts in using a tarp or hammock in grizzly country.
 

ivorytip

Veteran member
Mar 24, 2012
3,769
50
44
SE Idaho
I was watching some stupid survival show on Netflix and they said they were in northern California and they said they were extra nervous about the grizzly bears. I sat there for a moment thinking how dumb the people are who create some of these shows. ha. I do have to say that I enjoy my one man, 2 man tent with floor. I do want t o try hammock thing out though in real hunting conditions
 

JimP

Administrator
Mar 28, 2016
7,338
8,733
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Gypsum, Co
All a tent does to protect you from a bear is to give you a false feeling of security.

What you can't see can't hurt you.

I also like the reality shows where they play on your fears and telling you about the viscous animals that are out there just waiting to jump on you so that they can eat you.
 

ivorytip

Veteran member
Mar 24, 2012
3,769
50
44
SE Idaho
that false feeling of security is sometimes what's needed to sleep good though. same way the monster in your closet cant get ya if you cover your head with blankets:)
 

wooliewill89

New Member
Apr 11, 2016
24
0
Fontana Ca
That's true about the feeling of "security" I told my girl that it wouldn't matter if a bear wanted in. The tent isn't Gona help at all lol. My idea is to get a bug bivy and use a "tipi" type pitch" help with bugs and the small door might make me feel better,need more practice though.
 

Ikeepitcold

Administrator
Staff member
Feb 22, 2011
10,077
1,685
Reno Nv
I would try sleeping in the hammock at your house overnight before you commit to it. I tried it on a deer hunt and it was miserable! I had my buddy that was joining me stop by my house and get my tent the next day.
 

ScottR

Eastmans' Staff / Moderator
Staff member
Feb 3, 2014
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www.eastmans.com
Yup, always tear it out. Some guys love hammocks. I am not in that crowd. I do however see the potential advantages for staying off the ground if it is a good night sleep for you.


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brianboh

Active Member
Jun 4, 2015
396
1
Powell, Wyoming
Ha I know there are not grizzly in California. It was a general question. I absolutely love a hammock. Prob need the right setup and tightness to be comfortable. First time a slept in one was awful but it had a lot of slack in it. Also I know a tent is not going to keep a bear out however I have read that it is a barrier that could deter a bear
 

JMSZ

Active Member
Sep 5, 2012
376
0
Ha I know there are not grizzly in California. It was a general question. I absolutely love a hammock. Prob need the right setup and tightness to be comfortable. First time a slept in one was awful but it had a lot of slack in it. Also I know a tent is not going to keep a bear out however I have read that it is a barrier that could deter a bear
Or it might just tell the bear there's something good to eat inside :)

They just had a bear rip through a tent and injure a guy in the Angeles national forest. From what little info the news put out, it sounds like the bear was just curious and caught the guy with his claw, not an attack, but they're trying to find it and kill it anyway.
 

theleo91386

Member
Apr 20, 2016
74
0
Attach a bell to your cooler, it will let you know he's working on the main course and will soon be visiting you for desert.
 

wooliewill89

New Member
Apr 11, 2016
24
0
Fontana Ca
Oh wow really? I didn't hear about that one, be nice to have heard of it since I was Gona solo over night there soon lol! Should be ok though, bear just better not show up when I have my bow and tag in hand :cool:
 

hike2hunt

New Member
Oct 9, 2011
5
0
Western WA
It's a great setup, I was using an ENO hammock with Tyvek tarp my trips into the Golden Trout Wilderness, bears were no problem, the comfort of a hammock kinda depends on your back and how you like to sleep, I run a Kifaru paratarp now, and have used the Mtn Smith LT, all good systems, sleeping on the ground or sleeping off is matter of location and comfort.
 

colohunter

New Member
May 25, 2016
26
1
By the time you add up the weight of a tarp and a hammock, you might as well have brought a fully enclosed tent. I usually carry a Kifaru Supertarp during the summer. Bugs dont scare me and where I am usually trekking snakes are a non-issue (too much elevation). If a bear wants to eat you in the middle of the night; It doesnt matter what wrapper you are in, you'll still look like a candy bar.
 

brianboh

Active Member
Jun 4, 2015
396
1
Powell, Wyoming
By the time you add up the weight of a tarp and a hammock, you might as well have brought a fully enclosed tent. I usually carry a Kifaru Supertarp during the summer. Bugs dont scare me and where I am usually trekking snakes are a non-issue (too much elevation). If a bear wants to eat you in the middle of the night; It doesnt matter what wrapper you are in, you'll still look like a candy bar.
I like to think of it as a big in the blanket. Its just something about hearing one sniffing on the other side of a tent then one licking my face in a hammock. Hammocking in Black Bear country does not phase me. However in Grizzly country I don't really know what I think yet. Lets be honest they are not around every tree but are there. This GA boy aint used to them. I will let you know how it works out after I go into the Thorofare this September.
 
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colohunter

New Member
May 25, 2016
26
1
Good luck, even in Colorado (no griz here) my Ruger Redhawk is always within arms reach. Not that I have any expectation of a bear encounter, I just dont do much of anything without a firearm readily deployable.
 

okcaveman

New Member
Aug 21, 2016
7
0
I've gone back and forth on this very thing in planning for a backcountry elk hunt. I love hammocks, but definitely see a benefit in a small tent. Will probably end up with both to try out at some point..

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