Had to pick between a hammock and a tent for a solo trip in the Smokies

Last month I was heading to the Smokies for a 3 night solo trip and couldn't decide if I should bring my hammock or my little 2 person tent. I went with the hammock because I figured it'd be lighter and more comfortable. Big mistake lol - found a spot but the trees were all too far apart and I ended up sleeping on the ground under the tarp. Has anyone else had a setup fail like that mid-trip?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_henry20d ago

Man, that sounds rough! Did you at least have your tarp set up right to keep dry? I've made the mistake of not checking tree spacing before ditching my tent, and it's a whole new level of misery when you're trying to sleep on roots and rocks.

barbaragarcia20d ago

The last time I tried cowboy camping near a creek in Colorado, I picked a spot that looked perfect until 3am rolled around and the fog rolled in. @the_henry, I feel you on the tree spacing thing - I once wedged my hammock between two pines and woke up with the whole thing sagging into a puddle. What's worked for me is bringing those little foam earplugs and a groundsheet that's actually a few inches wider than my bag. Still, nothing beats a clear sky and a flat patch of dirt when you get it right lol.