A park ranger told me to stop hammocking after 2 nights and I'm glad I listened

I used to think hammocks were the best thing for camping. Set up between two trees, no rocks poking your back, easy pack. Last summer at a spot near Bend, OR this ranger walked by while I was hanging and said 'youre gonna wreck that tree bark and your spine.' I laughed it off. But by the third night my lower back was killing me and I noticed the straps had stripped a chunk of bark off this old pine. So I switched to a ground tent with a proper sleeping pad. Took me like 4 trips to get the setup right, but now I sleep way better and I dont feel guilty about the trees. I still bring the hammock for lounging during the day, just not for sleeping. Anyone else get corrected by a ranger and change their whole routine?

2 comments

2 Comments

johnson.adam13d ago

Whoa wait, it stripped the bark off an old pine in just a couple nights? That's wild, I had no idea hammock straps could do that much damage that fast. I mean, I always figured the trees would be fine, like they're tough and all. That back pain thing is interesting too, because I always thought hammocks were supposed to be better for your spine, not worse. Idk, maybe it just took you longer to notice the damage because you were sleeping okay at first. Good on the ranger for saying something, I probably would've been annoyed but I'm glad you listened.

paul33012d ago

@johnson.adam wait until you see what a ratchet strap does, way worse on the cambium.