My take on the whole 'ultralight tent vs. hammock' thing for the PNW

Everyone on the trail last year near Mount Rainier was pushing hammocks for the weight savings, but I stuck with my old 3-pound Big Agnes tent. The constant damp and lack of good trees in some spots made the tent the clear winner for me, even with the extra weight. Has anyone else found the hammock hype doesn't match the reality in certain places?

3 comments

3 Comments

hugowright1mo ago

Totally get that. Had the same issue up near Baker last fall. Woke up in a puddle because I couldn't find two decent trees that weren't soaked. Went back to my old tent after that trip.

beth_kelly1mo ago

Wait, did you pitch your tarp flat or with a steep angle? A good pitch should shed water even on wet trees. Mine held up in a downpour last week because I made sure the ridgeline was tight and the sides were steep.

williams.drew1mo ago

Wait, did you mean Mount Rainier or Mount Baker? The tree line is way different between those two spots.