Hammock camping
Hammock Camping
Hammock Camping is a form of recreational camping where you sleep in a hammock rather than a conventional tent. In foul weather, a tarpaulin or tarp is suspended above the hammock to keep the rain off.
History
Said to originate in what is now Columbia more than 800 years ago, hammock comes from the word hamaca a Taino Indian word which means 'thrown fishing net'. On long fishing trips, the Indians would sleep in their nets, safe from snakes and other dangerous creatures.
Why camp in a hammock?
Hammock camping enthusiasts argue that hammocks don't harm the environment in the way that conventional tents do. Most hammocks attach to trees via removable webbing straps which don't damage the bark and leave little or no marks afterwards. Whereas it's easy to see a frequently-used campground because of the effect on the grass, scrub and topsoil, the presence of a hammock camping pitch is much harder to detect. This has found favour with hikers and campers who follow the principles of Leave No trace camping.
How it works
