Hammocks in the Desert

[footslogger]

Have read/heard that some hikers carry a hammock on the PCT. I have a tarptent that I plan on carrying for most of the trail but in the interest of keeping things light I was wondering if a hammock is practical in the desert.

Specifically, are there sufficient trees/structures to tie off a hammock OR do you end up having to pitch it on the ground like a tent ?? Not interested in the ground hammock approach but would consider hammocking if I could hang it off the ground.

Thanks in advance ...

[footslogger]

Curious if a hammock would be practical in the desert section(s) of the PCT. Are there any trees/structures to tie off a hammock ??

Not interested in pitching a hammock on the ground like a tent but if it is possible to hang it above ground I might be tempted, in the interest of weight.

Thanks in advance ...

[Ender]

There are occasionally places to set up the hammock while in the desert, and as soon as you gain elevation and enter the mountains there will be something to hang it from. But, chances are you'll just end up laying out under the stars and not pitching anything when in the desert. I thought I was going to pitch my shelter every night, but after three days I stopped pitching my tarp in the desert. I used my hammock once I picked it up once I was out of the desert, but in the desert I would just throw down my groundcloth and pad and bag. Made for a 3 minute camp setup and 5 minute camp takedown.

[Ender]

You also have the option of just setting up the tarp from the hammock if there's going to be a chance of rain (unlikely, but it does happen from time to time, especially way down by Mexico). Since there aren't really any bugs to speak of in the desert, it's all you need and would be much easier to set up than the tarp and hammock.

[Magnet_]

You might find some related info in this post:
http://adventureonthepct.com/showpost.php?p=758&postcount=11


also, from the pct-l archives:
http://www.backcountry.net/arch/pct/0403/msg00694.html

[Palmer]

What about in the high Sierras? Are there places where you're forced to camp above treeline and can't find anyplace to hang a hammock?

[Ender]

Well, if you plan carefully, you could probably drop down below treeline every night to hang, but it's so darn pretty once you get up there you won't want to come down! A lot of my time in the High Sierras I just threw down my groundcloth and slept. The last third of the High sierras I started using the hammock every night though, because much more time was spent below treeline, and the bugs got BAD. They usually went away during the night, but for that time in between hiking and sleeping, I wanted a place to escape to bug free.