Shelter up north

[sweetade]

I am heading to Kakadu in April (hot, possible rain) and wondering whether I could be lighter and more comfortable than my current Marmot one-person tent which weighs 1.8 kg. I was thinking perhaps fly plus mozzie dome or net plus groundsheet. I was pretty hot inside the Marmot last time I used it up north. I am not hugely practical so I need something not too difficult to set up. Any advice?

[nq111]

Hammock, hammock, hammock!!!

Getting off the ground with the air=flow all around helps greatly to keep cool. It is the number one reason I initially purchased a hammock. Indeed it is very easy to get too cold, even in warmish temperatures, and would be worth taking at least some light (e.g. 3-5mm) closed cell foam as under insulation.

Check out hammock forums on the net for the options and considerations. Set-up is easy with a few things like whoopie slings - don't be daunted, just get what you want and practice a few times around home and you will work it out.

[missingdna]

+1 for the hammock idea. best damned invention ever, just a shame its taking so long for people in Oz to realise it.....

[sweetade]

Interesting idea I had not thought of.
Any specific suggestions for what to get and from where?
What do I do about rain and bugs if I sleep in a hammock?

[nq111]

Modern camping hammocks have full bug netting and rain protection - a tent swung between trees! Research at http://hammockforums.net/. Some of these guys push it to the extreme (like camping within the polar circle in winter) but tropical conditions are where the advantages of a hammock shine.

Hennessey Hammocks are the commercial original and make a large range of very good hammocks but there are many other options that are just as good (or worse or better depending who you ask).

[clarence]

Hi Sweetade

I cycled across northern Australia some years ago and did some extended hiking as well.

We were there in July to Oct (dry season) cycling from Townsville across to WA and down the west coast. We carried a full tent with fly and inner for our cycling, and the inner had about 70% mesh panels on the walls. If we had a private campsite away from the road/rest area we would set up the inner tent with no fly. WE did a five day walk in Nitmiluk and used the inner only with no fly- we didn't even take the fly with us. The other girl with us on that walk had a ground sheet and a cheap insect net and no fly either. None of us had any problems (but that is dry season when rain is extremely unlikely). It is a strange thing heading out for five days without a tent fly or tarp of any description! Myself and partner shared a 300gram fill down bag (800gm total weight) as a duvet between us for the whole time we were in northern australia and never even came close to being cold.

In the thread "advice on equipment for beginner" in this section I posted a reply recently regarding flies and insect nets for hot areas, that is what I would recommend over your current tent. Otherwise the hammock is a good option, provided you have campsites with trees of some description. (I do wonder how one could use a hammock in the arctic unless if was string off icicle stalactites?) I have one of the early ultralight hennessy hammocks (680g total weight incl fly and strings) and have not seen any other brand that is nearly as good since I bought it, that is readily available in australia (thought there may be other good ones out there). I don't think you can go too far wrong with a hennessy.

The big benefit to carrying a tent fly (especially the flat "tarp" variety) is that it can get outrageously hot up there, and having something to string up and get under during the heat of the day cannot be stressed enough. If you took a 3mx3m fly and an insect net and floor it would be ample for two people at less than 1.8kg I'd reckon.

Clarence

Last edited by clarence on Sun 18 Mar, 2012 6:28 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[Moondog55]

Even if you take a hammock I second the use of an extra large or bigger tarp, mossie protection and shade were my biggest priorities when I visited years ago, no hammock I was using a swag on the ground

[ULWalkingPhil]

My Warbonnet Blackbird 1.1 Dbl hammock including ropes is 660grams.

Not available in Australia but you can order online from the US

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

[sweetade]

Some feedback following my trip ... I ended up using my old Marmot, and had no problems with it (Kakadu, April, hot weather, risk of rain but not much rain eventuated). Most nights I used the inner tent only, and attached the fly on one side without putting it over the top of the inner, so that I could flip it onto the inner quickly if it rained. Although I'm sure I could reduce tent weight for one person to below the Marmot's 1.8 kg, I found using my new Aarn pack so comfortable that I wasn't too fussed. I also like the sturdiness of the Marmot.

[mattmacman]

Im going to Kakadu in 2 weeks! How was the weather? Im doing a 9 day hike and am wondering wether there was any trees that you could hang a hammock from? I have never hiked in the NT. Is there any chance of rain?

[sweetade]

I do not know the expected weather at this time of year - I'd imagine it's dry season now, but you'd need to check it out. Re trees, it depends on where you're going. The walk I did, in the south of the park around Barramundi, included one campsite on a rock ledge overlooking a creek - definitely no trees there!