Equipment
If you are going on a hammock trip, you will of course need a hammock with suspension ropes. For an even more comfortable trip with a good night's sleep, it is also a good idea to purchase a mosquito net. This is especially important if you are camping in wooded areas with lots of mosquitoes and insects. It is also a good idea to have a sleeping bag and a thin sleeping pad in the hammock for insulation. Cold can quickly penetrate the thin hammock fabric. If rain is forecast, you will need a tarp to cover the hammock to keep the rain off.
Clothing
Dress for the weather, but bring extra dry, warm, and rainproof clothing in your backpack. If your feet get wet and you don't have a change of clothes, the whole trip will quickly become less enjoyable. Think layers! It's better to have to take clothes off than to not have enough clothes to put on!
Food
Here, only your imagination sets the limits. It all depends on what kind of camping stove equipment you have available. If you don't have camping stove equipment, the classic packed lunch is the way to go. Even though a packed lunch sounds boring, that doesn't mean it has to be! Bring fruit, sandwiches, nuts, or salad. Or bring it all! If you're going on a trip, treat yourself to something tasty to munch on while you lie in your bunk as the morning sun rises.
If you have a storm kitchen, you can make more advanced meals. Eggs and bacon, boil water for instant meals and coffee/cocoa. It's all about what you want to take the time to make and what you feel like eating! With a little planning and simple preparations, you can enjoy a real gourmet meal outdoors.
Packing your backpack
Here you have to think a little cleverly. What will you need to take out of your backpack first? Don't put this at the bottom. Most people will probably want to hang up their hammock as soon as they have found a suitable spot. So everything you need for your hammock should be at the top. Suspension rope, hammock, mosquito net, tarp, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag. After that, you might be a little hungry after the walk to the site. Then food can be the next thing you put in your backpack. If you are dressed appropriately for the weather, you will not need more clothes until the cold evening arrives. So the rest of the clothes you have with you can be placed at the bottom of the backpack. Make sure they can't get wet! We recommend packing dry extra socks and extra underwear in a plastic bag to ensure that they don't get wet if the backpack can't withstand a rain shower.
Hanging up the hammock
The first thing to do is to find two trees that are at a suitable distance from each other. By suitable distance, I mean that you, with your height, can comfortably lie between the trees. They cannot be too far apart, either, because then the suspension ropes on the hammock will not reach. If you are unsure, spread the hammock between two trees to see if the ropes reach each tree.
The next step is to tie up the hammock. This will vary depending on the type of suspension rope you have. Find out what type of rope you have and check online. The rope package usually comes with instructions for use.
Remember to hang the hammock quite high up in the tree. When you get into it afterwards, it will often sag and hang lower than you first think. Here, you just have to try it out. If it hangs too low and your bottom touches the ground, try tying it tighter and/or higher up in the tree. Also keep in mind that the hammock may sag a little during the night. After you have hung up the hammock, you can put on the mosquito net. To do this, thread the hammock into the net and hang it up on one side, then the other. Finally, throw in your sleeping pad and sleeping bag, and voila! Your camp for the night is set up.
Enjoy!
CHECKLIST OF THINGS TO BRING:
Hammock
Suspension rope
Mosquito net for the hammock
Tarp (if rain is forecast)
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad
Food for the number of days you will be out
Drinking water
Storm kitchen, if necessary
Extra set of warm clothes (thermal underwear, fleece, wool)
Extra set of waterproof clothing (rain pants, rain jacket)
Wet wipes
Flashlight (if you are not bringing your cell phone)
Power bank (if you want power for your Instagram photos)
Bag for trash
Band-Aids in case of accidents
Pocket knife
Toilet paper
Five things to remember
Check what type of sleeping bag you have. How many degrees/degrees below zero can it withstand?
It's a good idea to bring a hat to keep your head warm at night!
Set up your bed before it gets dark! It's tedious to fiddle with ropes and mosquito nets when you can't see anything.
Remember to pick up your trash! The place should look the same as when you arrived before you leave.
Enjoy the birdsong and fresh air!
