No...you can't get high enough to avoid bears with a hammock. I promise that. Hammocks are great for known areas. If you don't know what's ahead they really aren't so wonderful. A hammock held up with a pole or two will get you by as long as the weather is OK but if you find yourself in a windstorm it will be a real challenge and in the best case it will be flapping and noisy as all get out. A free standing tent is much more versatile. Voles, mice, squirrels, ravens and camp robber birds will be your biggest wildlife problem although I'll admit to having spent more than one night dealing with bears. Bring a good length of rope that does not stretch and trash compactor bags to get your gear up and out on a branch. Stretchy rope is a pain to deal with when getting gear out of the reach of bears.