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Old 04-01-06 | 06:35 AM
  #24  
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stokell
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From: On the Road

Bikes: Custom built tourer, custom electric bike, beaters everywhere

Originally Posted by Peterpan1
Right now the biggest problem with them is the price tripples given current distribution if you are over 6'. It's a joke as a bivy. If you are going ot sleep on the ground you need a tarp/tent.

The fact that the manufacturer says they are easy on trees does not make it so. As a climber I have seen the damage webbing does to trees over a long enough time. And hammock loads are significantly higher than toprope loads. The impact of hammocks is probably zero in your average stealth situation, but it could be significant in a camping type area. There are some camping areas that require tents to go to specific platforms you couldn't mount a Henn. on. I feel we are in for a Snowboarding type reaction when the parks will at first not notice them, then restrict them, and finally maybe learn to live with them. Just a guess.
The tent/hammock debate goes on. I just can't imagine that a hammock could do more damage to the environment than a tent. A tent puts a huge 'footprint' on the flora. I believe hammocks are approved by various groups such as Leave No Trace for a good reason.

Finally, I can't imagine camping in a campground. Period. Cyclists simply do not belong between a Winnebago and an Airstream. We weren't meant to sleep on platforms and listen to the buzz of air conditioners all night while smelling the contents of a holding tank.
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