Adventure

Hammock vs Hotel – The best option

In this great article from Lawrence we get his take on why he prefers his hammock to staying in a hotel, obviously we agree with him!

I’m (Lawrence) spending at least one night a week away from home at the moment. So I’m going to dive into the pros and cons of wild or free camping as opposed to hotel or B&B.

HOTEL PROS

– Breakfast included
– Can watch TV
– Known quantity
– Shower
– Can just roll into bed if tired
– Can do some work in the evening if you want

BUT A HAMMOCK IS ALSO A GREAT OPTION…

Free 

The big one is that it’s free if you have the kit. I paid £75 for a last minute hotel. I know that I can probably get Airbnb for as little as £25 a night but that adds up if you’re regularly away.

Amazing views 

Just wow. I found an amazing spot right by an estuary. I was really lucky with the weather (I’ll definitely be hammocking in bad weather and will blog about that too). The moon was so bright, the birds soothing me to sleep. It was simply magical.

Clean air/ clean mind 

Just being out on your own in the forest, away from the road and people is good for the lungs and good for the soul. If a free camp goes well I feel like I’m life hacking. Doing this differently and counter-culturally and that makes me feel good too.

Really comfy sleep

I’m not completely there yet, but I massively see the potential in the hammock in terms of comfort. I slept pretty well actually and the main thing that kept me awake at times was over heating! I tend to weigh up the next days work, if I have a massive pitch then a hotel might be the best option, mainly because of the hot shower. I also went to bed pretty early and just read a book with my head torch until I fell asleep.

Shower hacks

There is a beach near where I’m working that has a free shower. If you’re a member of gym then that would be the best solution. Or you can always wet wipe shower.

Flexibility

You can just sleep anywhere. I scout out places on google maps or ask people if they know any secluded bits of woodland. In this camp I actually know the person who owns this bit of woodland, so that was a definite advantage. I recommend that you pitch up just before dark and leave as early as you can so that you reduce the chance of bumping into a dog walker or angry farmer/ woodsman.

LEAVE EARLY. LEAVE NO TRACE

This was written by Laurence who lives in England and writes the excellent blog Chasing Wilderness – article source

If you have any comments then please drop us a message on our Outdoor Revival Facebook page

If you have a good story to tell or blog let us know about it on our FB page, we’re also happy for article or review submissions, we’d love to hear from you.

We live in a beautiful world, get out there and enjoy it.

Outdoor Revival – Reconnecting us all with the Outdoors.

Paul Pinkerton

Recent Posts

Ten Of The Most Stunning Waterfalls On Earth

Few sites in nature inspire more awe and wonder than waterfalls. As a result, these…

3 months ago

Nine Terrifying Birds That Look Just Like The Dinosaurs They’re Descended From

For a large number of animals, it's clear they descended from dinosaurs - think of…

3 months ago

There’s a Tree in California That’s So Special, You Could Go to Jail For Visiting It

Located deep in the heart of Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP) is the world's…

3 months ago

10 Unique Dive Spots From All Over The World

Considering that the Earth is covered by more than 70% water there are plenty of…

3 months ago

Steer Clear Of The 8 Most Dangerous Airports in the World

Most major airports are tucked away far from the main thoroughfares of cities, meaning tourists…

4 months ago

These Underwater Photos Will Make You Want To Never Swim In the Ocean Again

Imagine swimming through the ocean, having a relaxing float in a creek or adventuring in…

4 months ago