The many ways to sleep outside
Backpacking is the ultimate vagabond lifestyle; you literally carry your house from A to B to Z.
“Real” life is complicated and overwhelms us with decisions about our careers, relationships, finances, and other existential issues. Trail life is…simple. Walk, eat, sleep, repeat. Put your phone in airplane mode and occupy your mind with questions like: “Where do I want to setup camp tonight?”
Because I do a lot of section hikes in a variety of environments, I’ve had the gamut of sleeping experiences. No favorites here, just different preferences for different situations.
Tents
The standard go-to is to camp via a tent. It provides the most coverage, privacy, and space. Super ultralight folks use tarp tents (i.e. a lightweight sheet propped up on a hiking pole and shaped via stakes), but many thru-hikers will use one- or two-person standard backpacking tents (e.g. I own the Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2). For tent camping, all you need is a (relatively) flat plot of land the size of your footprint groundsheet, and maybe some rocks to hold down your stakes. Personally, I only ever sleep in a tent if there’s rain in the forecast.
Hammocks
I’m in the honeymoon phase with hammocking… It probably has something to do with spending many summer afternoons creating hammock cities in Brooklyn’s McCarren Park with my friends. All you need are two sturdy trees standing ~10–15 feet apart. True hammockers have a mosquito net and rain tarp to string above their hammock; I, on the other hand, rely on a combination of face nets, weather forecasts, and AT shelters to cope (I am not best practice).
Shelters (AT only)
The Appalachian Trail spoils its hikers with three-walled, wooden shelters that provide the ultimate ‘glamping’ experience. Spaced every 5 to 15-ish miles along the trail, they are super helpful during inclement weather (e.g. my entire trip through the Smokies in 2018). Most shelters have a privy/outhouse, a water source, a picnic table, and a fireplace — all very appealing for hikers to flock to, whether for a 10-minute rest stop or an afternoon lunch or an overnight recharge. Yes, they are overrun with mice, but a few furry friends never hurt nobody!
Cowboy Camping
Ahh, I saved the best for last. The OG outdoor experience; the most versatile camping setup; the least obstructed view of a night sky; the easiest sleeping arrangement to escape from for a midnight trip to pee. Cowboy camping simply requires a tarp (preferably, Tyvek) and a high tolerance for the elements. I have an above-average affinity for cowboy camping (e.g. Guitar Lake…elevation 11,493 ft), but most people choose this option and forgo shelter when the weather is nice, mosquitos are quiet, and there’s access to a good view. Pro tip: end your day by climbing a bald mountain and cowboy camping at the top!
There you have it! The many ways to sleep outside. You can opt for solid ground or hanging freely, you might desire shelter or open-air, or you could say ‘screw it’ and hike the extra 5 miles into town that evening for hot showers and a hostel bunk. As a final cherry on top, please enjoy a how-to video for setting up and taking down camp:
