[Now I have 2] Please help me decide what - TARP

[photohiker]

I agree with you Nick, but I think Tasadam's leech story was in a forest, and I was responding to that.

With hammocks in the highlands, there are often suitable trees about, just not where the rest of your ground dwelling group is going to camp. So probably best if everyone takes a hammock unless you are in forest or the chosen campsites are in or near known treed areas.

The other options are to take two shelter systems or to have an adaptable kit that will go to ground if needed.

[Aidan]

Cycling from NSW to Perth I made do with my Macpac Cocoon and a trailer tarp I bought from the local "Reject" shop.
I saw the same thing in SupercheapAuto as well as some supermarkets. I use a small one for a footprint and a large one
for multipurpose/overhead cover. I tried different positions for it but in the end I mostly used it strung in an "A" shape as when it was cold or windy (or both) I'd lower the single line to hang it low and keep in some warmth.
An ex serviceman (now grey nomad) showed me that trick after taking pity on my obvious lack of bushcraft.

[Son of a Beach]

I agree with you Nick, but I think Tasadam's leech story was in a forest, and I was responding to that.

Fair enough. I did the same walk a few years later and took a slightly different route. On the equivalent night of his leech story, there was not a tree in sight of our camp site that was more than waist high, and we didn't see any hammock-capable trees again until about lunch time the next day. It's just not worth the risk in most of the places I walk.