I was on a 9 dayer solo backpackinging trip. Space was at a premium. I spiked on a hogback ridge where there was absolutely no level ground. My tent was wrapped around a tree and "tight pitch" was a pipe dream. I figured a hammock would solve the "tight pitch" problem but then again, there's no guarantee you can find two trees at the correct distance from each other, that are next to a water source. It basically requires a scouting trip to determine what will or won't work. A free standing tent would probably be a reasonable solution to the problem of "unknown" accommodations. Still, I'm gonna give the hammock thing a try. Don't be like me and tie the wrong knot on you hammock and fall straight on your butt/backbone. It's way less funny than it sounds if you freefall straight on the base of your spine. Figure out what your doing "before" you float your body above ground. As far as keeping gear dry, a guy could carry the very lightest piece of plastic as a cover. It wouldn't take much to cover a pack and shoes, that would make it through a week or so. Then there's the question of cooking. A kitchen tarp would be nice if you didn't have a tent vestibule. It just takes one year of "no rain/sleet" to goad a guy into thinking that bad weather is for other people. I've seen a summer mountain storm come on so hard that the water coming off the rocks ran uphill and sprayed up like a fountain. If that doesn't happen, that's cool. Actually, it's very cool. Might not want to assume bad weather isn't in the cards. Neighborly hunting camps can go from 10 to zero, overnight when bad weather hits. Heck... I've pulled out my share of times. Just say'in, extreme crap weather can hit and mom isn't gonna be there with hot cocoa and a story.
I'll try the hammock thing with a respectful amount of caution. Frankly, trying it in the worst conditions is really the only way to evaluate it's worth. If I can sleep a straight 6 hours of good sleep, it may be worth it. Frankly, I don't do much better than that in a tent. Noises in the tent and outside, as well as having to pee takes care of that thing.
When your pitched on a hogback at 8000 feet, well friend, now we're flirting with timberline. Not in the sense that there's no trees, but having the right or proper trees is the thing. Dead snags don't work for me. I hate them although I've lived right with them. Anyway... hammock or tent... It's up to you but a scouting trip may well reveal what's up with your camp choice.