Topic: first hammock ordered (Read 12051 times)

george81 · « **on:** April 07, 2014 »

So had a day off work, spent the day online which ofcourse lead me to the forum. After looking at the photos of the last camp I decided to order a new tarp and hammock. All tips on best setup welcome.

RedLeader · « **Reply #1 on:** April 07, 2014 »

You wont be sorry. What did you go for?

velvetmonkey · « **Reply #2 on:** April 08, 2014 »

For hammock suspension - Tree huggers and Whoopie Slings
For Tarp - Evenk knot at one end, Tautline hitch or Truckers hitch at the other.

Good work on buying the hammock - you'll not go back to tents!

george81 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 08, 2014 »

Ordered a basic one from Dd with a 3m tarp. Well impressed with their service, I ordered it after 3 yesterday and it wad delivered this morning!

RedLeader · « **Reply #4 on:** April 08, 2014 »

I have the DD and tarp, it's good gear.

This is what I reckon I've learned in no particular order.

Don't hang it too tight, it should hang banana shaped
If you aren't sure how tight you might like it use car roofrack straps to attach to a tree at one end, then it's dead easy to adjust
Your first few times make sure you've plenty of time to get setup in the daylight. If you're unconfident then setting up in the dark is a pain
Make sure there's nothing that would injure you if you fell. Not that I ever have but I find I dwell on it if I know there's a pointy rock beneath
Check the trees above to make sure there's nothing waiting to drop (good advice for all forest camping)
Lie diagonally across the hammock rather than straight down the middle, it flattens it a bit
If it's raining watch for water running down the straps that attach to the tree or tarp ridgeline (or use o-rings)
Personally, for some reason I find my ankles get cold pressing against the hammock. I've really no idea why but thick socks help
Gravity will always have your bum descend to the lowest point as you move around. It's easier to just start there rather than trying to lie with your head higher than your feet by pulling yourself up the hammock
You don't want to be too high or too low. I find the best height is where my feet can only just touch the ground when sitting on the lowest part of the hammock

Quote from: george81 on April 08, 2014

Ordered a basic one from Dd with a 3m tarp. Well impressed with their service, I ordered it after 3 yesterday and it wad delivered this morning!

Glenn B · « **Reply #5 on:** April 08, 2014 »

Quote from: george81 on April 08, 2014

Ordered a basic one from Dd with a 3m tarp. Well impressed with their service, I ordered it after 3 yesterday and it wad delivered this morning!

Up in the back garden tonight then

You'll not regret it they're fantastic best nights sleep ive had in a hell of a while I dont even want to think about going back out with my tent.. Have a look on YouTube for different set ups but try and not over study them like I did, it just over complicates it for you. My best advice would be just keep it as simple as you can and you wont look back. Let us know how you get on...

ranger rob · « **Reply #6 on:** April 09, 2014 »

I am new to hammocks also and with all the advice you will get from these folk is both welcome and great.

I agree on dont over think it keep it simple. Have tried webbing straps on its own and works for me simple and quick. But will be trying huggers and whoppie slings out next trip. as I say take advice from these folks and welcome to the forum.

I just made a home made under blanket out off army poncho liner some para cord and elastic cord all for 12 pound. looks job but let you know how it hangs next trip out.

specimanYak · « **Reply #7 on:** April 09, 2014 »

I'm waiting for one of you swingers to turn up at camp with one of these:

http://goo.gl/GjWDrs

LandyLiam · « **Reply #8 on:** April 09, 2014 »

Awesome

and I already have the disco ball to go with it

specimanYak · « **Reply #9 on:** April 09, 2014 »

And the lights as well.

Quote from: LandyLiam on April 09, 2014

Awesome and I already have the disco ball to go with it

Glenn B · « **Reply #10 on:** April 09, 2014 »

Dont think the platforms would be much use in the hills though

george81 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 09, 2014 »

Glenn if i had trees it would have been up already. May have to go find some woods to test, think im gonna cut down thé slings and try using thé remainder as tree huggers with a couple of karabiners.

hud · « **Reply #12 on:** April 10, 2014 »

A word of caution on shortening your whoopies; it will reduce your choice of hang spots - and with a tarp thats usually a good half metre longer each side you may struggle to get an ideal spot.

Also, wider webbing as a hugger does less damage to the tree itself...

I have the wide huggers, whoopies and a couple of heavy grade carabiners as o rings - setup is less than a minute and you get a much broader choice of spots.

george81 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 11, 2014 »

Thanks for advice and ordered whoopie sling kit, would have got it this morning but thé postie was acting like à ninja and left wee red card instead!

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Author Topic: first hammock ordered (Read 12051 times)

george81

first hammock ordered

RedLeader

Re: first hammock ordered

velvetmonkey

Re: first hammock ordered

george81

Re: first hammock ordered

RedLeader

Re: first hammock ordered

Glenn B

Re: first hammock ordered

ranger rob

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specimanYak

Re: first hammock ordered

LandyLiam

Re: first hammock ordered

specimanYak

Re: first hammock ordered

Glenn B

Re: first hammock ordered

george81

Re: first hammock ordered

hud

Re: first hammock ordered

george81

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