First night in an HH: uncomfortable.

**Alabammer** · 11-22-2009, 21:51

Went out two nights ago for first hang in an Exped Asym HH. Ridge line was level and under tension, per the instructions. Problem I kept having was that the fabric "pocket" for the feet seemed considerably lower than the entrance, such that my feet weren't really supported. Plus, the fabric around the entrance sloped upward, lifting my calves up. There didn't seem to be much of a "sweet spot" to be found, no matter how far out to the diagonal I tried to lay, or vice versa.

Any help/suggestions would be appreciated. I'd like this to be my rig for solo trips.

**Rug** · 11-22-2009, 22:10

How much tension was the ridgeline under? (guitar twang vs '2-finger' bend/flex)
How tall are you?

If i had to guess, i would say that you were not far enough into the hammock. Yes the entrance slit will touch your left calf, but not both your calves.

Try scooting further into the head-end of the hammock, bend your knee, and place a small bundle under your knees to add some support.

**Alabammer** · 11-22-2009, 23:13

I'm 5' 8". Ridgeline was pretty taut.

Thanks for the tips. Any thoughts on how far off-center to lay?

**Rug** · 11-22-2009, 23:30

Assuming the ridgeline is 12:00-6:00 (head to foot looking up) You want your head at 11 and feet at 5.
Or another way to think of it, Your right shoulder should be just 'touching' the middle of the hammock.

My head gets very close to the netting, my left calf crosses the entry slit just below my knee, and my toes are pointing towards the net (opposite my head).

Clear as mud?

Ridgeline taughtness: I hope somebody else corrects me if I am wrong but this is how I test my ridgeline. (works best when lying in the hammock)

Grab the ridgeline and hold it between your thumb and 2 fingers (index and middle).
Twist the ridgeline so the it is at 90 degree angle to the ground.
If you can only fit 1 finger then your RL is too tight.
2 Fingers = perfect
3 fingers = too loose.

I am 5'10" and I find that give me a good hang most of the time.

As a side note, make sure you hang the foot-end higher then the head end.

**BillyBob58** · 11-22-2009, 23:50

Folks vary, but I always have better luck with the foot end just a little higher than the head, rather than level, BEFORE I get in. Otherwise, I slide down into the foot end, which is not good.

I also do better with the RL not all that tight. Really just pulling it snug with one hand is enough for me. YMMV.

**JohnH** · 11-22-2009, 23:53

Originally Posted by Rug

Assuming the ridgeline is 12:00-6:00 (head to foot looking up) You want your head at 11 and feet at 5.
Or another way to think of it, Your right shoulder should be just 'touching' the middle of the hammock.

My head gets very close to the netting, my left calf crosses the entry slit just below my knee, and my toes are pointing towards the net (opposite my head).

Clear as mud?

Ridgeline taughtness: I hope somebody else corrects me if I am wrong but this is how I test my ridgeline. (works best when lying in the hammock)

Grab the ridgeline and hold it between your thumb and 2 fingers (index and middle).
Twist the ridgeline so the it is at 90 degree angle to the ground.
If you can only fit 1 finger then your RL is too tight.
2 Fingers = perfect
3 fingers = too loose.

I am 5'10" and I find that give me a good hang most of the time.

As a side note, make sure you hang the foot-end higher then the head end.

That seems REALLY loose for a ridgeline... I could be totally wrong but even laying in my hammock with a losse hange there is NO way I can put a 90 degree bend in my RL in any directions.

**warbonnetguy** · 11-23-2009, 00:30

this viedo might help, it's not for the hh, but the setup is similar. i just hit paly and had no sound, but my internet conncetion has been acting funny today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIo8E...layer_embedded

**JohnH** · 11-23-2009, 11:22

Originally Posted by warbonnetguy

this viedo might help, it's not for the hh, but the setup is similar. i just hit paly and had no sound, but my internet conncetion has been acting funny today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIo8E...layer_embedded

WOW. I must be hanging my hammock WAY too tight. Even when I have hanged it in what I would consider a loose configuration I do not get that much play in the line. I guess I have to try hanging it even looser and see how things turn out.

**warbonnetguy** · 11-23-2009, 11:25

it doesn't always have to be "that" loose, but is a good place to start

**BillyBob58** · 11-23-2009, 12:48

Originally Posted by JohnH

WOW. I must be hanging my hammock WAY too tight. Even when I have hanged it in what I would consider a loose configuration I do not get that much play in the line. I guess I have to try hanging it even looser and see how things turn out.

Just play with it. I was always pulling mine as tight as possible. Then I got one of those - dang can't remember what it is called- anyway a device for quickly securing and tightening a rope without knots. It made it easy for me to pull it real tight with little effort, and that is when I found out you really could pull it TOO tight. It made it quite uncomfortable. I think all that is really needed is so that the net is well away from your face.