Where do you Hang? - Site Selection

[Armchair Guy]

Well I normally learn from mistakes but I thought I might try something different. I'm still looking for good advice on where to set up my hammock/tarp and site.

I've set up right next to the water with beautiful views and killer wind, I've set up on the low side of a field and had a stream under me when it rained, I've set up too close to garbage cans, I've hung on a dead tree and my hammock kept sagging because the tree was leaning with my weight (thank God it didn't fall!), I've hung my tarp too high and the wind blew rain in sideways, I've hung at the top of a hill and the wind almost took my tarp... Did I mention I learn from mistakes...

What do others look for in a site? What makes a good site?

• Views?
• Wind?
• Weather?
• Dew?
• Slope?
• Porch space?
• Runoff?
• Fire Position?
• Cooking Area?

I'm looking for good stories or good rules of thumb... some thing like don't camp in a dry riverbed... 70 steps away from campsites and water...

Thanks!

[Caminante]

I could have sworn that somebody had written up a really detailed article on wind direction, sun rising, moon setting orientation, etc., but I can't find it. To me, you've already discovered one of the biggies which is dead trees / widowmakers. I tend to check for dead branches even with live trees. I was camping one night in my backyard woods during an ice storm and the sound of branches falling all around me was appalling, though I knew I was good in my immediate area.

My primary consideration is finding a couple of good trees ~13-14' apart if possible with good ground underneath, because you never know. If there is a prevailing wind at the time, I'll try to get perpendicular to it so that my tarp blocks it, but if it's not blowing I don't ruminate on morning/evening wind directions up or down a mountain or in or off the sea.

I pitch a "fair bit" from the fire ring. My buddy singed his brand new Mariposa pack in Yosemite last September by setting it on a stump next to the fire, I'd hate to have that happen to my tarp/hammock/quilts/pack/etc.

I usually cook in the fire area, not around my hammock.

If there's a good view, I usually go for it, even if it might open me up to some wind. Porch mode with a nice view is one of the simpler pleasures.

[Chrisja77]

Porch mode really is one of the simple pleasures of life!

[TrailSlug]

Uh, in the woods Sorry I couldn't resist. This seems to be to be a simple question but now that you ask it may not be easy to answer. For me it's typically dictated by tree selection and I hope for all the rest as in a good view, close to water, etc.

[dkurfiss]

Here are a few good threads on the subject

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...Hammock-Set-Up
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...A-Hanging-Site

And from JacksRBetter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzDUs7tgikg

[Dylan D]

Never really put much thought into it other than widowmakers. The way I see it I can be prepared for most of the other things. Ex hanging up my pack to get it out of water, doors on tarp etc. so really anywhere close to a water source (optional) and not on dead trees! (Definitely not optional)


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[Pipswich]

My least favorite hang was between a tree and a porch pillar at the edge of a building at a Scout camp when my sons patrol was the only one at the camp. I positioned myself to serve as a sentry in case anyone (or a critter) tried to enter camp and/or go into the building. There was a long mowed lawn running all the way to a local highway and the entrance gate... My son and others hung further back in the trees and were sheltered from wind. In effect, they were all in the woods and happy campers. I spent the night thinking I was along an interstate in a wind tunnel. I will probably risk the food, rather than subject myself to highway traffic noise and unnecessarily exposed hang positions again.

[Rphen]

Here are a few good threads on the subject


And from JacksRBetter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzDUs7tgikg

Just when you think you've got it all dialed in, you learn something new to use your hiking poles for! Very cool!

[P-Dub]

I've set up right next to the water with beautiful views and killer wind, I've set up on the low side of a field and had a stream under me when it rained, I've set up too close to garbage cans, I've hung on a dead tree and my hammock kept sagging because the tree was leaning with my weight (thank God it didn't fall!), I've hung my tarp too high and the wind blew rain in sideways, I've hung at the top of a hill and the wind almost took my tarp... Did I mention I learn from mistakes...

It sounds like you might have some stories that would be fun to tell, and maybe win an "award" !!

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...our-Epic-Fails!

[Shug]

Usually the site selects me.
Shug