Packing Hammock, Tarp, TQ, and UQ as a Single Unit

**Scottybdiving** · 02-07-2010, 10:45

I am going on a rafting trip on the Middle Fork Salmon River next June. Weight will not be a big issue since the gear will not have to be packed in, like I did in the Grand Canyon. I am pleased with ease and speed of my tarp setups for both hammocks. However, it seems like breaking down and stuffing the UQ/TQ, and then re-attaching them, is a little time consuming. I will be repeating the process for 6 nights.

Since everything will be going into dry bags, I am considering leaving the UQ/TQ, in/on the hammock and reefing it along with the tarp. If the weather is iffy, I may just tie it up and keep the tarp seperate, to be able to establish a shelter more quickly. Then stuff everything as a single unit into a dry bag as opposed to several smaller stuff sacks.

Any comments or ideas are appreciated.

**Ekul** · 02-07-2010, 10:50

My rig goes into one bag, e vent compression bag. WBBB,MTW4,ORM all fit nicely into the large size. Even if the weather is nice, I always seem to have condensation or moisture of some sort on my tarps in the AM so they never go into same bag with my quilts or hammock. Also, as you have stated if the weather is iffy, it is nice to have quick access to the tarp. GL

**angrysparrow** · 02-07-2010, 10:53

If you do that, plan for the hammock suspension to be removable (like ring/cinch buckles perhaps) so that a wet suspension won't get stowed with the rest. Otherwise, it should work fine.

I considered stuffing everything together, but decided not to. I have gotten in the habit of stuffing my top-quilt into it's sack before I ever leave the hammock in the morning. And my partial-uq deploys/stuffs in just a few seconds.

Agree with storing the tarp separately, in all weather.

**Scottybdiving** · 02-07-2010, 11:08

Good points on the tarp and the suspension. I know that it is important not to introduce any moisture into the dry bags, especially with the bedding.

**oldgringo** · 02-07-2010, 11:31

I just tried this, and it's slick...AHE biner to AHE cinch buckle...amsteel loop stays with the hammock.

**Just Jeff** · 02-07-2010, 11:35

I almost always stuff my hammock, UQ and TQ into the same blackbishop bag. I throw my TQ over the hammock ridgeline when I wake up and make breakfast so it can dry out a little, then pack it all up.

I ALWAYS store the tarp separately...not necessarily b/c it might have some condensation on it (though that is a valid point) but b/c I might have to set up in the rain later. I put it in the outer mesh pocket of my pack (no skins or stuffsack) so I can string it up w/o even opening the pack.

One change I made recently and am still tinkering with...I used to put the hammock/UQ/TQ into my pack first, so it sits on the bottom and opens the pack up. That makes for a very stable load, and since I use a frameless pack the part touching my hips/lower back was always soft. Then I realized that when setting up camp, everything else was in the way. In muddy weather, I had to pull out my food, clothes, etc...and try to hold them up out of the mud while I got the hammock out, then put them all back in w/o dropping anything, then set upt the hammock, etc. Now I put clothes on bottom, food bag next, then hammock, then any light insulation I might need for rest breaks, then snack bag with that day's lunch. Makes setup much easier, and the load balance/stability is still acceptable.

But...no problems storing the hammock/UQ/TQ in the same bag. Recommend storing your tarp separately in a place where you don't have to unpack anything until after you set it up.

**Scottybdiving** · 02-07-2010, 11:55

Do you tie or cinch everything together before stuffing it?

**Just Jeff** · 02-07-2010, 14:09

Nope - the UQ is already attached, and I just leave the TQ inside the hammock. If it's summer, the bug net is closed to keep everything in there. In winter when I don't have a bug net, I just fold the edges of the hammock together and try to make sure it gets in there, then make sure it doesn't hit the ground next time I set up. No special process...just stuff it carefully. That time savings and simplicity is why I do it. Plus I have to carry one less stuffsack. And since I no longer use a sack or skins for the tarp, that's two items gone from my pack.

**Knotty** · 02-07-2010, 14:45

Depending on your situation, you may not need to remove suspension lines, even if wet. Stuff so the two ends of the hammock are at the top, then lead the suspension lines out of the bag and secure so they can dry.

**Just Jeff** · 02-07-2010, 15:48

That's who I do it, too...with the BB bag, one suspension is coming out the bottom of the bag and I just let the other hang out the top, then wrap them both around the bag.

If everything is dry (and with no tree sap) I'll stuff them both inside the BB bag.