The Commandments of Hammocking

[Jazilla]

11. Thou shalt convert the ground dwellers.
-Talk as often as you can to anyone who will listen about how truly awesome the hammock experience is. And how it makes kids grow big and strong and the elderly feel 20 years younger. Its like the fountain of youth in the woods, just ask any convert how they feel in the morning when they awake.

[Crash]

-THOU SHALT LOVE THY HAMMOCK WITH ALL THY MIGHT.
That should be the first commandment

[attroll]

Is someone compiles all of this into one articles and send it to me then it can be added to the article section for new hammock users to read.

[canoebie]

I am a newbie, waiting for my Claytor to get here any time, and I gotta tell y'all, that your commandments get my juices flowing. Now I have another excuse to get outside!! Thanks for the creativity and the "vision" you have developed with this. It is exciting and way fun!! What more could one ask of life?

David

[fin]

I am the highest style of camping, you shall not have lesser camping styles before me.


Pan

This should be added somewhere in the list!

[gunn parker]

Here is an updated list, I am sure I have them all and just added new ones to the bottom.
Should this list be culled back to ten only?

I have lost the formatting with this post but I have a copy of the html with formatting so it can be corrected later.
Gunn

1. Thou shall practice and understand your hammock BEFORE going forth to the woods.
-Lest thy spend the first night in a hammock planted firmly upon the ground.

2. Thou shall require Bottom Insulation.
- Hammocks get cold on the bottom in all but the warmest weather.
Using a pad, pod, or underquilt will keep you warm in diverse weather
conditions. Each system has its own unique pros and cons and temp ratings.

3. Thy Hammock shall be protected from the storm.
- You need a tarp to stay dry. Smaller tarps save weight and are good for
light rain with little wind. Larger tarps are required for wind blown rain and
to protect underquilts or pods from getting wet. Under and over covers
provide additional protection and some warmth

4. Thy Hammock shall not fall to certain doom.
- You need to think about your suspension system. There are plenty of options. Knots, ropes, webbing, rings, buckles and other gadgets to provide you with many ways to secure your hammock quickly and safely every time.

5. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's hammock.
- With so many different types of hammocks on the market, its hard to
know what to get. Comfort is very subjective. Your setup is very personal.
Try many different types if possible before making a purchase. Learn about
the different makes and models and decide what features you need or want.
Don't rule out making your own. It can be done easily and with little required skills.

6. Thou shalt not sabotage thine own hammock.
-Empty your pockets and belt of all sharp objects before entering the hammock.

7. Thou shalt take advantage of the versatility of hanging options a hammock provides.
-Don't settle for a plain flat camping spot when more unique opportunities are available. Make the most of your options by hanging across streams, between boulders, by scenic vistas, etc.

8. Thou shalt practice "leave no Trace" hanging.
-Do not cause damage to any tree or any wilderness area, Thou shalt not spoil it for everyone else.

9. Thou shalt make thy Hammock and Hammock System thy own.
-It's your hammock and hammock system. Don't be afraid to make whatever modifications are necessary to make it more comfortable, easier to set up or take down, etc.

10.Thou shalt choose thy hang with a care for your safety.
-No dead trees, or under "widowmakers" or between speeding trucks, or anywhere you may be harmed.

11. Thou shalt convert the ground dwellers.
-Talk as often as you can to anyone who will listen about how truly awesome the hammock experience is. And how it makes kids grow big and strong and the elderly feel 20 years younger. Its like the fountain of youth in the woods, just ask any convert how they feel in the morning when they awake.

12. Thou shalt love thy hammock with all thy might.

13. I am the highest style of camping, you shall not have lesser camping styles before me.

[fin]

Bump. I always loved this thread. Something for the newbies. We should put a sticky on this.

[whitefoot_hp]

Thou shalt allow ground dwellers to sample thy set-up.

Especially when you are the only hammock hanger in the current hiking group, you get a lot of irony filled questions from the ground folk such as "how do you sleep on your back?" or "how do you get comfortable in that thing?" Rather than laughing inside, allow your friend to realize his folly.

[cavediver2]

but they shall give it up when it's owners bed time

Thou shalt allow ground dwellers to sample thy set-up.

Especially when you are the only hammock hanger in the current hiking group, you get a lot of irony filled questions from the ground folk such as "how do you sleep on your back?" or "how do you get comfortable in that thing?" Rather than laughing inside, allow your friend to realize his folly.

[Patrick]

Thou shalt contribute to the Figure 9 thread.