what do you guys do with your rucksack to keep it safe and dry?

[SilvrSurfr]

Evil red squirrels caused me to get everything off the ground. It all hangs from my hammock suspension. So even if I'm carrying a 35 lb. pack, the hammock suspension can support it.

[FLRider]

I hang my water at the head end of my suspension and my (mostly-to-fully empty) pack at the foot end of my suspension. I don't leave anything water sensitive in either if it looks at all like rain, since I have a fairly minimalist tarp most trips these days.

What goes in my pack, to leave it so empty:

1.) My hammock (hung).
2.) My tarp (hung over hammock, either furled or deployed depending on weather; stakes get put in ground at proper places for quick deployment).
3.) My top quilt (in my hammock).
4.) My poncho (either suspended under hammock as a Garlington insulator or placed on the ground underneath as a footprint).
5.) My underquilt (if not using the Garlington; suspended under hammock).
6.) My hiking clothes (if on a trip with sub-40 F lows; goes into storage space inside my BB bag on the suspension).
7.) My ditty bag (with exception of my headlamp, which goes on ridgeline, it sits under hammock or on pack).
8.) My bear bag (food & cook kit; gets hung >50 ft from hammock).
9.) My Camelbak and filter, plus any additional water bottles (hung at head end of suspension).
10.) Map and compass (remains in hip belt pocket of pack, inside Ziplock).

My shoes get either hung from the hammock suspension or on the ground underneath the hammock, and my hiking poles are either leaned against a nearby tree or used for porch mode.

How much weight are you all hanging from the suspension? or end of the tarps?

Up to 7 lbs at the head end of my hammock, if I hang my (full) water bladder there; and up to 4 lbs at the foot end of my hammock, if I leave my ditty bag on my pack. Because I prefer an head-lower-than-foot hang, I put the heavier item at the head end. That way, it doesn't mess with the lie too much.

[Seeker]

This has been discussed MANY times before, but some of the common tips are to put the pack under the hammock on a ground sheet, to empty its contents and put it under your knees, to hang it from your hammock suspension covered with a pack cover, do the same from a tree, or to make a gear hammock like Just Jeff's and hang the pack inside the gear hammock, hidden and suspended under your hammock.

yup... i've used all these. during the day, if i'm away from camp, i just lay it in my hammock.

[rngn]

I just use A piece of paracord with carabiner to hang my pack from A tree limb about waist hieght so its easy to get thing in and out and then wrap my rain poncho around it

[steveflinn]

Evil red squirrels

that's just redundant

[Klaussinator]

Evil red squirrels

that's just redundant

-Klauss

[DuctTape]

Based on watching the squirrels figure out every bird feeder contraption my wife puts out there, I don't think hanging something from ones suspension will deter a squirrel. related, I once watched a mouse climb down the tree and walk across my suspension straps to the end of my hammock till I shook him off. This sequence was repeated for about an hour before I finally gave up and went to sleep. Just another reason I always use a bugnet, even outside of bug season. To stay on topic, my pack and shoes are under me on the ground. I fold over my gaiters to keep slugs out of my shoes. Pack is empty at this point.

[coolhndlke]

How much weight can you hold in the JRB Gear hammock/ Pack Cover while suspended?

[Hardhead]

This is where I keep my ruck when it is wet. I used to tie it to a tree but sometimes they are wet and dirty and get the waistband and back wet. So check out my RuckHanger. http://youtu.be/14rOZX7nrxY

TC

Just sat and saw the majority of your vids. Gotta say I was pleasantly entertained by your actions and not someone talking over the scene! Your set up was just fine! Also your cooking is on point as well! Keep up the good work!