I've been seeing a lot of interesting things posted lately and have found a way to steal some great ideas from several people here. Bottom line, I think may have actually found my "final" suspension configuration.
Here's the overview (Note the Lash-it tarp line dangling from the tree strap) and the whole setup with the tarp deployed:
Here are some details:
The hammock end is gathered and "whipped" with a modified double sheet bend using a loop of 7/64 Amsteel Blue formed with a lanyard knot (AKA diamond knot, as in the loop shackle / nacrabiner). This terminal loop can be slipped over a toggle or captured using a fixed eye & scarab as described by TeeDee and TiredFeet, or even secured with a (double?) becket hitch. BTW, the black elastic is just for securing the coiled up ridge line. The ridge line has toggles at each end, deployed through the hammock's (very taut) end loop.
However, opie's modified loop shackle with the sliding bury and blood knot really caught my eye so I commandeered his idea and terminated my UCR with a bury-based eye** that securely captures the lanyard knot from the hammock. No scarab needed! Not as fast to (dis)connect as a toggle, but it's pretty cool.
I use a doubled over piece of slingshot rubber to grip the touchy end of the UCR. It works pretty well. Slows down the adjustment process a bit, but that's no big deal - takes me 15 seconds instead of 5 to set it right.
At the tree end I secure the fixed eye of the UCR with a backwards loaded slippery becket hitch that Q_x posted. I was much surprised at how well this knot holds, and how easily it releases. It's an exploding knot, and tugging on the slippery rip cord instantly pops everything loose from the tree It also lets me place the tarp line connection right at the tree, so I don't need to run a separate line around the tree for the tarp ridge line. Loading the hammock has little effect on the tarp suspension and tensioned guy lines readily take up the slight bit of slack that develops. Second image shows the setup with the tarp deployed.
All in all, I feel pretty satisfied with this configuration and will stay with it for a while... at least until the next new thing comes along.
** Edit: forgot to mention that the sliding bury has a lock in it about 3" down from the eye, followed by another inch of bury. It's basically a locked brummel with the lock moved down toward the tail of the bury. The lock is important for safety's sake.
Many thanks to all for the great ideas you share here so freely!
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