Poorman getting ready to hang

[Poppabear]

Welcome to the forums. You will find the answers to all your questions right here.

[crizyal]

Many folks recommend that your tarp be a foot or two longer than your hammock length (when it's hung) for good coverage, but the best thing to do is set up your hammock with the tarp and see how things go.

I was thinking that I would set up the 7x9 foot tarp diagonally. I would happily take some advice (from those in the know) in this regard. Would it simply be better to get a larger tarp? If so how big should one go?

[beep]

I was thinking that I would set up the 7x9 foot tarp diagonally. I would happily take some advice (from those in the know) in this regard. Would it simply be better to get a larger tarp? If so how big should one go?

Now there's an on-going debate for ya! The choice of tarp is one the areas that has even more variations than the choice of hammock!

Here's what I have. My "main" tarp is an OES MacCat Deluxe (SpinnUL fabric). It weighs (with suspension) just under a pound. It is a catenary cut, hexagonal tarp with overall dimensions of 130" x 104". The ridgeline length (just under 11 feet) works well with my Warbonnet Blackbird providing full coverage for the hammock (extending beyond the ends).

I also own the Grizz Beak "doors" from www.2qzqhammockhanger.com so that I can deploy this additional protection if needed in case of windy, inclement weather.

For cold and windy conditions, I have a Backwoods Daydreamer Winter Dream (about 22 oz in Silnylon) that provides extra length for easy pitching of the doors/end flaps. Its ridgeline is 11 feet with a 10 foot overall width, but the doors create a 13 foot total length.

The "right" choice of tarp for you will depend upon:
1. Your budget.
2. Your tolerance for packed weight (and bulk).
3. Your choice of hammock.
4. The expected weather (i.e. likelihood of wind/rain/blowing precipitation).
5. The expected seasons (i.e. winter camping may call for a different solution than summer-only conditions).
6. Your preference for a rectangle or hex or diamond shape.

[hiker_DC]

Looks like you have a good start to get you going. When I joined HF I too was overwhelmed by the amount of information. My advice to you is to pick one aspect of your hammock gear to change at a time. That prevented the burnout/overload for me when I switched from the ground to the trees.