Ring Buckles and Garda Hitch

**Oxblood** · 07-19-2010, 12:27

So, this weekend I decided to give ring buckles and the garda hitch a try. I had previously been using ClamCleats, but JustJeff's article on his web page about the Garda Hitch got me to thinking. I had some spare descending rings kicking around as I had earlier tried out HeadChange4U's idea of a ring based, modified trucker's hitch (very cool idea, and it is so easy to adjust the HH suspension with). So I droped them into carabiners, and ran the stock HH cord through the rings. Talk about nice, easy straight forward and fast tensioning of the lines. Sweet!

Many thanks to Jeff for his article on the Garda Hitch, and his excellent web site. In just the two or so months that I have adopted hammocking, I have learned so much here, and at the web sites run by jeff and SgtRock. Everyone here is awesome, and thanks for converting me to the joys of hanging around.

**Savage** · 07-19-2010, 12:29

Could you post some pictures of your rig? Thank you.

John

**trekkingnut** · 07-19-2010, 12:32

i have done so many videos about the garda hitch with HH.... its becoming an unhealthy obsession... it cuts the set up effort down to virtually nothing, and you can also use it for trees that are too fat for the tree huggers!

sigh.... it is a little heavier than the standard set up i grant you, but its a balance between simplicity/awesomeness and weight i guess....

**Wisereader** · 07-19-2010, 12:48

I am anxious to try this out, but am having initial trouble finding a local outfitter that carries climbing grade rings and biners.

**trekkingnut** · 07-19-2010, 12:58

Originally Posted by Wisereader

I am anxious to try this out, but am having initial trouble finding a local outfitter that carries climbing grade rings and biners.

really??? it seems to be really easy to find them in the US from what ive heard.... there are only two places in the uk that sell them at all!!!!

**Oxblood** · 07-19-2010, 13:05

Originally Posted by Wisereader

I am anxious to try this out, but am having initial trouble finding a local outfitter that carries climbing grade rings and biners.

Wisereader, any good, backpacking and mountaineering supply shop should carry them. Is there an REI or similar outfit near you? If not, order em online from REI.

Savage, sorry, no pics. I am notoriously bad for not taking pics of anything. But the set up was easy:

1. Wrap huggers around the trees, and close with the carabiner's wide end.
2. Rings drop onto the narrow end and hang lose.
3. Wrap the suspension around the rings in the Garda Hitch.
4. Pull to adjust the suspension, and secure with a couple of slippery half hitches.

JustJeff has a good write up with pics on his pages here http://www.tothewoods.net/HammockCam...ion.html#Garda.

If you are weight conscio0us, they may not be the best choice. Me, I travel on a motorcycle on remote roads. Weight, while a concern, is not as acute as if I were into the UL Backpacking style. The nicest parts are there are no modifications required to the hammoc or tree huggers themselves.

**Wisereader** · 07-19-2010, 13:11

Originally Posted by trekkingnut

really??? it seems to be really easy to find them in the US from what ive heard.... there are only two places in the uk that sell them at all!!!!

That must really be dependent on where in the US

Western New York is not a hot-bed for climbing.

Originally Posted by Oxblood

Wisereader, any good, backpacking and mountaineering supply shop should carry them. Is there an REI or similar outfit near you? If not, order em online from REI.

No REI here. We have an EMS, but no climbing stuff. I most likely will have to order from an online source. Thanks!