How High is too High?

**Wabbajack** · 10-26-2010, 17:50

Hello again all, enjoying the site immensely. Just wondering about hammock height. I like to backpack through some wooded areas just outside the city which has been known to harbor criminals and delinquents. Due to this, I keep all of my stuff (it's not much) with me in my hammock and I prefer to set up my hammock higher in the trees (ie, 4-8 metres above ground) so I stay stealthy.

Just wondering what's the highest you've set up your hammock and what the limit should be. I'm like a monkey when it comes to climbing trees so it doesn't take much to set up and get in/out of the hammock. It also adds some excitement!

**Cannibal** · 10-26-2010, 17:55

As high as you're willing to fall is the standard response.

I would be tempted to hang high in a hammock like Claytor's Bat Hammock simply because it wouldn't be that difficult to pulley yourself up to the selected height. A traditional two-point attachment hammock would be a hassle not only to set-up, but also to get in and out of during the course of the night. Then again, I'm getting older. I would never have said such a thing 5 years ago.

**Swingus_Maximus** · 10-26-2010, 17:55

I bet shug has a video with the answer. I can only picture a Swiss Family Robinson like set-up.

**slackmacker** · 10-26-2010, 17:58

You can go as high as you are willing to fall! It sounds like a trade off, get stabbed/shot or hope you gear holds and you hang like an ape.

**muttly** · 10-26-2010, 18:03

Researchers who study the Giant Redwoods in California sometimes sleep in a type of hammock called Tree Boats http://www.newtribe.com/TBhome.htmas high as 300 ft.

They also wear harnesses when they sleep. Intelligent. All that college edumacation is paying off.

**Wabbajack** · 10-26-2010, 18:13

As yes, good responses. I should look at a harness for high hangs, those 300ft ones would be awesome! I always inspect and test my gear before I go out so falling isn't usually something I'm worried about.

The best part is if I have to do some business in the middle of the night I fashioned a little zip in a strategic area so I don't have to get in and out for a leak!

I've also found that the wind can be a little more harsh as you get higher and out of tree cover so I'll probably have to get some better insulation.

**KerMegan** · 10-26-2010, 18:16

also check on the topic of stealthyness; some good tips on remaining un-observed...

**Law Dawg (ret)** · 10-26-2010, 18:23

Weighing almost five pounds, Treeboat isn't your "ultra light" camping gear. But our delight in having living-room comfort out in the wilderness prompted us to say, "It's not heavy, it's my TREEBOAT!"

Finally a hammock that incites the inner weight watcher in me...5 lbs!? All that and almost as expensive as a Clark 250 with none of the amenities! But wait, there's more! It seems not to allow any type of asym lay! Sign me up...NOT.

But seriously; if there really is no other place to set up, go for stealth above height. Motivated thugs will get to you anyway if you can be located. Lay out dry branches and other local noise makers around your camp and keep a can of the highest percentage pepper spray you can find.

**jloden** · 10-26-2010, 18:43

Originally Posted by muttly

Researchers who study the Giant Redwoods in California sometimes sleep in a type of hammock called Tree Boats http://www.newtribe.com/TBhome.htmas high as 300 ft.

They also wear harnesses when they sleep. Intelligent. All that college edumacation is paying off.

That is pretty cool!