Best Length for Tree Huggers?

**warbonnetguy** · 11-28-2007, 16:26

yeah, i think that is one of the best ones from the whole fig 9 thread. i am difinately planning on making one

**Patrick** · 11-28-2007, 16:48

I thought it was, too. The only issue so far is that, when you run the webbing through all three slots, it's not quick-adjustable like a backpack strap. You can adjust it, but it takes a second.

Not a big deal, though. The line adjusts and ties off in no time. I really like these.

**warbonnetguy** · 11-28-2007, 17:54

Originally Posted by Patrick

I thought it was, too. The only issue so far is that, when you run the webbing through all three slots, it's not quick-adjustable like a backpack strap. You can adjust it, but it takes a second.

Not a big deal, though. The line adjusts and ties off in no time. I really like these.

what if you just had 2 slots like the plastic ones on backpacks, the ones you can just pull? would it slip? did the origional have 3 slots or 2?

**Just Jeff** · 11-28-2007, 20:58

I had a hammock hung like that on the same tree for a while and I started noticing the needles turning brown. I took it off and the tree looked healthy again. It could have been from the constriction of the hugger...but I'm sure one or two nights wouldn't damage a tree.

One thing, though - it's a little difficult to do the figure-8 lashing on one loop like that. I usually passed the cord through the webbing's loop a second time...made it easier for me.

**Patrick** · 11-28-2007, 22:40

andersj's had three. So did my prototype, although the slots were a good amount wider than the final versions. With the prototype, I could pull it out just in my hands using two slots. Not so with the new ones, but I haven't tried it weighted yet. I'll give it a try in the next couple days (busy with a wedding prank most of this week) and report back.

**JohnW** · 11-30-2007, 00:35

I've been watching this thread. The redwoods around here take about 8 feet of webbing on average, and up to about 15 feet for the bigger ones. I'm carrying climbing webbing right now but it's really heavy. I am thinking of 12 or 15 foot tree huggers out of 1" polyester webbing... will have to test those out.

There's some really large trees in the Sierra I want to be sure I can use while backpacking.

**warbonnetguy** · 11-30-2007, 00:39

if you wanted to, couldn't you just hang from smaller trees?

**JohnW** · 11-30-2007, 00:45

It depends. I'm able to find smaller trees pretty easily now, but I really don't know how easy it'll be to find smaller trees where I normally backpack. That wasn't something I thought about a lot before I considered hammocking! I just need a bit more experience hanging.

**warbonnetguy** · 11-30-2007, 00:51

i have only been to the sierras once, but seems like i remember lots of "regular" sized trees. would be cool to hang from a giant one though.

i checked out the mariposa sequoia grove near yosimite, it is an amazing site to see trees that big. just a really awesome place.

**JohnW** · 11-30-2007, 16:10

If I'm camping with a ground dweller, I'd like to pick trees near them. At least one site in my mind has trees at least 3 feet in diameter, requiring over 10 feet of web.

The really big trees, I can't imagine having enough webbing for them. At 6 feet diameter you're looking at over 20 feet of webbing to go around once! Any bigger than that and it just isn't happening...