Ridge Line / Foot Line Combo

**Lepmeister** · 02-20-2011, 07:19

Hi Guys,

Over the weekend I was stuffing about with some lines on my set-up and came about the following which seems to work OK.

I run a gathered end hammock and have not used a ridge line in the past but was keen to see if I could get a more consistent and easy to set-up hang. I have had a foot line permanently attached to the hammock for a little while now and thought that a combo line could work.

I removed the fixed length foot line and started playing.

I cut a larger length of 550 and a small 'line lok" (from the HF store, BTW, love the greeting cards that are now available) and off I went.

Maybe what I came up with is not a true ridge line? But it sure did help in set-up and being able to get a consistent diagonal lie. Anyhow, I set the hammock up and got it just sweet. Added the line and adjusted the ridge line to be the 'correct' taughtness (is that even a word?) by use of the line lok. I marked on the line where that setting was. I then adjusted the line lok so the line was longer and could be used as a foot line.

It seems to work great for me! I end up attaching it to the decender rings, which then saw me readjust the markings on the lines to compensate for the additional length.

**amilykovic** · 02-20-2011, 09:27

dual purpose, very good.

**MAD777** · 02-20-2011, 14:10

Fantastic idea! You get extra points for such a simple solution

**Bear's Pinnata** · 02-21-2011, 21:42

Right on time. I was thinking of something way more difficult for the same purpose. Thanks.

**SlowBro** · 02-21-2011, 21:56

Very nice. I would think that the 550 cord would be too stretchy for the ridgeline, being nylon. It may slowly stretch out overnight and change the lay. Just a few centimeters of change can make a big difference as I understand it. Anyway would be interested to know if stretch is a problem. Still, cool duel use item and you can always switch out the cord if stretch is a problem.
-Mark

**Lepmeister** · 02-22-2011, 20:39

Thanks Guys - I'm a simple guy!!

SlowBro - I'll be trying out out in a backyard hang tonight so I'll let you know...

**muttly** · 02-23-2011, 16:13

Not to mention, the ridge line will be out of your way (dangling in you face, etc.) as it is being used as a foot line.

Nice.

**Knotty** · 02-23-2011, 17:01

My only concern would be if the line lok can take the load. People have snapped ridgelines so there must be times when the load is a couple hundred pounds or more.

Also, only because you asked..."taut" applies in the world of rope as opposed to "taught" which is something our school teachers did.

**matto** · 02-23-2011, 17:17

Nice work

I made a similar adjustable ridgeline for the DIY hammock I made for my gf. I attached a short piece of amsteel to one end and a longer piece to the other end. Then I buried the long section through the short (a la whoopie sling). The idea was to put a stopper of some sort that would hit the bury at the proper RL length and another stopper near the end for the right foot line length.

As it turned out, I didn't have quite enough length for the foot line, but I plan to fix it once my order from Opie comes in.

**Rikall** · 02-24-2011, 02:44

Nice 1 Lepmeister. Great idea. Like matto said, if you are worried about the strength of the line-loc or stretch in the paracord you could always create an extra long whoopie sling or UCR in dynaglide, zing-it or lash-it. I will definately be giving this a go on the weekend.