Gonna use a hammock on a whim.

**stringbean** · 04-06-2011, 13:40

I havnt been on here in forever!

Well im doing a AT hike next weekend and I was gonna go as a ground sleeper. But all the sudden I wanna take my hammock. So I ordered a new tarp that I dont know how to rig yet, getting parts and pieces together to make what I hope will be my suspension. I guess my question to yall is this: Are there any little tricks I should know about? Dosnt water run down the suspension when it rains?

**Jazilla** · 04-06-2011, 13:48

Water will find the path of least resistance. If you go with whoopie slings as suspension I would tie a slip knot with you extra line. If going with straps and buckles the water should stop there. there are various ways to solve the water problem pretty easily. It would help to know what suspension your going with.

**ganon414** · 04-06-2011, 13:49

Hi stringbean! Depending on what suspension setup you conglomerate, you may not have issues with rain running down your rig. Essentially, what you want is a drip string tied onto your suspension, somewhere in between your hammock and the tree. Whoopie slings already have one "built in", as the adjustable tail dangles down from the bury and draws water down it via gravity. Similarly, if using webbing and buckles, the extra length of webbing dangling down from your buckles achieves the same result. Hope this helps!

**stringbean** · 04-06-2011, 14:10

thanks, I figured as long as there is dangaling rope i shoul be ok. and suspension wise im prolly gonna go with amsteel loops descender rings and either straps out of a ratcheting tie-down or some 550 paracord

**ChrisH** · 04-06-2011, 14:17

You're gonna use 550 cord for your hammock suspension? I wouldn't do that, go with the ratchet straps and you should be ok. Although, some are rated higher/lower than others. Don't forget to test your system at home before you go! Have fun!

**stringbean** · 04-06-2011, 14:22

Originally Posted by ChrisH

You're gonna use 550 cord for your hammock suspension? I wouldn't do that, go with the ratchet straps and you should be ok. Although, some are rated higher/lower than others. Don't forget to test your system at home before you go! Have fun!

I kinda seconded guess the 550 cord but why wouldnt it work? there is no way i weight enough to stress it out that much

**tbctx** · 04-06-2011, 17:08

A: its nylon (and hence stretches, think wake up lower than original), B: the way its core is made and sheathed makes water run down the core to your hammock ignoring drip lines/rings and such aka sleeping wet.

**Cannibal** · 04-06-2011, 17:12

Originally Posted by stringbean

I kinda seconded guess the 550 cord but why wouldnt it work? there is no way i weight enough to stress it out that much

Dynamic weight and static weight are quite different. Just Jeff has broken 550 when used as a structural ridgeline, which I don't think takes as much stress as the suspension lines do. Regardless, having your suspension fail is painful...I know from experience. Depending on where you're hanging, it could be more than just painful. Definitely not worth the risk IMO.

**stringbean** · 04-08-2011, 17:58

well thanks fo warning me lol. I just went to rei and got some one inch webbing. its prettty smooth. i got 10 feet for both sides. I got home and got my needle and thred and put loops on a end of each strap. I am now waiting on some desender rings and continuous amsteel loops from Whoopieslings.com