setting up for a consistent hang

[Detail Man]

On a recent hang I couldn't get comfortable in my hammock. The peak bag I use to keep an extra layer in kept sliding against my head, which isn't usually the case. I was tired enough I just endured until the morning. The next evening I took some time to figure out what was going on.

When I had set up the hammock initially, the ground sloped enough that I didn't realize I had the foot end of the hammock significantly higher than the head end. It was about the same height off the ground, but looking at the hammock ridgeline showed it was way out of level. This caused me to slide to the low point of the hammock during the previous night, which is normally the center, but due to it being out of level caused my head to be closer to one end than is normal.

Readjust the whoopies. Problem solved. Second night was much more comfy. Just wanted to throw this out there for others to learn from my lesson. This is one of those things that comes with experience. So from now on, I'm going to double check level on my ridgeline before I commit to the setup for the night.

[Country Roads]

I don't remember where I got the tip from, but I carried a line level on my first hang. It worked well, since judging level can be difficult on sloping ground.

[flatline]

i used to keep a racket ball in the shelf of my BB that i would toss into the hammock after i had staked out the sides. when the ball would settle about 6 inches to the left of the WBO label i had my hang angle. it took several tries because the ball would sometimes get between the folds but a couple times from the head and a couple more from the foot and i could get a pretty good idea... now days i just wing it, i don't remember what happened to the ball?

[Knotty]

Use the artificial horizon provided by the water in your Nalgene or Platypus as a level. Hold bottle out in front of you and compare the water level against your structural ridgeline.

[atison]

Even more precise, if you use a bladder and have a clear line, put enough water in the line to have air gaps on both sides. Hold the line like a U and the water in each side of the tube can give you your horizon.

Andy

[Detail Man]

Use the artificial horizon provided by the water in your Nalgene or Platypus as a level. Hold bottle out in front of you and compare the water level against your structural ridgeline.

Great idea Knotty. And multi-use too.

[JaxHiker]

I still think I must be oversimplifying things. I've never even remotely considered needing a spreadsheet or level to hang my hammock. At least you figured it out.

[Topper1963]

I had a friend who's philosopy was he hiked until he was too tired to care about how his tent was set up - perfect sleeping conditions every time that way

If only he had known about hammocks then he might have been able to stop sooner on the trail ...