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  1. #1
    Member Sparrow's Avatar
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    How high do you hang?

    This weekend I finally was able to bid adieu to my old trusty tent in favor of my new ENO DN and tarp setup.

    I really wanted to convince my skeptical girlfriend and hiking partner that the loss of a full enclosure was more than balanced out by greater space so I pitched the tarp high enough that we could stand under it fully erect. Since Irene was surely bringing rain I ended up suspending the hammock pretty close to the tarp to protect us from any possible sideways precipitation but this left the hammock pretty high off the ground. Next time I think I will try a wider and lower approach for both tarp and hammock but I wanted to see how the more experienced folks here do it.

    So, fully understanding that this is rather dependent on the situation:
    How high do you typically suspend your hammock from the ground?
    How high do you typically suspend your tarp from both ground and at what distance from your hammock?


    We stayed dry even in the heavy rain and the girlfriend is now fully supportive of the hammock and tarp system.

    I also learned I need to make some snakeskins for the tarp. Breaking down, folding and trying to get the wet shelter to fit in its stuff sack was a pain in the rain.
    Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana.

  2. #2
    Senior Member Aardvark's Avatar
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    Only hang the hammock as far up as you would feel safe in falling....a lot of folk have said it's not "if" you will have an abrupt connection to the forces of gravity, but "when". Also, unless your arms are 8 feet long, it's hard to make your breakfast coffee and grits when hanging in the hammock!
    .... the Aardvark (earth pig)... a rather unremarkable creature whose sole claim to fame is that it is the first animal listed in the dictionary.
    Rob

  3. #3
    Senior Member olzeke's Avatar
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    I use another method to determine how high I hang. I want the hammock to be a comfortable chair height when I sit in it. This makes it easier to get into and out of.

    As for the tarp, I only put it up when rain is a possibility, as I no longer hike in the snow. I try to set up with the back porch facing the wind, and it sets up lower to the ground. My front porch is higher, and thus out of my way as I enter and exit. Using a large tarp, in my case, a 10 x 12 OES Mac Cut, aids in such a set up.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Country Roads's Avatar
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    I usually set my hammock up about chair high (18 to20 inches for me). I have set it up lower and pitched the tarp sides clear to the ground to keep out wind driven swirling rain; this worked well, I stayed dry and still had some room, but no standing upright.
    I good weather, I set the tarp up pretty high, so I can enjoy the views without tree gunk falling on me. Iffy weather I set it up about 3 inches or so off the hammock ridge line and put it in porch mode, but ready to lower the sides if I need to.
    In hurricane Irene weather, I set the tarp up only about 1 or less off the ridgeline and pitch it in close to the hammock and I close the doors on the most windward side (worked well this weekend too).

  5. #5
    New Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by Country Roads View Post
    I usually set my hammock up about chair high (18 to20 inches for me). I have set it up lower and pitched the tarp sides clear to the ground to keep out wind driven swirling rain; this worked well, I stayed dry and still had some room, but no standing upright.
    I good weather, I set the tarp up pretty high, so I can enjoy the views without tree gunk falling on me. Iffy weather I set it up about 3 inches or so off the hammock ridge line and put it in porch mode, but ready to lower the sides if I need to.
    In hurricane Irene weather, I set the tarp up only about 1 or less off the ridgeline and pitch it in close to the hammock and I close the doors on the most windward side (worked well this weekend too).
    I like to set my tarp high in summer, in porch mode. If it's gonna rain I drop my Superfly down to almost touching the ground, with doors closed.
    I hang my Hammock about 18" high. Easy to get in and out of.

  6. #6
    Senior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by olzeke View Post
    I use another method to determine how high I hang. I want the hammock to be a comfortable chair height when I sit in it. This makes it easier to get into and out of.

    As for the tarp, I only put it up when rain is a possibility, as I no longer hike in the snow. I try to set up with the back porch facing the wind, and it sets up lower to the ground. My front porch is higher, and thus out of my way as I enter and exit. Using a large tarp, in my case, a 10 x 12 OES Mac Cut, aids in such a set up.
    +1 on the height of the hammock as long as you are measuring it after sitting in it. ;-) Things tend to settle after you tie off.

    I always expect rain where I go so I always use a tarp. OTOH it does not need to be low and cozy if the weather is agreeable. If you are going to be there for more than a few minutes it is not a big deal to drop the ridge line before bed. That is why many folks use a separate ridge line for the tarp and hammock.

    Pitching a low side and end doors to make a wind break is just good practice when needed. In that case pitch one side high enough to walk under. If you are using snake skins an option is to leave them on until settling in for the night, weather permitting.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Joey's Avatar
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    Another vote for chair height. Nice to reach over and fix a nice, hot, tasty beverage in the morning too. As long as I'm off the ground I'm good to go!

  8. #8
    Senior Member L.D. Cakes's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by nothermark View Post
    +1 on the height of the hammock as long as you are measuring it after sitting in it. ;-) Things tend to settle after you tie off.
    I like chair hight to use it for my seat instead of sitting on the ground.

    Depends on the weather how I set up my tarp. If it's fair I set the tarp about eye level and put it in porch mode on the front side with my hiking poles and most recently added the carbon fiber pole mod to easily swing it up and down.



    If it's inclement weather I bring the tarp down low almost to the hammock ridge line. And stake it down all around.
    Hootenanny Hang June 11-13, 2021
    Love many, trust few & always paddle your own canoe. American Proverb

    Adventure is Calling... nolilearn.org



  9. #9
    Senior Member
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    Short & low

    Being short has one advantage. The hammock hangs relatively low. The absolute distance from butt to ground is less than for most. Just in case of equipment failure. Plus prefer effortless entry and exit over max tarp headroom. If site selection choices are an option & a high potential for rain. I try to hang the hammock where max protection from driving rain is provided. Allows a bit more options for tarp pitch.
    Noel V.

  10. #10
    Senior Member SunshineHiker's Avatar
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    How High

    +1 on being short! So far I've only gotten to mess around with my homemade JoAnn's hammock but I've discovered that not only do I get to cut 1 ft off of the average hammock length, but I also hang mine much lower. When I'm in it, it hangs about 1.5 ft off the ground.

    As far as the tarp, here in the SE I'd rather pitch it low and spread out for better ventilation, but I can see how that might be a bad idea if I were up north and dealing with snow, then a higher tighter pitch would be my choice. I have to say, my favorite thing so far is the fact that I not only can cut off so much from my hammock weight, but being short, I also get to have a really small tarp and still never sacrifice comfort.

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