Hammock Setup Method

[Lonely Raven]

I actually used a tape measure to scout out my first few trees. My paces gave me some long spreads between trees.

Once I got the approximate distance in my head, the rest was setup and tweaking. Once you do it a dozen times, you can do it in the dark and get pretty close every time.

I've actually gone out and setup my hammock on my deck in the dark and rain, just so I have a basic idea of what I have to fight if I were to do the same on the trail. When I eventually *did* have to setup in the dark *and* rain, I didn't even blink (while everyone else was still struggling with their setups in the dark I was already heating up some food).

As with anything, practice, practice, practice.

[Law Dawg (ret)]

I used a tape measure to determine how many of my steps equal 16' (7 BTW YMMV) and then put it back into the junk drawer where it lives. Then the hard part comes...figuring out how to adjust the foot end higher and keep the 30+- degree angle just so. At first it takes a couple or more get in get out adjusts and then it becomes like riding the bicycle (hard at first and then morphing into automatic).

[Jsaults]

I suppose that most all of us who have been hanging for some time just eyeball things. Sometimes we get it wrong - a minor adjustment is all that is needed.

One more thing: The rule of thumb here is to try for a 30 deg angle between the ground and the suspension. No need for a protractor or inclinometer! Just eyeball the 30 degrees by dividing the 90 degree angle between the ground and trees by three.

Oh yeas - have fun!

Jim

[fire_water]

The tape measure is back in the tool box! Your recommendations, and some experimentation, helped me to better understand my hammock. Thank you

[cesnyderces]

That's what I like about the ridgeline, makes it easy to set up, and get a great hang everytime.

[MrClean417]

Things change too, which is nice that you have variables you can work with. My last hang was between a tree that I couldn't reach around and used most of the webbing on one side of my hammock. My attach point on the other side was about 8 feet up and was most of the reach of that strap away. I thought about getting some extra webbing when I made my once a camping trip trip to Walmart, but had laid in the hammock before and figured just leave it alone. That would be where I laid in the hammock to see if it was ok and a flying buddy woke me up confirming it was.

Ideally the ridgeline should be able to be bent, but it's also there to ensure that you have the proper sag in the hammock under less then ideal conditions.

So just find some trees about 5-7 paces apart, hang the straps about head high (higher if farther apart) and check to see if it's about centered then sit in it and see if it's about the right height. More then likely after a few attempts you'll throw the thing up there without even thinking about it and spend more time looking for Widow-makers which are more important to your hanging pleasure.

As for the feet high thing, I've kinda got a self leveling body. I'm not sliding into footbox ever. The trees might be sliding into me though.

[huauqui]

As for the feet high thing, I've kinda got a self leveling body. I'm not sliding into footbox ever. The trees might be sliding into me though.

Man that was to funny, thanks MrClean I needed that tonight.

huauqui

[msfirehiker]

So if I get this right to get more sag use more s.w.a.g.

In all honesty so your saying to measure out how many
paces you have to take between anchor points to get
your ideal setup found, and after you do that it's gravy
after awhile?

[fire_water]

@MrClean: LOL, hilarious!

@msfirehiker: these two illustrations helped me, hopefully they help you too:

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=20780

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=11700

[dejoha]

Thanks for the plug, fire_water!

Both of these illustrations are excellent, of course I've detailed them a bit more in my new book (it's times like this when I wish it were November already!).