Keeping Hammock Dry When Trying to Hang it During a Rainstorm

**SilvrSurfr** · 09-07-2011, 23:00

Stupid question no. 555 from NJ Newbie. So it's raining cats and dogs in NJ and I decided to see how hard it is to hang hammock and tarp during a hard rain. Hanging the tarp? Easy. I have snakeskins so I just laid it out on the ground, tied off one end then the other and the tarp was up in no time.

Hanging the hammock? Well, that part baffles me. How do you keep the hammock off the wet ground? I thunk and thunk and couldn't figure it out. Finally, I just attached one whoopie to tree strap while hammock temporarily laid on ground, then went to other end and got hammock off of ground. After a few adjustments to the whoopies I had the hammock properly positioned under the tarp, and it didn't get too wet. However, I'll bet that someone has figured out a technique to achieve no-wet. What am I missing?

**Pretbek** · 09-07-2011, 23:05

Stupid answer number 1 from a PA newbie: would it work to stand under the tarp and throw the hammock folded over your shoulder to keep it off the ground, while you tie the first end to a tree?
Or perhaps use a Bishop bag in which the hammock can stay dry while tying the first end?

**JasonJones** · 09-07-2011, 23:05

I don't put my hammock on the ground even when its dry. I pull one side out of the stuff sack and hang it. If I pull too much out of the bag I just throw it over my shoulder. Then go to the other side and hang it. Do the opposite when taking it down to keep it off the ground.

**Shug** · 09-07-2011, 23:22

Pitch tarp......hang hammock tree straps or just hook straps and I pull my hammock from the BlackBishop Bag and hook up the other end. Tighten, tweak and all is good.
Shug

**Cannibal** · 09-07-2011, 23:23

Originally Posted by Pretbek

Or perhaps use a Bishop bag in which the hammock can stay dry while tying the first end?

That's my method.

Hammock never touches the ground when it's wet or snowy.

**SilvrSurfr** · 09-08-2011, 00:31

Thanks Shug and Cannibal. I believe the Bishop Bag will solve my problems. Geez, I should have known that. I watched Shug's videos and could not possibly fathom why I would ever want a Bishop bag. It didn't make any sense until now. I guess I'm an experiential learner, or some similar dysfunction.

**EnglishBob** · 09-08-2011, 02:33

I have my hammock in a snake skin too.

**deerfu** · 09-08-2011, 04:31

Originally Posted by fubba28

Thanks Shug and Cannibal. I believe the Bishop Bag will solve my problems. Geez, I should have known that. I watched Shug's videos and could not possibly fathom why I would ever want a Bishop bag. It didn't make any sense until now. I guess I'm an experiential learner, or some similar dysfunction.

Me too!

**deerfu** · 09-08-2011, 04:32

Originally Posted by EnglishBob

I have my hammock in a snake skin too.

I like these and the bishop bag equally well

**Hawk-eye** · 09-08-2011, 04:41

I have my hammock in a double end stuff sack ... attach one end and deploy as I walk to the other tree to attach the other end. Deploys pretty much the same as from a bishop bag ... only I can control whether it comes out the back end or the front end of the bag. But either system your hammock never ever touches the ground.

Oh and very smart move on your part to try setting up in adverse conditions ... practicing in the safety and comfort of your own back yard is good common sense ... now you will feel more confident in the piney woods!