Complete beginner

[lovejoy]

Hey all,
I am a complete beginner to hammocking, In fact my only experience is watching clips on youtube
I have done a fair amount of camping with a bivvy bag and tarp but have a few questions.

I am interested in using this method:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iJTjful66M

But want to know what knots to use to connect the ropes to the hammock,
my idea is to replace the tape with 9mm rope and use a couple of rolling hitches to form a loop.
Also i have a british 58 pattern down sleeping bag that I can use as an underquilt and i was thinking of getting a cheap web hammock that i can put it on and sling it under the main hammock using shock cord connected to the
loops on the hammock but that sounds rather a complicated way of doing things, what do you think?

The hammock is a dd camping hammock and I am 5'11" and 196 lbs if that makes any difference

[Bannerstone]

Welcome Lovejoy,

Sounds like you're a DIY sort and will enjoy the trial and error in addition to the good advise offered here on the forum.

I prefer the slipped buntline hitch to connect my hammock line to my tree saver straps though there are several other popular methods.

I've tried sandwiching a sleeping bag between two hammocks as an underquilt and found it to be an exercise in acrobatics. The main problem was that the sleeping bag is just so much larger in dimmension than needed, it was far more difficult to keep it in position than a pad.

Once you see an UQ up close and use it you'll come to appreciate all the subtle design in the suspension and shape of the quilt and how important it is to proper function.


Good Luck

David

[tncamper]

I'm partial to toggles and whoopies. If you haven't found Shug yet, here's a link. The marlin spike is easy and quick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7NZVqpBUV0

Welcome to the forums

[Cypher]

I am a total noob as well but that way of hanging looks like a variation on a garda hitch. I think that style of connection is moving out of favor as the compression of the rings on the rope causes damage. I got that from these videos

[dant8ro]

The easy of adjustability is present with webbing as well. Note that those rigs are massive, and I think that will kill any weight savings from using line. Have a look at these:

http://arrowheadequipment.webs.com/a...s/show/1324005

Same sort of deal. pull to tighten. Don't forget to pick up some webbing as well, if you decide to go that way.

[Bubba]

I think the set up in the video is heavier and bulkier than it needs to be. Even if you are not weight conscious, no need to have that much extra metal and rope IMO. I agree with Dan. Cinch buckles and webbing are fast, secure and require no knots. I think they would be great to start off with.