Newbie question...where to put my shoes/pack?

**MAD777** · 05-12-2009, 22:13

I've just joined Hammock Forums and have been lurking for a couple of weeks. I am very impressed with the knowledge, comradarie, and most importantly, the civility of this forum. I will be asking many questions in the near future as I have arrived at the conclusion that as these bones grow older, I need to start hanging!

My first question is one of technique. Where do I put my backpack, shoes, etc. when I'm hanging? I've always used a tent, a Henry Shires Tarptent for 3 season or Golite Hex3 for winter, and have stored all my belonging (except food) inside the tent with me.

I am hesitant to leave my gear exposed to the elements on the ground under the hammock. I also have visions of marmots carrying off my pack or shoes in the middle of the night. All this probably sounds pretty silly to seasoned hangers but I'm obviously out of my element. Please give advice.

**tight-wad** · 05-12-2009, 23:26

I clip the pack to the tree strap biner and use a pack cover, tie your shoe/boot laces together and hang them over the support line.

In foul weather you could put down a small square of tyvek under you/ under the tarp, put the pack on that, then tie a cord from the pack to somewhere on your suspension to keep the varmits from running off with it. I always carry a 2x4 piece of tyvek to use as a bug barrier for sitting (ticks seem to really, really like me...)

**Cannibal** · 05-13-2009, 01:01

Well, I pretty much do it different at every camp. Just one of those 'mood' things for me. But, to meet your criteria this is the method I use: Put pack cover on pack, then attach a biner to the top of the pack. Clip the biner to the suspension (in my case, between rings and hammock whipping), making sure the covered side of the pack faces out and away from the hammock. Pack is off the ground and sheltered from the elements.

Only bit of caution would depend on how heavy your pack is when at camp. If it is on the heavy side, you'll want to compensate for the 'drop' when setting the hammock. The 'drop' is just how much the pack pulls down on the suspension. It can mess-up a good hang if it causes the hammock to dip too much on one side.

**MAD777** · 05-13-2009, 05:06

Thanks tight-wad & Cannibal. Now that I you point that out, it makes good sense.
My frameless pack is pretty light and once I've set up camp, mostly just a kitchen kit & a spare top garment are left.

**TinaLouise** · 05-13-2009, 06:52

I usually empty out my pack at the camp site (grante gear vapor ki, 2pounds) and will either hang it on the end of my hammock or put it inside the hammock with me to use under my legs/feet. (just like I used it in my tarp/tent)

**drewboy** · 05-13-2009, 07:28

You also might want to check out the JRB gear hammock. It can also double as a pack rain cover.

http://www.jacksrbetter.com/JGHPC.htm

**MAD777** · 05-13-2009, 11:51

Thanks for that reminder, drewboy.
I now remember seeing a reference to the gear hammock.
That's the one that Jeff came up with.
I'll check it out.

**bernc3** · 05-13-2009, 12:01

I usually attach my pack to the tree strap on my foot-end with a biner. Depending on how thick the tree is you can clip the hip belt around the tree to make it a bit more secure as well. Most of my gear from the backpack gets unpacked into the pockets under my Clark NA.

**Perkolady** · 05-13-2009, 12:34

Occasionally, I will bring the pack into the hammock with me, but mostly I clip shoes and pack onto the suspension line, or I will use the JRB gear hammock/rain cover (if it's really nasty out).