How did you get your Significant Other hanging?

**Lamboy** · 01-08-2014, 21:12

I got a question for you guys and gals that have partners that hang with you. How did you get them involved and into hanging?

I will be introducing my girl into camping and ultimately hammocking in the not too distant future. I would love to be able to share what I enjoy with her. I am trying to gather the best ideas to make my mission a success.

**Redoleary** · 01-08-2014, 21:21

My wife was already a camper so all I did was say lay in this hammock for 2 seconds and she was sold.
The best thing you can do is know what you're doing. If she's counting on you to be the camping expert, be the expert. Have good food, know how to cook it have a campfire etc. Most of all have fun. It's not a contest, so packing in huge miles isn't important, just pick someplace easy and pretty and it will sell itself.

**visionarylion** · 01-08-2014, 21:23

I took her on a trip and told her she had to sleep in the tent with the kids while I used my hammock. By the end of the weekend this was the set up, I only had one tarp with me (I didn't think I would need another). It rained almost all weekend so I had to improvise with a poncho. She has NEVER slept in a tent again, a trooper through and through, loves it, she now has a Hennessy Deluxe given to us by another forum member, he is still the coolest hanger I know to date.

**visionarylion** · 01-08-2014, 21:25

I must say she was already a camper. Former Girl scout and Equestrian

**Boothill** · 01-08-2014, 21:31

my advice would be to go slow

maybe start out with a hammock hanging somewhere around your house that she can lay in for a little bit at a time to nap and then move to a backyard hang where she can bail easily inside if needed, the most important thing IMO is that she is comfortable, able to sleep and stays plenty warm

if you try and start out with a trip into the woods and things go bad for her you will probably never get her in a hammock again

boot

**olddog** · 01-08-2014, 22:49

Haven't and at 60, was I suppose to revel that?, probably never will. Even though we spent numerous years tent camping with friends and family I believe those days are over. She is willing to chauffer me to hikes & hangs, maybe more than willing, which brings to mind the question. Why is she so ready to get me out of the house? Just going to stick with the status quo and not rock the boat. Another one of those things you learn after 40 years of marriage.

Need to add HYOH.

**Deadphans** · 01-09-2014, 09:54

I too am trying to get my girlfriend to go camping with me. She said she would like to, so that is good. This coming season I think I am going to get her some appropriate clothes. I think I am going to start by car camping, this way we have all the amenities she needs to feel super comfortable...then gradually take her beyond the "base camp" and head on the trail for a few easy miles and build up from there.

Unfortunately, the first few times with her I might have to go to ground, but if that means in the future we can hang together, I am all for it.

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread for some further advice as well

**Law Dawg (ret)** · 01-09-2014, 11:05

As to getting her to love the great outdoors...well my bride came to me that way. Fishing, hunting, backpacking, and motorcycle camping she happily has done it all. We car camp now that time has taken its toll. Hammocks; Judy started with a WBBB 1.1 dbl and I had zero success getting her to work it all out in the backyard lab. Went into the high country and the beginnings were rough...she did not like the closeness (claustrophobia) and ended up in the car (twice). We finally got her a WBRR with a full length 0 degree Lynx and that seems to be the trick. Be ready to adjust her kit until it works for her. For us that meant having the car set up just in case and eventually buying a whole different hammock set up.

First find out if she has any real interest. She may feel more secure in a tent at first so I'd suggest a tarp with doors (privacy). I set Judy up so the tarp can be folded back (like a taco) at night because she loves to be able to see the stars. Comfort with security is key and that means warm with a safe camp. Stuff like; we recently found two battery operated LED motion sensor lights at Costco for this year and tested them at home. They work well and will provide her an extra sense of security.

Be ready to work your tail off to make her trip the most enjoyable. That means you have to do your homework and all set ups etc belong to you until she is ready to get involved. In our early days (early 70s) that meant I was the mule with the up to 70 lb pack to make sure she was cozy on the trail and at camp. Make sure she knows you want her along because you crave her company and want to share adventures with her but be ready to deal with it is she does not want to join you outside.

**OldRagFreeze** · 01-09-2014, 11:10

First I let her lay in my hammock at home. She was comfy, so we planned a quick overnight. Redoleary nailed it; be the expert. Any insecurity from you will multiply with her. I made a big fire, great food and told her bears were extinct.

She slept in my hammock and I slept on the ground with the dog. She said she was warm and comfortable all night... I was pretty miserable but I didn't tell her that. Haven't made it back out yet (that was almost a year ago) but she's willing when the time comes.