tree huggers and deneema cord

[billrobo]

Hi All
Would it be possible to use, or has anyone tried to use 7/64 amsteel cord as a tree hugger, instead of the tradional webbing straps?
Kind Regards
Bill

[NordicNorm]

Should be plenty strong to support your weight, but probably damaging to the tree.

[doogie]

Yes it's possible, but you will damage the thin and fragile cambium layer of the tree with the forces and duration of hanging a hammock and supporting an adult overnight on such a small area. You might be able to rig something that spaces the cord away from the tree like sticks spaced every 4 inches (10 cm) or so, but the risk of damaging the tree and the fiddle factor are not worth it in my opinion.

[billrobo]

Arr Right, thanks guys, so the purpose of the webbing is purly to protect the tree from damage, it makes sense to me, and although i have not tried Amsteel as a tree hugger, I thought of the wieght of the amsteel would be better than the webbing, not taking into account wether it would damage the tree, so thanks for the replies guys
Kind Regards
Bill

[doogie]

No problem, I heard somewhere on the forum that some state(s) here in the US were requiring 2" wide webbing to protect the trees, but the general consensus is that 1" wide is good enough.

[pinballwizard]

You got me thinking about this and I have an idea that may work, but still would be curious if there is still a chance of damage to the tree:

What if you took about 2-3 feet of tubular webbing and put your fixed eye portion of the whoopie around the tree, and hooked the whoopie to itself like a strap, either by whoopie hook or carabiner. The tubular webbing is around the whoopie, and it sits directly on the area that is in contact with the tree, as a buffer. Then your adjustable end is freely dangling down, and can be connected to your hammock by hook, or whoopie, or soft shackle, or whatever.

Would that be a solution that would interest you? While still carrying some webbing, you would not require much except for the area that contacts the tree. I would go out and mark the points of contact the whoopie has with one of your widest trees you would hang from, add a little extra for safe measure, and that is how much tubular webbing you would need. Don't forget, tubular webbing is double layered, so double weight, so some may think this solution doesn't solve much. One thing I like about it is adjustability. I have found at times, scenarios where I have too much whoopie and webbing and I have to really work to tighten the whole thing up so my hammock isn't on the ground. By having just the whoopie as the tieout, it takes some of the fiddle factor out maybe.
Don't know if others had this idea already, or if this idea has been debunked before. I just thought this may be a solution for what you want. Hope it helps

[dnelsongb]

I'm thinking of using 4 of the Omega Pacific Rap Rings, 2 of DMM Phantom Carabiners, and the Amsteel 7/64 amsteel cord. Does anyone know if the 7/64 amsteel cord may slip at all within the Omega Pacific Rap Rings. Please advise. Thank you in advance.

[doogie]

I'm thinking of using 4 of the Omega Pacific Rap Rings, 2 of DMM Phantom Carabiners, and the Amsteel 7/64 amsteel cord. Does anyone know if the 7/64 amsteel cord may slip at all within the Omega Pacific Rap Rings. Please advise. Thank you in advance.

I would not use this method due to what Grizz (aka ProfessorHammock) posted back in 2009. Check out around the 5:00 minute mark where he demonstrates the duel ring method and added that he would no longer use this method for small diameter cord due to pinch damage to the cord.

[WV]

You got me thinking about this and I have an idea that may work, but still would be curious if there is still a chance of damage to the tree:

What if you took about 2-3 feet of tubular webbing and put your fixed eye portion of the whoopie around the tree, and hooked the whoopie to itself like a strap, either by whoopie hook or carabiner. The tubular webbing is around the whoopie, and it sits directly on the area that is in contact with the tree, as a buffer. Then your adjustable end is freely dangling down, and can be connected to your hammock by hook, or whoopie, or soft shackle, or whatever.

Would that be a solution that would interest you? While still carrying some webbing, you would not require much except for the area that contacts the tree. I would go out and mark the points of contact the whoopie has with one of your widest trees you would hang from, add a little extra for safe measure, and that is how much tubular webbing you would need. Don't forget, tubular webbing is double layered, so double weight, so some may think this solution doesn't solve much. One thing I like about it is adjustability. I have found at times, scenarios where I have too much whoopie and webbing and I have to really work to tighten the whole thing up so my hammock isn't on the ground. By having just the whoopie as the tieout, it takes some of the fiddle factor out maybe.
Don't know if others had this idea already, or if this idea has been debunked before. I just thought this may be a solution for what you want. Hope it helps

I think you're right that it would help you get the end of the hammock closer to the tree and still have some room for adjusting, but probably mistaken in thinking that putting the amsteel inside the webbing tube will do enough to protect the tree. Also, your hunch that it wouldn't save much, if any, weight is probably correct. Keep thinking.

[Maytag]

I use 3mm amsteel for this but I run it throughit a plastic tube so not to damage the tree. I have had to many straps to break on me but have had no problems with the amsteel blue rope