Ridgeline Terribles

[Nightwalker]

Okay, I broke* my ridgeline on my HH Asym Exped, but that's no problem, right? I'll just get one of you guys to measure the length of yours and re-do mine. Whew!

Can I tie right through that loop at the end of the original? Is it strong enough to take the load? Is Trip-tease strong enough,or do I need to find some more like the original?

Thanks a lot,
Frank

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*If by broke you mean cut in a fit of stupidity, thinking that I would shorten it just a bit. Really bad idea.

[angrysparrow]

Why not just get either a very small biner or a quick link, tie bowlines in the ends of the cut ridgeline, and connect them together that way? That's actually a popular mod for a HH. That will allow you to drop the ridgeline when you want to for better using the HH as a lounger/chair.

[Nightwalker]

Why not just get either a very small biner or a quick link, tie bowlines in the ends of the cut ridgeline, and connect them together that way? That's actually a popular mod for a HH. That will allow you to drop the ridgeline when you want to for better using the HH as a lounger/chair.

Thanks! I just used some 3mm nylon-coated spectra, but I'll try that one as well.

[johnnyquest]

hey, can i get in on this?
nothing wrong with the ridgeline of my hh but im very curious about the idea of cutting it and replacing it with biners to facilitate the sitdown. can someone who has done so talk to me about it? pictures?

[Snowesty]

I finally cut mine a few weeks back and it was the best thing I ever did. I added a wee bit of cord to one of the cut ends and a figure nine one the other. Simple, light and fast. Now I lounge in comfort....

[johnnyquest]

anybody got pictures?

[aerorider65]

Look at my gallery. There is a pic of the two clips that I used. I just cut the line near the foot end and then tied the two clip in with bowline knots. I could have used 1 clip and a biner, a biner and a loop of the string or a variety of other options. I happened to have theclips already.

[slowhike]

some of the folks that made that mod to the hh ridge line just cut it not far from the foot end so it would be easy to access from outside, being sure to leave enough length in the short piece to easily tie to a mini biner.

tie a loop at the proper length on the long line coming from the head of the hammock.

you'll probably need to add a short length of line to make up for the length lost in tieing the knot & loop.

[Mountain Dog]

I broke mine one time. I contacted Hennessey and Tom told me the length. I then spliced a piece of line to both ends of the break (I of course had to cut some of the original line so I could splice a short section of new rope). I used a Double Sheet (Becket) Bend knot to tie each end of the splice to the ridge line. That will be the last place the ridgeline will ever break again. I found the knot in an old Blue Jacket Manual. I'm not a knot tier so others on this forum must help if you ask me how to make the knot again.

[jlb2012]

Sheet Bend animation: http://www.animatedknots.com/sheetbend/index.php?LogoImage=&Website=
also shows the double sheet bend as a static picture

[terceiro]

+1 on the double sheet bend. It's strong, quick, easy, difficult-to-get-wrong, pretty easy to untie and relatively quick to adjust. I also find it one of the most elegant of knots, which is itself a reason to learn it (and use it at least occasionally).

btw, ridge line lengths are on the comparison chart at hennessy's site: http://www.hennessyhammock.com/comparisonchart.html.

[trailale]

hey, can i get in on this?
nothing wrong with the ridgeline of my hh but im very curious about the idea of cutting it and replacing it with biners to facilitate the sitdown. can someone who has done so talk to me about it? pictures?

I also am considering doing this but am a little confused. It's been said in these forums that using HH hammock without the ridgeline will tear the bug net. Others havn't expressed such concern. Is it just a matter of tossing the netting to the side? After the disconnect are you able to lounge/sleep in the hammock without the net covering?

[angrysparrow]

I also am considering doing this but am a little confused. It's been said in these forums that using HH hammock without the ridgeline will tear the bug net. Others havn't expressed such concern. Is it just a matter of tossing the netting to the side? After the disconnect are you able to lounge/sleep in the hammock without the net covering?

In my HH, I haven't had any issue with the bugnet tearing. That being said, I am careful not to exert too much weight only on the bugnet. I fold it back out of the way for camp lounging with the ridgeline disconnected. When it's time to go to sleep in the hammock, though, I reconnect the ridgeline and get inside.

[BillyBob58]

What size or strength mini biner would you need? Something less than a camp nano-biner?

[angrysparrow]

What size or strength mini biner would you need? Something less than a camp nano-biner?

Certainly something as strong as the CAMP biners isn't needed. Most of the recommendations I've seen here say that ridgeline components rated from 200-300lbs is sufficient. I use a VERY small quicklink/screwlink from a hardware store, and it has been perfectly adequate.

[2Questions]

I've been intrigued with the idea of cutting the ridgeline for some time but haven't convinced myself I would use the HH as a lounger all that much. I typically find myself only using the HH when I'm ready for sleep and the rest of the time somewhere else sitting around the fire, a vista rock, etc. Anyway, I was wondering about the physics involved if the ridgeline is not the proper length after cuttiing it and adding a biner or whatever. Am I correct in assuming that the bugnetting may be unduly stressed if the ridgeline is too long? Too short just increases the "sag" but shouldn't be a problem with bugnetting? Therefore a shorter ridgeline may be preferable? What say ye?

[angrysparrow]

I've been intrigued with the idea of cutting the ridgeline for some time but haven't convinced myself I would use the HH as a lounger all that much. I typically find myself only using the HH when I'm ready for sleep and the rest of the time somewhere else sitting around the fire, a vista rock, etc. Anyway, I was wondering about the physics involved if the ridgeline is not the proper length after cuttiing it and adding a biner or whatever. Am I correct in assuming that the bugnetting may be unduly stressed if the ridgeline is too long? Too short just increases the "sag" but shouldn't be a problem with bugnetting? Therefore a shorter ridgeline may be preferable? What say ye?

The bugnetting of a HH isn't cut so precisely that it should create a problem to have a variation in ridgeline length of a few inches in either direction. JMO

[johnnyquest]

i am sooooooo close to cutting my ridgeline........but just havent been able to bring myself to do it yet.

[aerorider65]

I cut my ridge line and use the hammock as a lounger. I flip the hammock over and lay on the bottom. This keeps me off of the bugnet. I was scared that the netting would but it hasn't. It seems to streach just fine. I have enjoyed my this way quite a bit.

[johnnyquest]

the bugnet doesnt drag the ground?

[Nightwalker]

In my HH, I haven't had any issue with the bugnet tearing. That being said, I am careful not to exert too much weight only on the bugnet. I fold it back out of the way for camp lounging with the ridgeline disconnected. When it's time to go to sleep in the hammock, though, I reconnect the ridgeline and get inside.

One evening not too long ago, my dog thought that she wanted in with me. She quickly decided that she didn't, and tried to exit through the netting. She clawed for a second or two before I reacted and stopped her, but didn't tear anything. There are just a few marks where she "redistributed" the weave, FWIW.

[angrysparrow]

the bugnet doesnt drag the ground?

No, that doesn't seem to be a problem. Usually, when you flip the hammock over (bugnet down) to lounge in it, the fabric is spread out fairly wide. That keeps it from sagging low.

[nartoff]

That wasn't so hard, actually. You just put the scissors in place, squeeze the handles, and - snap! - there it goes.

My first ridgelineless lounge was easily the greatest joy I have felt since first hanging my hammock. It was like seeing the world in color for the first time, uninhibited by a ceiling of mesh or that annoying wall of fabric pressing up against your side. I feel like I have a new hammock.

The only downside is that my original plan of just tying a sheet bend every time I want to get inside is not a realistic option; trying to find the right place to tie the knot each time and then having to untie a tight bend isn't feasible. (Or not? Are there others out there who do tie and untie a sheet bend regularly?)

Although I'll likely have my answer tomorrow when I try out a carabiner or a screwlink, what do people do with the piece of metal when lounging? It's not something I'd like to have to keep track of off the hammock. Do you leave it connected inside the hammock? Doesn't that push it into your back/legs?

[angrysparrow]

Do you leave it connected inside the hammock? Doesn't that push it into your back/legs?

I just leave it connected. The screwlink I use is small enough that I don't even notice it.

[terceiro]

The only downside is that my original plan of just tying a sheet bend every time I want to get inside is not a realistic option; trying to find the right place to tie the knot each time and then having to untie a tight bend isn't feasible. (Or not? Are there others out there who do tie and untie a sheet bend regularly?)I use a double sheet bend on my support tie-out and it works great (connecting cord to webbing). I untie it easily, partly because I do the second loop slip-knot style. There's a term for that, but it's escaping me right now.

Anyway: yes, I use a double sheet bend in a much higher strain, and untie it easily.

[johnnyquest]

so how much weight does the ridgeline actually carry? if i tie three knots in the process of cutting it and putting in a carabiner...how much will i reduce the strength of that ridgeline? huh? huh???

[blackie]

hey guys!!
has anyone thought of using a strap and buckle arrangemnt inside the HH for the ridge line???..as i see it ....it would allow you to set it super tight and adjust the ridgeline for the proper hang and how high the mess is....does anyone think this will work???

[angrysparrow]

so how much weight does the ridgeline actually carry? if i tie three knots in the process of cutting it and putting in a carabiner...how much will i reduce the strength of that ridgeline? huh? huh???

The amount of force on the ridgeline (structural) varies depending on how much force is on the rest of the suspension, but it should be less than 300 pounds.

The amount of strength you lose by tying knots depends both on the type of cord and the type of knot. I would figure 50% to be safe. I don't know if that reduction is cumulative between knots, though, but I would think that unless the knots were concurrent on the line (tied against each other) that it wouldn't be. Someone else might be able to confirm that for you.


hey guys!!
has anyone thought of using a strap and buckle arrangemnt inside the HH for the ridge line???..as i see it ....it would allow you to set it super tight and adjust the ridgeline for the proper hang and how high the mess is....does anyone think this will work???

I do remember reading where someone was using webbing for a HH ridgeline, but I don't remember who.

Using webbing for a ridgeline is overkill for strength IMO, and is heavier than a good small diameter cord. And, I don't see a great benefit to having an adjustable ridgeline in a HH. Once you determine the ideal length for your comfort, you shouldn't have to change that between hangs. JMO

[johnnyquest]

well im this close to cutting my ridgeline but i was concerned about the knots and the strength loss. i wonder if there is a carabiner or snaplink or some combination of two of them that would take up the amount of line lost by two bowlines or two figure eights (bowlines would probably take less line) and i could avoid the second line totally. did any of that make sense?

[johnnyquest]

it was just pointed out to me that this has already been talked about, complete with pics. a pox upon me.....im still working on screwing my courage to the sticking place.

[Nightwalker]

it was just pointed out to me that this has already been talked about, complete with pics. a pox upon me.....im still working on screwing my courage to the sticking place.

I've been very glad for my accident, so far. :)

[stoikurt]

Here's what I did when I cut my ridgeline.
First I pinned 2 safety pins to the ridgeline at an even measure between them, something like 8 inches. Tied a bowline on one end and put on the small quick link mentioned earlier. You'll need some extra cord to add back in the length lost due to the knots. Tie the cord to the other end of the cut ridgeline. I used double fishermans knot (http://www.animatedknots.com/doublefishermans/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com) to attach the 2 cords together. Then tie another bowline or loop in the end so when attached to the quick link it equals the right distance between safety pins.

[johnnyquest]

ok, i set the hammock up, ready to cut the ridgeline and what do i find? the ridgeline comes out of the foot end as two lines, then ties off. what is going on?>

[Jim Bowie]

Look at my gallery. There is a pic of the two clips that I used. I just cut the line near the foot end and then tied the two clip in with bowline knots. I could have used 1 clip and a biner, a biner and a loop of the string or a variety of other options. I happened to have theclips already.

Thanks for this idea!!!

I have been going back and forth over what to use for my newly cut (read: snapped) ridgeline. I didn't care for the local outfitters options, as I thought the 'biners were just too big (and pricey).

I headed down to the hardware store last night and picked up two items. The first is a 3/8" Spring Snap (http://www.smbmfg.com/usrimage/cat825.gif) rated for a 160 lb load limit, the other is a 3/16" Quick Link (http://www.birdalog.com/productimages/tw5154s.jpg) rated for 660" lbs. Total cost? $5.00. I don't know the exact weight, but it's no heavier than a couple of $9 biners from EMS.

I'll give it a whirl once it stops raining up here- I have no problem backpacking in the rain, but when I'm testing at home, I have the luxury of waiting for some sunshine!