I hate Tree Huggers

Set up two hammocks last nite during an overniter. Was tired and had some issues with finding suitable trees. I realize there are other alternatives to tree huggers, but have not decided on that. I believe something in the future will be just right. I used one tree hugger on one hammock and just went without the huggers on the rest. You cant adjust with this method but it sure makes life easier if you tie it off at the right spot. Dont have to worry about tree thickness as much either. There was no more damage to the trees than with the huggers but I realize this might not be always true. Just a thought........

i`m not sure i`m following you fanatic. were you using a HH, & just used the stock rope that comes on the HH to tie off?

Straps are the best.

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Originally Posted by slowhike

i`m not sure i`m following you fanatic. were you using a HH, & just used the stock rope that comes on the HH to tie off?

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Yes, Hyperlight and UL Backpacker

I have to second the "I hate tree huggers" motion.
They get gross pretty fast in this part of canada. Gummy and nasty.
Other than extending the max pitch distance on the HH... dont have much
use. Just dead weight. I never use em. In fact not sure I even own them
anymore. Might have one kicking around somewhere.
Stock spectra around the tree. No biners, no fancy webbing, no added weight.

I did however purchase just today some SUL climbing biners to explore a pitch
similar to Blackbishops. So Im not dead set in my ways. Ive just found little
use for the treehuggers or other fancy gizmos up to now.

I agree. I went to straps and love them. Plus I have 2 less things to keep track of.

I think the only way I can be happy w/my huggers is by using two biners with them. So far so good, but I have to agree, I didn't really care for the stock HH tree huggers/spectra set-up.

I too have made a homemade hammock out of wallyworld cheap fabric, but at this point I'm just experimenting. I found some 1 inch strap in a bargain bin at a fabric warehouse for $.10 a yard. Yes, $.10 a yard. I hung my hammock by overlapping the strap each time around the tree, and it has held me very snugly with no slippage. Very easy to tie off, also. And it stores very nicely. No ropes, just the strap at 12 feet each end. And it only weighs 3 ounces. Also, I made an SPE from cheap fabric and a wallyworld blue pad, and with a 20 degree bag I slept outside the other night @ 32 degrees and was very comfortable all night. My whole setup, with the hammock, straps, ridgeline, and storage bag weigh just 17 ounces. Now I'm going to do the whole thing over in a lighter fabric and should be able to shave a little more weight and gain strength. Then again, this one is very comfortable.

welcome gypsy... just beware of the webbing from wal-mart. check out message # 12 in the homemade gear thread, "wal-mart lottery".
about using the stock spectra rope that comes on the HH, or other rope... there`s been quite a bit of discussion about that on the hammockcamping yahoo group.
most hammockers agree that ropes will be far more likely to leave marks on the tree`s bark.
not only do we want to reduce the chance of damaging the trees we like to hang on, but there`s the whole issue of hammock use being accepted in state park, etc.
might be a good discussion here. ...tim

I weigh around 160lbs and wonder how much more potential damage, if any, someone weighing say over 200lbs would do to tree bark.

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Originally Posted by FanaticFringer

I weigh around 160lbs and wonder how much more potential damage, if any, someone weighing say over 200lbs would do to tree bark.

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with no doubt, the more weight, the more potential for more damage.
also the less sag (that is, more tight, horizontal hang) the more force on the straps & the tree.
at first, some folks may not see this as a real concern, but the fact is that a rope is more likely going to cause damage to tree bark. some of the thin barked trees are more easily damaged than others.
even if it doesnt end up taking away from the tree's life span, it doesnt help the reputation of hammockers.

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Originally Posted by FanaticFringer

I weigh around 160lbs and wonder how much more potential damage, if any, someone weighing say over 200lbs would do to tree bark.

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I weigh 210 and I've been hanging around my trees for the past month and you would never know it. But like I said, I'm using 1 in. strap only.

As mentioned above. Totally depends on the type of tree and bark, and
weight of person and their rig. I am 180 lbs, and can hang off of some hardwoods
for days one end without so much as a mark, while just one night tied to say a blue
spruce will have my spectra cutting in like knives by morning. Totally depends on
time of year as well. Some trees run heavy with sap at different months of the year.

I will be first to admit/agree that if I was hanging in an area subject to heavy
hiker traffic, or an area where impact would be immediately noticed, I would
have to change my rig and go to webbing or treehuggers again. If I get the
opportunity head south this winter and do some hiking in michigan I will definately
be respectful and change out several aspects of my gear/habits.

I have noticed some bark damage using 1" straps. It was a soft bark tree though. Now I try to hang on harder dark trees when I can.

Cmon guys- be friendly to the trees. They are giving us a place to hang our hammocks (and sleep comfortably) so respect them.

Gummy straps a problem? Don't ropes have the same deal?

Either: Webbing straps for all in one convenience, or weight savings of huggers+ropes.

This makes sense, guys. Please be sensible.

TH

just put an eye screw in the tree and leave it there for the next time you visit. The tree wil grow around it :p

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Originally Posted by Ewker

just put an eye screw in the tree and leave it there for the next time you visit. The tree wil grow around it :p

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I just might try that. That is if it is alright with everyone.:eek:

or you could get two of your strongest/tallest buddies and put eye screws in them...

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Originally Posted by titanium_hiker

or you could get two of your strongest/tallest buddies and put eye screws in them...

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trees are better since they won't get blood all over the hammock

straps would be friendlier, to your friends, eh?

Look I know some of you guys are just ribbing, but seriously, we need to be friendly to trees, and encourage others to be friendly to trees. :)

TH

I have to agree with our friend for the way south. The last thing I want to see is people harming the trees on a large or small scale. I think that if it became a problem parks would start limiting or banning hammocks altogether. It could turn into another case of a few people ruining it for everyone.

some state parks already prohibit people from using hammocks. some don't.
it seems to have to do mostly w/ the understanding of hammocks by the rangers in charge.
some rangers have been known to let people use hammocks after a hammocker took the time to explain/show the use of straps (weather it be tree huggers or just webbing supports).
a lot of people, including rangers & others that are trying to protect our natural resources, are just not familiar with hammocking. in some cases the only information that has been passed along to them is about trees with the bark cut through by hammock rope.
if we take on a way of thinking that shows disregard for the trees we like to hike among & hang our hammocks from & teach that attitude to others...well, that`s kinda like cutting down our own shade tree. ...tim

hear hear.

TH