Traumatized dino

I finally got up the nerve to go out in my back yard and put up the HH Explorer UL Aysm that Hammock Engineer has loaned me. I got in OK, I got comfy on my back, comfy about 1/2 way on my left side, and not-comfy on 1/2 way on my right side (expected that without a pad). Then I tried to get out.

I had tied the hammock between waist and chest high and it was about chair height went I went in - it was maybe 8" off the ground when I tried to get out. I did it by myself but it took about 20 minutes of struggling - neighbors were coming over offering to help while trying to keep a straight face. (my gear antics amuse my neighbors most of the time).

So I re-tied the hammock as high as I could - probable about 6.5 ft and climbed in again (with some difficulty as the opening was at the top of my hips). Again I was comfy on back and left side. When I went to get out, I could barely get the hammock open. It mashed the dino with significant force. I was only able to get out by hanging onto the part where the velcro is and pretty much reenacting my birth experience. I'm wondering if I have a cone head :D

What am I doing wrong?

I just crouch down and waddle out, or I use my hands and push my self up and out.

The Hennessy entry can be a bit tricky at times. I would imagine that a top-entry hammock would be much more suited to you, considering your difficulties.

Trying to pull yourself out while you're still sitting in the hammock is tough...your weight keeps the slit closed tightly.

The first step is to get the height right and figure out how to keep it about the same height all night (the hammock will stop stretching after a while, and you can pull the lashings really tight when you set up).

Then the exit. Put your feet on the ground, then STAND UP with your torso still in the hammock. Then you can probably just pull the hammock over your head w/o bending down much. I just kinda stand up and lean out all in one motion, but I imagine pulling the hammock over your head would be easier for you.

FWIW, you can stand inside the hammock like that and it'll cover your essentials while you change. Well, the bottom ones anyway.

A question for you fellows - what makes a top loading hammock more stable - extra width? Extra length and width?

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Originally Posted by TeeDee

Kind of like getting into a top loader without flipping is a learned technique. :D

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:eek: I've never heard this before, and I just got my top loader today!
Definatley have to set this up for the first time while nobody is watching.:o

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Originally Posted by TeeDee

Kind of like getting into a top loader without flipping is a learned technique.

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I've never had a problem flipping in my homemades. I came out of a couple cheap net hammocks before, but never even came close in my camping hammocks. Hmmm.

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Originally Posted by Frolicking Dino

A question for you fellows - what makes a top loading hammock more stable - extra width? Extra length and width?

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I think width would make the most difference. That way, even if you don't sit close to the middle, you still have plenty material behind you in case you lean back too far. But I don't know for sure because I've never noticed stability problems.

Keep on playing with it cone head, I mean FD. You will find the way that is best for you. But like Jeff said, I found the best way for me to to stick one foot through the birth canel first then the other and just stand up and pull the hammock up and over my head.

The only time I've felt unstable in any non-spreader-bar hammock is when I'm laying on a 3" pad. It was worst in the Crazy Creek...but that has poles that act as a spreader bar so I sit up much higher than the HH and Speer-types.

Dunno...I've just never had a stability problem before.

But I did flip out of my hammock one night on the Foothills Trail. I thought I was holding a layer of underquilt and a layer of hammock. Turns out it was both sides of the hammock...so there was nothing to catch me as I slid back! Landed flat on my back!! And of course this was the only night on the whole trail that I shared a campsite with someone. I don't think she noticed though. I was gonna blame it on the faeries from the rhodo tunnels if she said anything.

Hi FD...yes it is hard at times.:o
How I do it is... I reach up and take my hand and open the velcro first... then wiggle out one foot and inch my way up to the opening till I have both legs out. Then I simply stand up inside still and then bend over and out.

Don't try to clear the hammock while trying to get out at the same time...just get your feet on the ground and deal with the netting still all around you. I make sure those clips are out of my way first...or my hair is forever gettting tangled in them.

I do get pinched in the hip and thigh area at times and get small bruises even. I do find it still easier to get out of the Hennessey when I am having a bad week verses climbing in a side or end entry of my tents.

It is a learning adjustment really. Sometimes my hammock is hung so perfectly I can get out very easy...sometimes I hang way too low and that is the worse!!!!

I hope it works out for you...just keep trying...your find what is easiest for you. Not sure that helped at all...:D

I took the hammock back out today and tried again. I cannot voluntarily move my biggest quad (vastus lateralis) while getting out - it seems to have something to do with the pressure on the side of my leg. I can't move it in a crouched position at all - though it is 'learning' to move with the other muscles in the area during my workouts now. I may be able to train it to move when getting out over time.

It lean over and step out move is impossible for me.

I did pull the ridgeline pretty tight. I have no control over the muscles in my upper right leg when it is bent so I was having a real problem rocking forward to stand up with the hammock slit holding me back. When the hammock was very near the ground, I was able to get the left leg and arm out and take the weight off the hammock to get the right leg out. In the higher position, I ended up having to turn around and come out head first. There was no way I could get my legs out normally or stand up as some suggested.

i believe you said you would be at trail days. if so, there will be quite a few people there that understand the variables & will be glad to help you figure out the best solution.

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Originally Posted by Frolicking Dino

A question for you fellows - what makes a top loading hammock more stable - extra width? Extra length and width?

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My opinion, fwiw, it seems more stable because I sink down deeper, bathtub style, in my Speer(top loader). Though the degree this happens can vary with the amount of sag you hang it with. The HH seems to me to be a much flater/wider floor when I'm in it, while the sides do not rise up as high above me. Which also translates to less tendancy to shoulder squeeze, at least when using the side tieouts. So I think it might be easier to roll, though you would have to really put some effort in it. Like I did the first night I ever used it. I ended up partly on the net after MUCH wild thrashing while trying to get inside my mummy bag in the dark! If I don't have enough sag in my Speer, in addition to the shoulder squeeze that occurs, it can actually be very difficult to get out at all. Much less roll out by accident. It's like I'm down in a bathtub! ( BTW, as different as they are from each other, I love both of these hammocks about equally, so far. Pros and cons for both!)

Now, if you are talking about more stable getting in and out, I don't know that it is more stable. The HH seems extremely stable to get in or out of to me. Maybe the most stable. Just walk in, turn around and sit down/pull feet up. At a pretty good clip if you desire! Reverse for exit. But, the Speer is still plenty stable if you just take your time. No problem with either.

It sounds like you are really sinking down a whole lot after you get in. I weigh 205lbs. Mine normally goes down 6 to 10 inches after I get in. BUT, the closer the trees, the less it sags. If only 13 feet apart with stout trees, it will sag almost zero. (of course, it stretched more when new) If your trees are near the spacing limits ( 26ft. for explorer, a little less for ULBP?) you are going to get a lot more drop. You will have to hang your tree huggers higher ( a good bit ) if the trees are far apart. At least I do.

And at the most basic, are the trees stout or thin? Thin as in flexing some, or a lot? If the latter, you obviously will tend to hit the ground. And are your knots/lashing good, or are they slipping?

As long as you are sitting in the opening while the hammock supports all of your weight, you are going to have a good bit of pressure on your legs as the hammock trys to close. But if I have mine hung pretty high, I just put weight on each side of the middle and the velcro pops open. Then I a foot out, put the other out, sit up and DROP out. Presto/chango, it's done in a split second. But if I sit there for a minute, it really trys to cut my legs in half, or at least it feels that way!

And some of thst personal instruction from the pros at Traildays sounds like exactly what you need!

Keep trying, and good luck!
Bill :)

Noone told me part of hammocking was Gymnastics...:0 lol Ut oh...I think Ill go with "the fairies made me do it" story!