Hanging a Hammock, Newbie Questions

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10-15-2007, 18:58
bmike

Hanging a Hammock, Newbie Questions

Got an HH Exped Asym as a birthday gift. I have long coveted a hammock for short hiking, kayak, and longer bike trips. I've read the HH site, poked round the net, and have searched and surfed through the HForums - pardon if these are easily answered newb questions... but I can't seem to find a 12 step program to get a hammock hanging right.

In the fading light tonight I tried to get a hang in the backyard.
Trees were small, I double wrapped them both.
They were at the limits of the hammock's line.

I started the hang as far as I could reach up the tree - I'm 5'8" tall, 195# (yikes! where did that come from??).
Managed to get the HH wrap tight, and the hammock snug.

Height of the HH was bar stool high. Opened the hatch and slowly got in. Managed to get fully inboard but knew that I was close to the ground, about 8" above. Getting out was interesting - nothing like 'sliding off a chair' as I've read on other sites.

Re-adjusted. Managed to get in again and ended up 12" above.
Played around for awhile... and packed it in when I couldn't see anymore.

Some questions, as this isn't as intuitive as I thought it would be:

What am I doing wrong with the hang?

When lying inside, on my back, how should I position myself in the A-sym? (head on the right - feet left, or head left - feet right?

Do folks stake down the hammock tie outs? The HH ties are shock cord - tie a loop and stake it out? How tight should they be (unloaded)?

And, what is, or where can I find the "Hammock's for Dummies" version of setting up?"

Thanks much...
Mike
10-15-2007, 19:10
Cannibal

Welcome!

You're not doing anything wrong. The HH line is famous around here for stretching, and stretching, and so on. It will stop eventually, I promise. Remember to really make it tight when you hang it.

In the HH; your head should be on your left and your feet to the right. The tie-outs depend; they aren't necessary. Many don't use them in cold weather mode so that pods or socks fit better. I recommend using them when you can.

This IS Hammock's for Dummies; welcome aboard.
10-15-2007, 19:16
FanaticFringer

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmike

Got an HH Exped Asym as a birthday gift. I have long coveted a hammock for short hiking, kayak, and longer bike trips. I've read the HH site, poked round the net, and have searched and surfed through the HForums - pardon if these are easily answered newb questions... but I can't seem to find a 12 step program to get a hammock hanging right.

In the fading light tonight I tried to get a hang in the backyard.
Trees were small, I double wrapped them both.
They were at the limits of the hammock's line.

I started the hang as far as I could reach up the tree - I'm 5'8" tall, 195# (yikes! where did that come from??).
Managed to get the HH wrap tight, and the hammock snug.

Height of the HH was bar stool high. Opened the hatch and slowly got in. Managed to get fully inboard but knew that I was close to the ground, about 8" above. Getting out was interesting - nothing like 'sliding off a chair' as I've read on other sites.

Re-adjusted. Managed to get in again and ended up 12" above.
Played around for awhile... and packed it in when I couldn't see anymore.

Some questions, as this isn't as intuitive as I thought it would be:

What am I doing wrong with the hang?

When lying inside, on my back, how should I position myself in the A-sym? (head on the right - feet left, or head left - feet right?

Do folks stake down the hammock tie outs? The HH ties are shock cord - tie a loop and stake it out? How tight should they be (unloaded)?

And, what is, or where can I find the "Hammock's for Dummies" version of setting up?"

Thanks much...
Mike

When lying on your back, head should be on the left, feet should be on the right. Also, hang the foot end slightly higher than the head end. This will help keep you from sliding downwards.
The hammock tie outs can be tied to your stakes. Tie them just tight enough to pull the sides out. The tie outs are also used with an underquilt such as a JRB underquilt that has side loops that the shock cord goes thru to help keep the underquilt correctly in place. Many dont use them at all.
No hammock for dummies that I'm aware of. There's a learning curve that will take a little time. Keep reading and asking questions.
Many of us here have ditched the suspension system on hammocks such as a Hennessy and opted for better options such as ring buckles and cinch buckles.
I use cinch buckles, carabiners, and webbing. Search here for plenty of info. about this. Much quicker and easier adjusting of the hammock compared to the tree hugger method such as Hennessy's. You can also hang from trees as wide apart as you wish and trees as thick around as you wish.
10-15-2007, 20:41
hangnout

If you were using the tree huggers that is the problem with the stretching. I just got 2 HH netless hammocks and hung them without the tree huggers and did not experience the continued stretching problem. The other thing is that the HH knot is usually a "loose" knot and will tighten up and the hammock will drop.
10-16-2007, 07:07
Peter_pan

Quote:

Originally Posted by HANGnOUT

If you were using the tree huggers that is the problem with the stretching. I just got 2 HH netless hammocks and hung them without the tree huggers and did not experience the continued stretching problem. The other thing is that the HH knot is usually a "loose" knot and will tighten up and the hammock will drop.

ALCON....(All Concerned), which should be everone on this point

Please do not start eliminating the tree saver straps.... they are necessary to prevent tree damage, especially on the thin line spectra HH models....

This is a good way to exaccerbate the "nothing tied to the trees" Issues of some state and local parks.

Substitute polyester straps if necessary to eliminate excessive stretch..... But realistically these stretch only an inch or so.... Just learn to deal with it.... stretch is easily planned and compensated.

Pan
10-16-2007, 07:17
kohburn

Quote:

Originally Posted by FanaticFringer

I use cinch buckles, carabiners, and webbing. Search here for plenty of info. about this. Much quicker and easier adjusting of the hammock compared to the tree hugger method such as Hennessy's. You can also hang from trees as wide apart as you wish and trees as thick around as you wish.

heh, i just had a vision of haning a HH with ratchet straps - the kind used to tie stuff down to trailers.
10-16-2007, 07:20
NCPatrick

Quote:

Originally Posted by kohburn

heh, i just had a vision of haning a HH with ratchet straps - the kind used to tie stuff down to trailers.

That has been discussed. :D Here's some info. http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...5830#post25830
10-16-2007, 07:49
Rapt

Nothing wrong with only being 8-12" off the ground.
10-16-2007, 07:56
NCPatrick

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rapt

Nothing wrong with only being 8-12" off the ground.

I agree with Rapt, there's nothing wrong with that height, especially since you're at the limit of the hammock's lines. I'd just keep readjusting/tightening, and let the line stretch work itself out.

Btw, welcome to the forums!