Intimacy in a hammock?

**J.Daniel** · 07-08-2009, 17:57

Ok, this is a heck of a way for a newbie to start out, but I've got to get some info on this!

How do couples/married people make this whole hammock thing work???
Everything seems geared for going solo.

Do you have to be a gymnast to get your groove on in a hammock?!
Is it even "doable"?
I'm having a hard time making the mechanics of it work in my head.
I'm really not sure how tight the moderation is here because I only discovered this site a couple days ago, but I would like some serious discussion if it's allowed.

(hope the BAN hammer isn't gonna get dropped on me!

)

btw, I've never even sat in nor seen a camping style hammock before.
..come to think of it, I can't even be sure that I've EVER even been in a hammock.
I used to be an avid backpacker/camper and want to get back into it.
I always had trouble sleeping on the ground and this is what has drawn me to this newfangled idea.

J.D.

**DGrav** · 07-08-2009, 18:11

Adding one of these to your setup helps

**Ekul** · 07-08-2009, 18:21

Hammocks are swings no?! Imagination is the rest.

**Ramblinrev** · 07-08-2009, 18:26

Originally Posted by J.Daniel

ZERO (0) results for the word "sex" ! WTF, is everybody celibate/single?!!

How do couples/married people make this whole hammock thing work???
Everything seems geared for going solo.

Do you have to be a friggin' gymnast to get your groove on in a hammock?!
Is it even "doable"?
I'm having a hard time making the mechanics of it work in my head.
I'm really not sure how tight the moderation is here because I only discovered this site a couple days ago, but I would like some serious discussion if it's allowed.

It's referred to as "dynamic load testing". Not sure whether that would show up in a search here or not. But there has been some peripheral observations.

**angrysparrow** · 07-08-2009, 18:31

This is a valid conversation point. This is also a family-friendly site.

Choose your language carefully.

**adkpiper** · 07-08-2009, 18:43

Why would you want to work that hard? You're in a hammock! Relax!

I would make sure that you were in a system with substantial redundancy in suspension and base fabric. If you use the polyester straps or Dyneema/Spectra cordage that's popular for suspension, recognize that the dynamic loading will entirely borne by your hammock fabric and the trees. I would expect your hammock to wear out rather sooner; you also might pull the trees rather closer together than you'd like to imagine.

I have slept in a hammock whose fabric was wet, thanks to an unpleasant rainstorm that happened before I learned to set the tarp up first. I did not find the sensation particularly enjoyable. You can use your imagination about the relevance of this concern to your proposed activity.

Unless you are going with an extremely wide hammock, most models are too narrow for you to lie side-by-side inside. Consider the potential ramifications vis-a-vis The Dismount.

Consider whether you will want your hammock, when used as a sleeping area, to be a mostly scent-free area, or whether you don't mind olfactory allusions to previous activities.

In short: I would recommend that you choose a hammock setup that involves a closed-cell foam pad for insulation, and that you put that foam pad to a slightly different purpose before retiring to bed.

**Shadowmoss** · 07-08-2009, 19:05

adkpiper: Most of your issues, which are extremely valid, are also present in a tent. Most also apply to any time couples are away from running water (from my small sample data...). The solutions would be the same. Extra padding/sleeping bags positioned as necessary and certain supplies men should be carrying anyway becoming multipurpose. I know Cannibal has professed to many nights spent sleeping 2 to his hammock with Genuine Draft. He is off hiking, I believe, or he would have chimed in.

I would like to think that with the right attitudes, and a certain flexibility on both parts, it would be doable. If it's not, please leave me to my illusions.

**Dameon** · 07-08-2009, 19:39

I will not elaborate further than just to say yes, it is possible, and even enjoyable.

**goalie** · 07-08-2009, 19:47

Originally Posted by Shadowmoss

I would like to think that with the right attitudes, and a certain flexibility on both parts, it would be doable.

As a guy who can still do the splits (I actually am a goalie....) I can say that being flexible does help, and it is doable. Maybe that's why I'm still HAPPILY married after 10 years.