Whats the 'perfect' hang?

**turtlelady** · 05-24-2010, 07:23

Close, which means what will accommodate a long tarp, and high, to help the old knees. High also facilitates a fast exit when duty calls during the night.

**Bug-Bait** · 05-24-2010, 08:40

Originally Posted by Cuffs

I agree, anywhere in the woods is perfect. But given a choice of places to hang, I'd like to see what's working for others and maybe modify what I'm doing.

I will also agree that I'll choose a view when I have the chance! FYI VanDeventer shelter just north of Hampton TN on the AT has great trees AND a view!

I hear ya Cuffs. It's interesting for me to read the responses to your question in this thread. It appears that some people hang at certain heights for different reasons. I like "chair height" because it is easier for me to get in and out of the hammock. Others hang their hammocks lower in order to be able to cook/eat, etc. from their hammocks. So the "perfect" height seems to be whatever works for each person and their reasons for that decision. I may now try a bunch of different heights and see what works best for me. Thanks for your interesting question.

**Cranky Bear** · 05-24-2010, 09:05

I voted for far tree's-low hang, but really I will take what I can get just as long as I am out there!!!!!!

**Hawk-eye** · 05-24-2010, 09:13

Originally Posted by Cranky Bear

I voted for far tree's-low hang, but really I will take what I can get just as long as I am out there!!!!!!

And really ... if you're out in the woods in your hammock is there really a bad hang ... really?

**ref103** · 05-24-2010, 20:53

more than close or far i like low. i too like to be able to reach things on the ground. also if i'm just lounging around i like to be able to reach out and get myself swinging a little.

**Barefoot Child** · 05-26-2010, 19:34

Hey guys,
I picked the wrong option...so sorry.

So I guess that that means the poll is skewed.

What I should have chosen was: "far trees and low hang", for all of the same reasons that SlowHike stated plus that fact that this here fella is SHORT!

I also like the stealthiness of a low hang.

My tarp is large and needs lots of room to spread it's wings and show off how large it can be.

I like being able to swing back and forth, and sometimes that requires actually touching the ground using me short arms.

And with a low hang it is easier to actually "roll" out in the morning.

As I have always told the Scouts "The best thing about waking up, is finding something in my bowl". (You have to sing that line...like they did on the Folgers commercial, only change the words a little bit)

But at the times that a high hang is required to get the job done, I use a slack line for a foot prop (why else would anybody in there right mind carry 50' of extra cord...really...I mean sheeesh) and it also assists in getting the swingee thingee going.

Zen, Smen....I just like hanging out in the Piney woods just awatching and alistening to what is ever offered up for my entertainment pleasure.

Long live the swingee thingee!!!

"Nature knows no indecencies; man invents them."
Mark Twain (Old Geezer)

**BillyBob58** · 05-27-2010, 07:55

Originally Posted by SGT Rock

Close - Trees just far enough apart to put my tarp up without much string between the edge of the tarp and the tree (like 6 - 12 inches on each side maybe).

Low - my butt is only about 3" - 6" off the ground.

The closer the trees ( as long as at least more than the minimum required for hammock/tarp length) the less the sag after hammock entry, seems to me. Plus you get a little better rain and wind block provided by the trees to which you are attached.

And depending on what kind of rocks are under me, I prefer not to be any higher above them than needed to avoid contact plus a few inches. Even though higher is more comfortable for getting in and out and using as a chair. I prefer to limit the distance available for a surprise fall.

**Bomber** · 05-27-2010, 13:31

Like Shug i like to cook and eat breakfeast from the hammock - so a low hang for me ;-)

**mtncmpr** · 05-27-2010, 15:10

.

Not to take this thread in another direction, but it sounds to me like a lot of hangers are cooking while in their hammocks. My question is: Does most everyone that fix a meal/coffee while in the hammock, get out of the hammock, get their food bag from where they hung it for the night, get back in the hammock, then fix meal. Or... do you just leave the food bag where you can reach it without getting out of the hammock?

.

**Mustardman** · 05-27-2010, 15:53

I'd venture a guess that those who are cooking from their hammocks aren't hanging their food bags

There are many, many places where bears are simply not an issue, and bagging your food can actually make it an easy target for rodents and other critters, where keeping it in your hammock can help scare those critters off.