Orientation

[Wabbajack]

Hi, new to hammock usage and am just wanting some clarification. I was recently enjoying a nap on a hammock at a friend's camp site like this:



My friend comes up to me and tells me I'm doing it wrong and that you are supposed to lay more like this:



The hammock was more like the 2nd pic rather than the first, and you could also stretch it so that you could lay down fully the 2nd way.

Which is the more preferred way to lay in a hammock? Are there situations where one way is a better idea than the other?

[Cannibal]

Totally depends on the type of hammock.

The net hammock in the second pic is similar to a Mayan type of hammock. Speaking in generalities, they are wide and the expansion of the weave makes them even wider. This makes sleeping perpendicular in the hammock very easy and comfortable.

The top picture looks really uncomfortable, but I digress. Most of the modern camping based hammocks are designed to find a comprimise in body position. Laying diagonally in the hammock tends to provide a flatter surface for your body. Still others prefer hammocks that are meant to be strung tighter (less sag). This restricts the diagonal option, but many folks prefer to sleep in-line (straight).

Again, it all depends on the hammock and what is most comfortable for you.

[poker88]

I was recently enjoying a nap on a hammock at a friend's camp site
...
Which is the more preferred way to lay in a hammock?

The preferred way to lay in a hammock is the way that is comfortable to you. If you were enjoying your nap then I'd say your way was fine.

[gunner76]

Here is a variation I used on a recent hang for a tarp. As you will learn there are many ways to hang a tarp, use what works for you.

[TinaLouise]

Laying in a hammock like that first picture is fine if you're reading a book or just hanging out talking with people. But to actually sleep like that???!!! Well, I can't do it. I need for my head to be lower. Now if you're talking about just laying down the middle and not about how high your feet/head are, then yes, that's do-able... in the right hammock. Some hammocks are lay down the middle types and some are lay cross-ways of the middle. Just depends on the hammock.

Tarps, you can use anything that keeps the rain or weather off of you. I just used my Guide Gear tarp this past weekend set up on the diamond (like the picture Gunner76 posted). I used the tieouts on two corners to tie to the trees and the other two corners were staked way out (had my treking poles and used them also). I've also run a line tree to tree and put the tarp over it for the A-frame look. Just depends on what the weather is as to how I set up that huge Guide Gear tarp.

TinaLouise

[WonderMonkey]

You will notice in the top picture that she has her knees raised. That's about the only way that could possibly be anywhere close to comfortable. Even when I'm laying super flat in my traveler I sometimes put something under my knees just because I like it like that.

[Bubba]

I find diagonal to be most comfortable for me. The first picture would kill my knees.

[Knotty]

[Pipsissewa]

Brilliant, Knotty!

[Knotty]

Comes from Byer of Maine. Communicates the idea simply and effectively.

Just ignore the "correct hanging height" info.