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  1. #1
    New Member
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Adirondacks
    Posts
    18

    Hammocking is getting way too complicated

    I've been lured into hammocking, from the tarp/tent world, by the siren song of comfort. So, what do I want, a cold, hard tent floor or a warm, embracing, cocooning, and comforting hammock that surrounds you with love?

    Now that I've ordered a hammock and am past that lure, I feel like the siren song has me ready to crash into the rocks like Jason and the Argonauts.

    Frankly, I'm overwhelmed with three thousand knots, four thousand slings, whoopies galore, reverse tensions lines and innumerable combinations of all of those that can not possibly be calculated.

    Honestly, it's turning me off. I've watched all of Shug's videos, and they are immensely helpful (and entertaining too Shug!). Kudos. However, I still feel like I am a babe in the woods. This is from a guy who has taken wilderness survival courses and could live off the land without benefit of almost anything much less a hammock.

    I'm at a point where I don't know how to proceed. Do I spend the next week learning knot tying? Do I spend the next week getting up to speed with lines, cords, carabiners, and the like?

    Help.....I'm completely overwhelmed.

  2. #2
    Senior Member flatline's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    high point, nc
    Hammock
    Wilderness Logics Night/Lite Owls
    Tarp
    WL-TP/OMW/BF
    Insulation
    WL-TQ/UQ x3
    Suspension
    Dutch-n-Whopies
    Posts
    2,162
    Images
    48
    you'll be okay. all that stuff is just buzzers and bells. just find a couple of trees to get in between and hang in there.
    a gps, the internet on a cel phone, an electronic book, even cable tv.etc.. all pretty cool but, by no means mandatory.
    just fly at your own altitude and fret not.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Bradley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    West Kootenay, BC
    Hammock
    NX-150 TX-150
    Tarp
    Vertex-Camo
    Insulation
    Z-Liner & DIY Pads
    Suspension
    Clark
    Posts
    1,557
    J u s t. . . . . g o. . . . . s l o w . . . . . g r a s s h o p p e r . . . . . . . .

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    .
    .
    .. . .
    Bradley SaintJohn
    Flat Bottom Canoe
    Start A Biz

    The Transition from Ground Sleeping to Hammocks
    is the Conversion from Agony To Ecstasy,
    and Curing Ground-In-somnia.

    "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show you great and mighty things . . ." Jeremiah 33:3
    ΙΧΘΥΣ

  4. #4
    Senior Member Bush's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    St Clair Shores, MI
    Hammock
    Gnome 1.5sl, WBBB 1.1dl
    Tarp
    WB Mamajamba
    Insulation
    JRB TQ, HG UQ
    Suspension
    Dynaglide Whoopies
    Posts
    162

    Complicated!?

    The more I look at this site the more I wonder what some people are thinking. I wanted comfort, simplicity, and function. I see so many elaborate ridgelines, prussik knots, dutch clips, etc. I use two knots only. The marlin spike hitch, better known as a kid as a slip knot, and a double half hitch with a quick release. I use the marlin spike hitch for my tree straps to carabiner (or spike) and attach my tarp lines directly to the tree with the double half hitch. Marlin spike hitch (without the release) for stakes as well. Simple, quick and easy, no failures or complcations. Whoopie slings for hammock to carabiner (or spike) make adjustments a snap. Keep it simple and you can do it in the dark with frozen hands in a couple minutes and be out of the elements and comfortable in no time at all. Keep the faith...Bush

  5. #5
    Senior Member Nojack's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Central California
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.1, HH Bkpkr Ult Asym , GT
    Tarp
    OES Mct, WB Sprfly
    Insulation
    leighlo,HG burrow
    Suspension
    Whoopies/straps
    Posts
    112
    Definitely, take it slow. What appeals to you will most likely be the right choice. I began hanging in the backyard with the bare minimum (hammock, pad, sleeping bag). As for the knots, you probably could get by with 3 or 4 different types and be fine. If you are intimidated by them, you can always go with webbing suspension and then you only need to know how to tie a half-hitch. I believe you are seeing numerous options and it may be clouding the big picture for you.


    Knowing yourself will help you find what is RIGHT for you. Some folks have chosen certain set-ups for weight reduction, while others have opted for a quick and easy sut-up and take down. Everyone has their own reasons for the way they hang and it is wise to review those that are most common to your type of hammocking.

    Before you know it, you will be inventing or re-inventing an improvement to your hang and maybe others, as well.

    Good Luck
    Last edited by Nojack; 05-07-2011 at 23:30. Reason: Addition

  6. #6
    Senior Member Bradley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    West Kootenay, BC
    Hammock
    NX-150 TX-150
    Tarp
    Vertex-Camo
    Insulation
    Z-Liner & DIY Pads
    Suspension
    Clark
    Posts
    1,557
    Actually I just use the stock as it came suspension . . . it is simple and works great.

    but I do have a couple of Flyz I'm going to try . . .
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    Thanks again, Dutch
    Bradley SaintJohn
    Flat Bottom Canoe
    Start A Biz

    The Transition from Ground Sleeping to Hammocks
    is the Conversion from Agony To Ecstasy,
    and Curing Ground-In-somnia.

    "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show you great and mighty things . . ." Jeremiah 33:3
    ΙΧΘΥΣ

  7. #7
    New Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
    Hammock
    ENO Dbl
    Insulation
    IX DIY UQ
    Suspension
    Webbing/Whoopies
    Posts
    8
    I'm a noob too. Here's my plan and how far along I am:

    Get a hammock... check
    get polypro webbing and make two tree straps (sew a loop on one end of each 15ft strap;I live in CA need bigger tree straps)... check
    Get amsteel 7/64 30 to 50 feet... check
    learn how to make a whoopie sling... check
    make to slings for connecting tree straps to hammock... check
    make another whoopie sling for adjustable ridgeline... check
    It's summer, go hang during the day when I need nothing else... check
    Get the stuff for DIY bug net project
    Make
    Get the stuff for IX Underquilt DIY project... check
    Make
    Get stuff for Top Quilt DIY project
    Make
    Get stuff for black cat tarp project
    Make

    Hang a lot more

    I decided this order for comfort and protection. Bugs will drive me nuts so that's first. I can use a sleeping bag on hot summer nights for warmth, but I still need bug protection. Then as nights get cooler I need the UQ, and I can use a sleeping bag for top. Finally, with dew points or rain I figure I need the tarp.

    Easy. If your not into the DIY I suggest buying in that order (exception: you purchased a hammock with bug net built in)

    BTW here are several links to stuff that I found helpful so far:

    Whoopie Slings/Amsteel
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=31110
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=29803
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dgCy2qyIGY


    Top Quilts
    http://thru-hiker.com/materials/insulation.php
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=27465


    Under Quilts
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=26751
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=21989
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=27876


    Bug Nets
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=31105
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=29093
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=29395
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=29059


    Tarps
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=25052
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=27100
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=28656
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ghlight=bungie
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=27220
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=27526
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=27480


    Stoves


    Hammocks
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=15205
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=28689
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=27917
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=15205


    Suspension
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=30930
    http://gear-report.com/how-to-make-d...riangles-myog/


    Other
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=29939
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4xugh_Kvcw
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=29018
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=28405
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=28470
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=28304
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=28033
    http://gear-report.com/how-to-make-d...e-straps-myog/
    http://www.youtube.com/user/creative...11/8ZAi4oi7H4M
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=27362
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=27235
    http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=9771

  8. #8
    Senior Member exup's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Columbus, OH
    Hammock
    Traveler 1.1 sl/WBBB 1.1 dbl
    Tarp
    HG Cuben/Standard
    Insulation
    Crowsnest
    Suspension
    Dynaglide whoopies
    Posts
    1,190
    Images
    2
    Pace yourself. This should be fun. You don't need to know everything. I've been into it for a yar almost and still don't know a lot.

  9. #9
    Senior Member lizzie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Whittier, California
    Hammock
    ENO - DN
    Tarp
    DIY Spinn/ Tadpole
    Insulation
    Orca IX/Incubator
    Suspension
    Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    459
    A cheap hammock, a blue pad, and some tree straps will get you going. From there it is a personal matter of how much time and money you want to invest.

  10. #10
    Senior Member Bubba's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    SW Ontario, Canada
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.7 SL
    Tarp
    WB Superfly
    Insulation
    WB and UGQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies or Straps
    Posts
    7,184
    Images
    248
    It's like any hobby or past time. It can get complicated and overwhelming if you let it. You can dismiss overly complicated things and stick to the basics. You say you have a lot of bush knowledge and I'm sure that didn't all come overnight. Learn at your own pace. Ultimately as others have said, a hammock and two trees gets you started. Take bits and pieces of what you like and leave the rest. After a while you can revisit things you ignored in the past.
    Don't let life get in the way of living.

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