Widowmaker awareness

**Tamah** · 10-05-2011, 22:03

Hi, this is my first post here. I’m new to hammock camping and I’ve learned a lot from you guys (and girls), so I wanted to try to give something in return. I think I just found my opportunity.
The other day I set up my new hammock in my back yard and practiced with some knots and different tensions ect. After I finished, I ended up leaving the hammock set up in the yard.
When I looked out my window today, I saw that a huge limb had fallen onto the hammock. I ran out to see if it had done any damage. Attached are the pictures. They don’t do this branch any justice at all; it’s actually bigger and heavier than it looks. I certainly wouldn’t want to have been hit in the face with it while sleeping. Luckily no one was hurt.
Here are some of my thoughts on this event:
1. I noticed that the dead branch was in the tree above me while I was setting up the hammock, but it was offset about 90 degrees from where my hammock was hung. So if it had fallen straight down, it wouldn’t have hit the hammock; I didn’t think it would be a threat. What were the chances of it falling anyway? Apparently it picked today to fall.
2. I found that branches don’t always fall straight down. This one must have bounced and ricocheted off of other branches in order to hit my hammock. So don’t think you’re totally safe just because a dead branch is on the other side of the tree. Choose a different tree.
3. If I had a structural ridgeline set up, it might have absorbed the blow. Of course this would only work when the branch falls on an angle like this one did, but why not stack the odds in your favor? Maybe there are some added safety aspect to strong ridgelines. I’m going use one.
This weekend I’m going out on a three day trip. This will be my first time out without a tent (I’m a newie). Wish me luck. I hope this wasn’t an omen.

**enoorange** · 10-05-2011, 22:08

Well the hammock survived.

**MAD777** · 10-05-2011, 22:12

Wow! Well Tamah, you know how to impress on your 1st post! A big Welcome from Florida to Hammock Forums.

First of all, I'm glad you weren't in the hammock when that thing came down!

Second of all, I'm going to order some 1/2" Amsteel to use for my structural ridgeline!

**olddog** · 10-05-2011, 22:39

Welcome aboard from Florida. Thank you for the reminder.

**Phillipsart** · 10-05-2011, 22:50

Reminds me a hike I completed 6 months ago at Fraser Island, this was the day's I was a ground dweller using a tent.

On the 3rd night. I could not decide to which camp site to take, there where two I had my eyes on. Lucky i choosen the one I did, because during the night a large tree came down on the very spot where I would have had my tent on the other site.

**Bubba** · 10-05-2011, 22:52

Good first post. It's great to see pics as well as be reminded that branches don't always fall straight down. Glad you weren't hurt.

**SilvrSurfr** · 10-05-2011, 22:59

Welcome to the forum from Exit 105 on the GSP!

Since nobody got hurt, I can say that that is TOO FUNNY. Talk about learning from experience. I'll bet you not only check out your hanging site religiously for widowmakers, but you develop a neck problem from hiking while looking up for widowmakers.

Also, I'm no arborist, but it looks like that tree has a disease. I've lost four trees in my yard to what appears to be the same malady affecting your tree. You might want to find another backyard hanging area . . . .

**wyleone** · 10-05-2011, 23:42

Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

Welcome to the forum from Exit 105 on the GSP!

Since nobody got hurt, I can say that that is TOO FUNNY. Talk about learning from experience. I'll bet you not only check out your hanging site religiously for widowmakers, but you develop a neck problem from hiking while looking up for widowmakers.

Also, I'm no arborist, but it looks like that tree has a disease. I've lost four trees in my yard to what appears to be the same malady affecting your tree. You might want to find another backyard hanging area . . . .

That reminds me, I was driving home a few years ago. A Nissan Maxima cut me off very close. Then slowed down inexplicably. (I'm sure this has never happened to anyone else) About 1/8 up the road, he passed under a huge oak tree, as a limb about 18" in dia. and 4 feet long crushed his roof in about 12" over where his passenger would have been sitting.
I had to swerve into the oncoming lane to keep from hitting it.
Widow maker, totaled car, Karma.

**KerMegan** · 10-05-2011, 22:52

also the heads-up on non direct falling potential! good to remember..
KM(who spends some time each year pulling down obviously dead branches from the trees in the yard, but mostly to have something to burn, secondly to keep them from falling when they feel like it..)