Just in case!

[Miguel]

Since I retired last year I've been doing lots of hammock camping. Having spent much of the last year in southern CA (read- lack of trees) I was in the habit of always bringing a tent as a backup, "just in case" I had to go to the ground. On a side note, that only happened once at Joshua Tree NP.

I decided rather than lug around an extra tent I had better learn how to go to the ground with my Claytor Jungle Hammock. There is a picture on their site of one on the ground but it's unclear and there is no tarp being used.

In reality two hiking poles or sticks are all that is needed. The setup is remarkably sturdy. After a bit of experimentation I discovered that it is easiest to set up the tarp first by simply wrapping the line once or twice around the hand grip and then staking the line to the ground. I then centered the hammock on the gound and attached the netting suspension lines to the same hand grips. Insert your mattress of choice and you're good to go. It was a sweet and sturdy setup and once I figured it out, took less time to setup than my tent.

Attached are two pics showing a setup with the poles low and extended. There was good rain coverage with both setups.

Anyone interested in buying a tent?

Miguel

[HappyCamper]

Nice. Thanks for the photos. New people on the forum are especially interested to see this setup.

[Perkolady]

Thanks Miguel,

I've never seen this before! It's good to know this would work, and that there's good coverage under the tarp. Also good to know it wasn't too much of a hassle to set up.

Appreciate it!
Perkolady

[slowhike]

You may want to use something between your hammock & the ground (ccf pad, ground cloth) to protect it from damage so it'll be sure & not let you down next time you hang<G>.

[Miguel]

You may want to use something between your hammock & the ground (ccf pad, ground cloth) to protect it from damage so it'll be sure & not let you down next time you hang<G>.

For sure I'd use a ground cloth, but I'm hoping I never have to use it at all.

Miguel

[headchange4u]

IMHO, the Claytor style hammocks have always had the advantage as being a very nice, viable ground setup, should the need arise. I know that almost any type of hammock can be converted into a ground arrangement but I think nobody does it as well as the Claytor -type hammocks. Truthfully I couldn't even imagine trying to crawl through the entry slit on a HH. My DD hammock sets up very nice on the ground, just like the Claytors. My most recent hammock acquisition, the SBP would also set up nicely on the ground.

[Hooch]

Nice. Thanks for the photos. New people on the forum are especially interested to see this setup.

You mean this setup?

[slowhike]

You mean this setup?

There's ed!