Hanging over the river

[Steven Hall]

I see all these great pictures of people hanging their hammocks over a river or some type of body of water. It looks like a lot of fun, but I sure wouldn't wan't to get wet right before climbing in a hammock to go to sleep. Is there a secret to this?

[timabababaluka]

I see all these great pictures of people hanging their hammocks over a river or some type of body of water. It looks like a lot of fun, but I sure wouldn't wan't to get wet right before climbing in a hammock to go to sleep. Is there a secret to this?

I wouldn't want to get wet right after climbing in a hammock to go to sleep. One little suspension mishap and (depending on your setup) you could find yourself in a very Houdini-esque situation.

But to answer the original intent of this thread, I imagine they're getting in from a kayak or canoe and a buddy paddles off to take a picture. Either that or,like you suggest, they're getting wet

[Comet_Seeker]

I know that I've done it a couple times near my house. There's a large creek that runs through the back. Some of the tree roots and large rocks make it easy to get the hammock over the water and then with careful footing I can climb in. It is very relaxing.

[Deadphans]

It gets really cool when frogs forget you are there and they will be right under you singing away and jumping in the creek.

I was like a child, again again again, I say. Lol

[Bradley]

Don't try this at home . . .

. . . but this could be where the Clark NX/TX series come in handy,
what with the spreader bars in place and holding the Hammock open . . .

. . . with it set up over water . . . starting from afar . . . take a running leap from the dry ground and land in the hammock.

Could become an olympic sport . . . Eh Sport.

Sorry couldn't help but thinkin' . . . just how I'm wired.

[drchip]

I'd think the best setup in this situation would be the Hennessy with bottom entry!

[Gideon]

I recently did an over-nighter on the Mississippi. the trail ran along a ridge up on a high bluff. I seriously thought about hanging on the side of the bluff. The view would have been spectacular but in the end I thought better of it. I moved just far enough back from the edge so there was a little brush and a few trees between me and the edge. I could still see out/down and it was spectacular but there was enough that if something gave out I'd likely be able to get a hold of something before I took the plunge. I've seen these mountain climbing guys hand these tent things off the sheer side of a cliff and sleep in them; I think I'd be to scared to do that.

I suppose if you check out your gear and are really careful, camping in the back end of a swamp out of a kayak could be really fun.

[Alamosa]

I'd think the best setup in this situation would be the Hennessy with bottom entry!

I agree it may be the easiest to get in and out of. However, can you image if something gave/slipped and dumped you into the water. It could be very ugly trying to get out and not tangled up in the excitement of the moment.

Of course, that would go for any hammock with a net or over-cover.

[swankfly]

I recently did an over-nighter on the Mississippi. the trail ran along a ridge up on a high bluff. I seriously thought about hanging on the side of the bluff. The view would have been spectacular but in the end I thought better of it. I moved just far enough back from the edge so there was a little brush and a few trees between me and the edge. I could still see out/down and it was spectacular but there was enough that if something gave out I'd likely be able to get a hold of something before I took the plunge. I've seen these mountain climbing guys hand these tent things off the sheer side of a cliff and sleep in them; I think I'd be to scared to do that.

I suppose if you check out your gear and are really careful, camping in the back end of a swamp out of a kayak could be really fun.

The climbers are harnessed in at night, if they fell or something gave way they are still attached to their climbing rigging.

I once saw a photo I think in Australia of a guy with his hammock set up over the top of his canoe/kayak, between two trees during a flood. It was like camping in the middle of a lake. He had his tarp guyed out to the bow and stern of his boat perpindicularvto the hammock. Seems like the boat movement would wreak havoc on the tarp.

[mrmike65]

If I were to do this or a high hang, I think I would run a heavy line stretched above the hammock and do a hand-over-hand to get out to where I could lower myself into it.