Hanging from rocks...

**Acer** · 01-06-2013, 08:38

Originally Posted by mudbone

Wow you guys are quick! I appreciate the suggestions and will do a little more research on climbing hardware. I just don't know if the cave will have any cracks in the walls or not..

I have a cave on the border of my property, but,,,its sandstone with a column at the front of it giving you a total walkaround room before you go back in it. I am not sure if I would even try and use anything to hang in it as its sandstone and sand floor and would be afraid that the sandstone would be so gritty and weak that nothing would work. Needs to be a more solid rock wall as you can rub your hand across it and your hand would be full of sand. Then again, get a cam far enough back in a crack,,and there might not be any give. Would rather see that the rock is not so sandy,,more of a granite or even limestone makeup. We don't have granite stone in southern Indiana. Be careful of what rock makeup, you hang from I guess.

**turnerminator** · 01-06-2013, 09:08

I tried to hang off Gritstone last year with tree huggers wrapped round the rocks-just the weight of me in the hammock started to cut through the straps.

Lesson learnt for me, use cheaper disposable rope if not using hardwear on abrasive rocks.

**Scottybdiving** · 01-06-2013, 09:28

I did some test hanging in preparation for a rafting trip. I never used them but I always carry a set of CampUSA Tri Cams with me. It could be done.

**HamMike** · 01-06-2013, 09:41

I know I have seen some pictures on here of a cave hang. I don't mean hanging in a depressed section of a rock formation. I mean deep into a cave. Definately doable but use extreme caution when selecting a spot and look for loose rocks above just like you'd look for dead branches.

**Refreshing** · 01-06-2013, 14:41

I personally feel that buying cams (around $50 to $100 EACH) would be a waste of money unless you are an avid rock climber. Plus, if you don't have a teacher to show you how to place rock protection (cams, nuts, hexes, tricams) and build an appropriate anchor you will either sleep naively or spend wakeless nights knowing that your gear could blow from the crack and you could break a buttcheek.

If you MUST invest in gear then just get a set of nuts and a variety of slings. You can sling rock features, use the nuts in small cracks, and use rocks wedged into cracks as natural chockstones.

Originally Posted by Scottybdiving

I did some test hanging in preparation for a rafting trip. I never used them but I always carry a set of CampUSA Tri Cams with me. It could be done.

That is one sweet looking campsite! However that tricam placement looks terrifying. Your hammock looks high enough that if your gear blew you could land on a rock and fracture a spinous process. The number one rule in building anchors is REDUNDANCY. Using two pieces equalized with a sling is way more bombproof.

**mugs** · 01-06-2013, 14:44

Originally Posted by mattyg

Climbing nuts work

True, but their neck's may get tired after a while from the webbing pulling on them all the time

**Scottybdiving** · 01-06-2013, 17:22

Originally Posted by Refreshing

I personally feel that buying cams (around $50 to $100 EACH) would be a waste of money unless you are an avid rock climber. Plus, if you don't have a teacher to show you how to place rock protection (cams, nuts, hexes, tricams) and build an appropriate anchor you will either sleep naively or spend wakeless nights knowing that your gear could blow from the crack and you could break a buttcheek.

If you MUST invest in gear then just get a set of nuts and a variety of slings. You can sling rock features, use the nuts in small cracks, and use rocks wedged into cracks as natural chockstones.

That is one sweet looking campsite! However that tricam placement looks terrifying. Your hammock looks high enough that if your gear blew you could land on a rock and fracture a spinous process. The number one rule in building anchors is REDUNDANCY. Using two pieces equalized with a sling is way more bombproof.

You are right and I have no formal training with rock climbing gear. As I stated this was a test hang, and had no intentions of an overnight. Those close-up photos are deceiving and don't really depict the depth of that crack and a redundant cam could have easily been used. My conclusion was, it could be done under the right circumstances. For me, this means with a soft landing. On my 14 days on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, there were many situations where rock formations meet sandy beach. The next time I float the Grand Canyon, you can bet I will give it a shot to keep from sleeping on the ground again.

**Refreshing** · 01-06-2013, 18:56

Originally Posted by Scottybdiving

You are right and I have no formal training with rock climbing gear. As I stated this was a test hang, and had no intentions of an overnight. Those close-up photos are deceiving and don't really depict the depth of that crack and a redundant cam could have easily been used. My conclusion was, it could be done under the right circumstances. For me, this means with a soft landing. On my 14 days on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, there were many situations where rock formations meet sandy beach. The next time I float the Grand Canyon, you can bet I will give it a shot to keep from sleeping on the ground again.

Good stuff. Well here is a tip for you then. After you placed your tricam attach a sling and stand in it then hop up and down. If it doesn't pop out you will be plenty safe using it to hang! Just make sure you have a spork or stick to help you retrieve it.

**mudbone** · 01-06-2013, 20:20

Wow those are some good ideas! I am currently watching some gear on ebay that is being bid fairly low right now. I wont spend any real money as I have no interest in climbing right now, but I will buy some stuff on the cheap!

**swankfly** · 01-06-2013, 21:38

Originally Posted by Refreshing

Good stuff. Well here is a tip for you then. After you placed your tricam attach a sling and stand in it then hop up and down. If it doesn't pop out you will be plenty safe using it to hang! Just make sure you have a spork or stick to help you retrieve it.

JUST THE GUY I WAS HOPING TO JUMP ON THIS THREAD!

Now that you are in the conversation, there is little for me to add.

For those of you that don't know, this guy sleeps in the 50' plus canopy of the trees we hang 20" off the ground.

Listen to what he has to say about hanging from rocks, trees or anything over 3' off the ground.

swank