how do you pack up and unpack your suspension

**Richard Tipton** · 08-19-2013, 08:29

I'm of the "cram it all in one bag" camp, but I like some of the other options.

**The Old Boot** · 08-19-2013, 08:52

I took some leftover ripstop and made a sectioned storage kit much like Gresh's, only custom fitted for my stuff - each section holds; a set of tree straps, alum. toggles, tent pegs, and a spare section that holds emergency extenders/short length of shock cord etc.

The velcro closures keep it neat when in my pack and I can hang it over the tarp suspension instead of throwing it on the ground and losing things. When I'm packing up it's a simple case of checking to make sure that there's something in each section...

**olddog** · 08-19-2013, 09:12

I use a single line suspension (SLS) to which the tarp and tree huggers are left attached to the SLS. Managed to leave a set of huggers in the woods or lost them at home. So I followed Borntoroam's suggestion to permanently attach the huggers to the suspension. The SLS with tarp. huggers, stakes and lines in a tyvek envelope are stuffed in a mesh bag on the outside of the pack. This allows quick deployment of the tarp in the rain for a little dry spot to set it out with a cup of coffee. It also keeps the moisture and nasties on the SLS/tarp out of the pack. The hammock, bugnet and undercover/quilt are kept as a unit in a compactor bag in the lower compartment of the pack requiring only 2 soft shackles to hang from loops fixed to the SLS.

**UrsaMajor1887** · 08-19-2013, 09:16

Currently I disconnect the whoopee hooks and coil up the tree straps and whoopee slings and put them in the Cuben HG sack that came with my HG Cuben tarp along with my stakes. WBBB goes in a double sided HG Cuben fiber stuff sack. Tarp goes in outside pocket. Hammock goes in the pack with the TQ and UQ. Last, I put my hand on each of the trees I hung from and thank them for their support making sure they didn't hang on to any of my gear.

**Gristlehead** · 08-19-2013, 09:17

OK I must admit I'm a leave it all tied and pack it in one bag kind of guy. However, after seeing the Gresh bag I'm starting to re-think my approach.

**Faussett** · 08-19-2013, 22:59

Wow a lot of ways I could go about this. I think I like the whole roll-up idea that Grish showed. Gonna try something like it but a little different. Thanks

**tight-wad** · 08-19-2013, 23:32

I use a double ended bishop bag; basically a long silnylon tube with 2 draw cords on each end. 2nd set of draw cords are ~6+" from the end. Hammock and down under quilt are stuffed into the big middle section, draw cords tightened, then suspension apparatus is stuffed into smaller pockets on each end of bag, and end cords are tightened. Looks like a funny sausage, but it works for me.

At hanging time: open one end of suspension, strap to the tree, open the 2nd draw cord on that end and pull the hammock out towards the other tree. When the hammock is out of the bag, I open the other end and pull out the other end of the suspension. Leave the bishop bag on the suspension line.

Striking camp, do the reverse, unhook one tree, stuff cords into small pocket, walking backwards, stuff hammock and quilt into big section, tighten draw cord, stuff 2nd end of suspension into small pocket on other end, tighten end drawstring.

This system keeps wet cords off the hammock and quilt, but everything is in one bag. Mine stuffs to ??? 12" long x 6+" diameter???

Tarp is in a separate double ended bag. Open one end, pull out tarp tie, tie to tree, walk to second tree with tarp spewing out of bag, open 2nd end of bag, pull out other end of suspension, tie to tree, adjust to center the tarp. Do tarp first, center and level, then use tarp as guide for hammock.

**OneClick** · 08-20-2013, 07:48

I never even considered detatching my straps. Shove it all in the bishop bag. Done.

I can understand this if they are covered in sap, but I prevent this in the first place by using a piece of bark or whatever is available.

**sjarvis** · 08-20-2013, 08:42

What Dutch said.

I use his Whoopie Hooks ---well, not HIS whoopie hooks, but some of my own that I bought from him

I unhook one whoopie hook from a continuous loop that's in my Dream Hammocks Dangerbird and start stuffing the hammock toward the other end. When I get to the other end, I unhook that whoopie hook and seal up the other side of my hammock stuff sack. The hammock goes in the backpack.

I have Dutch Clips Ti on my tree straps which are larks-headed to my whoopies. I wrap those up and put them in a small stuff sack that goes with my tarp on the outside of my pack. So, I can get my tarp and my hammock suspension rigged before ever opening my pack. That comes in useful when it's raining.

**Lost_Biker** · 08-20-2013, 12:16

Originally Posted by Gresh

I use THIS. It's ridiculously convenient, and I don't leave anything behind because if there's an empty slot, I'm missing something.

Thanks Gresh! I have a bunch of these envelopes that I didn't have a use for - now I do!

This simple "I don't care if it rips" bag is brilliant! I admit to being a cram it all in a sack person - and always end up losing something. Oh, and these envelopes make good ridge line organizers too.