Widow makers and overbuilt ridgelines.

[Scotty Von Porkchop]

Obviously site selection is paramount here but after the resent storms in the UK there's broken, snapped and damaged trees everywhere. Today was my first trip out after weeks of damp, sodden cabin fever and on my walk got thinking about my ridgeline and if it could provide, at least some, protection from falling limbs.

My current set-up is a 6mm vectran core with climbing carabiners for hanging the hammock off of in a SLS type affair. I was going to swap them out as 20m weighs in at close to 500g (1.1lb) and with tree straps and carabiners it goes over that. Now though I'm not sure? should I even beef up the tree straps to ensure no weak points?

love to hear any experiences or ideas around deadfall protection

[SilvrSurfr]

I would think a beefed-up ridgeline would provide about as much protection against widowmakers as an aluminum foil hat protects you from government attempts at mind control. But hey, if it makes you feel safer, then have at it!

[BillyBob58]

I would think a beefed-up ridgeline would provide about as much protection against widowmakers as an aluminum foil hat protects you from government attempts at mind control. But hey, if it makes you feel safer, then have at it!

"as an aluminum foil hat protects you from government attempts at mind control." The aluminum foil has been working for me, at least that's what the guv told me to say!

For falling stuff, It might help prevent some minor injuries from a minor branch, compared to nothing at all.

[XTrekker]

it really depends on how the branch falls. if it falls pointed down like most of the time, it may not help but if it falls horizontally, it may bounce off the Ridgeline or be slowed by the Ridgeline at least.

[gmcttr]

...For falling stuff, It might help prevent some minor injuries from a minor branch, compared to nothing at all.

That's about all I would expect.

My yard is surrounded by woods and a high percentage of limbs that are large enough to do major damage "arrow" down and penetrate the heavy clay soil up to 8".

[SnrMoment]

Attach the foil hat to the ridge line and you're invincible.

[SilvrSurfr]

Just realized you have a 6mm Vectran suspension. Doesn't that have a 5000 lb. breaking strength? I can only imagine what the breaking strength on a 20mm Vectran rope would be (18,000 lbs???), but you'd be going from "overkill" to "insane overkill."

I would imagine a 20mm Vectran suspension would outweigh the hammock, tarp and your backpack too!

[Hangandy]

Funny. I was thinking the same thing a few weeks ago.

I know that not much will keep a large limb from introducing you a little earlier to St. Peter. But for the small to medium ones that could knock you silly or at least wake you up with a start I suspect some good dyneema or even Zing-it would help direct the limb's fall enough to save you some serious discomfort.

The secret for me would be to hang the line as high up as possible.

Just my uneducated thoughts.

[ShadNuke]

Maybe chainmail rig? Might be a bit heavy, but it would be pretty badass! And maybe help disperse smaller falling limbs... Maybe being the operative word there haha

[gmcttr]

Maybe chainmail rig? ...

Don't even get me started on chain mail suspension systems.