First Hang tonight @ Devils Lake State Park, WI

**billvann** · 06-19-2009, 08:55

My son's Scout troop is camping at Devils Lake State Park near Baraboo, WI. It's one of my favorite places we camp at and I never get tired of the 500 ft' quartzite bluffs.

The forecast for tonight is Thunderstorms! So I'll likely be setting up in the rain. My hammock is all set wrapped up in its snakeskin for easy assembly. The suspension ropes are still new with only a few hours of backyard hang time, so I think I'll tie them up a tad higher than I did in the yard to accomdate for further "newness" stretching and sag from the rain.

I'll have my snakeskins cover the tarp prussik knot to protect it from the rain. Do you think I should add a little strip of cloth at each end for a drip line or is that not needed.

Any other tips for setting up in the rain?

**Ramblinrev** · 06-19-2009, 09:02

It's hard to set up an HH in the rain when the tarp is attached to the hammock as the stock system dictates. You can't hang the tarp first and work under it to hang the hammock. You kind of have to trust the hammock is securely encased by the tarp when you pull off the snake skins. It can be done. I did it for awhile, but when I swapped out my suspension for the webbing/ring buckles I switched to hanging the tarp by itself to the trees.

**billvann** · 06-19-2009, 10:55

Mmm... I'll just have to work fast to unfurrel so the tarp protects the hammock. Then stake out the tarp first. Also, if its raining hard I'll just wait until it lets up. That should reduce the chance of a drenching. Thanks again, Rev.

**MrGreen** · 06-19-2009, 11:13

Baraboo is a beautiful part of Wisconsin. Hopefully the weather won't be to obnoxious for you. I would suggest attaching a drip line just to be safe. You never want to wake up in a pool of water. Good luck.

**billvann** · 06-19-2009, 12:55

Makes sense. I hope there's a breeze tomorrow to blow away the humidity. We're teaching backpacking techniques to the youinger boys and they'll be lugging their packs up the steep trails. Although the packs will be light, 10-20 pounds, they're not use to having them on their backs.

**cavediver2** · 06-19-2009, 13:43

Man as a kid I use to love to go up there and water ski,camp,hike,and all the shows up there. I sure miss that place.

Have fun take many pictures so you can post them here.

**Shug** · 06-19-2009, 13:51

Great area .... have a blast. Adversity is our ugly buddy! Get to know him.....
An absorbent pack towel ...shammy type .... is really good to have for wiping down after set up in the rain.
If you don't have drip strings take your extra free-hanging suspension and bring it up under the tarp and tie it off at the hammock end on the line as a redundancy factor.
Drip-Free Shug