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Boundary Waters / Quetico Discussion Forums >> Strictly Gear - Gear specific reviews and ideas. >> Some things I have learned about hammocks
https://quietjourney.com/community/YABB.cgi?num=1187528527 Message started by Magicpaddler on Aug 19th, 2007 at 1:02pm |
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Title: Some things I have learned about hammocks Post by Magicpaddler on Aug 19th, 2007 at 1:02pm
I have been exposed to 3 types of hammocks. One was the ones with a frame around the bottom and tight straps under the bottom to make a almost flat bottom. These look more like tents hanging in trees and are roomy, allow gear inside and possibly big enough for 2. The Clark is a pea pod type with built in pockets on the bottom. The pockets allow for gear storage and help keep you warm on those chilly nights. The hammock I own is a Hennessey. It allows you to lie at an angle to the trees it is hanging from and this lets your body lay flatter. I sleep on both sides and my back. The fly that comes with the Hennessy will keep the hammock dry but I like to have an area to keep gear dry and get dressed and even cook under so I made a large tarp that I like better. I have made 2 of these tarps one for a friend. I used a Campmore 10ft X10 Ft for one and a 9ft X 12ft for the other. Both work well.
(You need to Login or Register Picto035C To make the tarp take 2 pieces of web strap about 3 inches long each and sow each into a loop. Then attach one to each side of the tarp in the center. That’s it you’re done. You will also need 3 ropes 1/8 diameter nylon or parachute cord about 30 to 50 ft long each. You will also need about 16 Clothespins. The ones with a spring in the middle. Setup the tarp. I look for 2 trees about 15 to18 ft (5 paces) apart. Tie one end of one of the ropes as high in one of the trees as you can comfortably reach. Run that rope through the loop that is sown to the outside of the tarp and on to the other tree. I pull this rope fairly tight and tie it high in the second tree. Take rope 2 and tie it to one of the trees about eye level Run this rope through the tie eyelet in one of the corners then through the loop sown to the underside of the tarp and on through the far corner eyelet and on to the other tree. Tie it tight at about eye level. Spread the tarp out and slide back and forth on the ropes until it is centered over where the hammock will be. Put about 3 Clothespins under the tarp on rope 2 up against the corner eyelets on both corners to hold the tarp out. Run rope 3 through one of the unused corner eyelets and under the tarp through the sowed in loop and on out through the far corner eyelet. Let the weather tell you where to tie rope 3 ends. If it’s a hot night tie them far out or chest level to a tree. If it’s a rainy windy night tie them near the hammock. Again use about 3 Clothespins on each corner to keep the tarp stretched. I take 4 of the ¼ “ aluminum tent stakes and some times use them or a rock. I some times find a stick and prop one corner of the tarp up and sometimes I run a string form one of the side eyelets up or out into a tree providing better ventilation and view. Setup hammock Put the tree huggers around the tree so the ends are about neck height. The ideal setup is to start with the center of the tree hugger on the hammock side of the tree at forehead level and spiral both ends around the tree ending about 3 to 5 inches apart on the hammock side of tree at neck height. By changing how high up the tree you start you can adjust how near the ends end up most of the time. You do not want the ends to be touching. Another method (used in above and below picture) I frequently use is to run the hugger around the tree and put one end through the loop in the other end (a choker to a rigger) and pull it tight. Then hang the hammock form the end that went through the other. The standard hammock knot is very difficult to use when tied to a single strap and I have come up with a alternate knot that works well. I will cover that knot later. I usually tie the first end up with the hammock too close to the tree with a single half hitch so it will slip. Then go to the other end and when I pull the rope tight the hammock will rise off the ground but will slip until it is at the correct position under the tarp. Then I go back and retie the first knot correctly and I like it tight. Usually I set on the hammock at this point to stretch it and then retie one end to get the hammock tight. I took the side shock cords and looped them through a “D” ring and back to the hammock “D” ring 6 times to get a stronger pull on the sides. With a 6 ft cord on each of the “D” ring they can be tied out and down each about 5 ft from the center of the hammock. At this point the hammock needs testing. Get in roll around make sure it will hold you with your eyes shut. This test will take form 15 to ???? minutes. |
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