Hammocks, hex flys and tarps

[soa_uk]

Right, having bought two group buy hammocks, one hex fly group buy, owning one aussie hootchie ...
... having rings, tapes and cord ordered
... being in possession of some pegs

...and hoping for a less windy weekend

I'm having a go this weekend [at least to bung 'em up and down a few times].

I'm trying to gather useful pitch information

Bushcraft hanging hammock thread
Ridge rope size/bungee discussion Hammock rope discussions and I ordered tape and rings like that!
How to hang a tarp with discussion about poles and ridgeropes!
Recommended telescopic basha poles if you need them?

Basically my intentions are...

use tape to tie rings on to hammocks (in dry, before I go).
practice hammocky knots (in dry, before I go).

Stick up a ridge rope and hang/tie off hexfly; use guy/pegs to fix sides down if breezy...

Tie tape to trees (above fly rope)
[still have doubts about how easily tape knots will come undone.]

Tie free ends of tape to hammock rings adjust so I can sit in it (without backside hitting ground!

Then, try lying in it.
Then try with bag lying in it.
Then with bag and windscreen sunshade beneath it.

Then decide whether I need airic mat or not.

If not, possibly try and kip in it. Aaargh.

 

[MagiKelly]

Sounds about right.

I would attach the rings to the hammock using the cord that the hooks were attached with. Saves cutting any tape and stops the cord going to waste. I then stitch the tape to the ring (the long lenth you will tie to the tree). You do not need to do this but it keeps everything together.

Setting up the Hex Fly is tha same as a Basha so I do not imagine you need any advice on knots etc. What I would say it that I always set it fairly flat. Even when it is breazy you really do get enough coverage to keep you dry and I prefer to be able to see around me.

I would send you my copy f the Eco System DVD but it is currently with the midge netting manufacturer so he can price your group buy net

I am keen to hear how you get on with the hammock. It surprises me that considering I have sent out almost 150 of these there has not been that many pictures of them in use. Except for Povarian's lunch time retreat.

 

[MagiKelly]

Oh I should mention that I set up the ridge line first. Then put the Hex Fly over it and attach it will sliding tension knots ( which I do not know the name of, Prosaic?). I prefer this as I do not like trying to put up the ridge line with a tarp flapping about in the wind. Also if the ridge line goes under the tarp I can hang things from it (the ridge line). And before anyone coments that water will run along the ridge line and drip on me, it has never happened so far. I assume the knots tensioning the tarp act as drip lines and stop the progress of any water.

 

[leon-1]

Then put the Hex Fly over it and attach it will sliding tension knots ( which I do not know the name of, Prosaic?).

Prussik or Kleimheist I think is the one you are looking for John

 

[soa_uk]

I am keen to hear how you get on with the hammock. It surprises me that considering I have sent out almost 150 of these there has not been that many pictures of them in use.

150?

Good Lord, you truly are king of the Group Buy!

The manufacturers must love you - and I'd guess it gives you some history to go with when looking for future opportunities!

 

[MagiKelly]

150?

Good Lord, you truly are king of the Group Buy!

The manufacturers must love you - and I'd guess it gives you some history to go with when looking for future opportunities!

I know. The minimum order was 50. I was actually just looking for the material and my wife would do me the sewing to make a couple but it was cheaper to buy the finished product. I put a post on here and quickly got the numbers for the minimum order. By the time they arrived I was well over half way for the second batch and by the time they arrived there were names for the third. That one took a little longer but at the end was over subscribed.

The scary thing is that a few people have already asked about getting more and one person, whoc has still to recieve theirs, has indicatd that if he likes it he may want 20 .

If I had known there was such a big demand I would have set up a shop and put a link in my signature. It has worked out okay for me anyway as I got 10 at a good price and got to help some friends out.

 

[cossack]

It is good that there are friends like John around, thanks to you and the other 'group buy' organisers :You_Rock_ on BCUK

 

[soa_uk]

OK, so today I set off into the forest at the top of the Black Isle.

Drove up there, walked down a forestry path, and off into the wood itself. The bit where I was is actually a conifer plantation (very bumpy and uneven underfoot; loads of soft areas and very uneven)


I'd practiced the improved hammock knot , and tried to work out the faconers knot, evenk knot, and mooring hitch for the hammock.

I'd got some ridge/guy lines from bearclaw bushcraft (in a nince muted green, so I thought I'd better set up the fly.

I got the ridge line and fly up OK:

.

I then used the IHK to attach the webbing to the trees, which went fine.
Now, to attach the hammock!

That went OK. What's it like?

.

Seemed comfy enough. What was the general view?

Well, we thought it was roomy enough.

I'd got the Hex fly skew-wiff, so it needed resetting.

That looked a bit more like it.

Even SWMBO gave it a try.

and thought it was OK; she's said she might consider the odd night out in a hammock, which was a real result.

The tape worked fine; the rings were peasy to get on. I need to sort out my knots for attaching the tapes to the rings, so they're easy to tie, adjust and release - I think I need to get the hammock ends more level with each other.

I need to work out the best way of getting the tarp rigged easily.
So, an overall success.

Thanks, John.

Comments and suggestions welcome!

 

[MagiKelly]

Glad to hear you like it.

Yes you do need to get the ends more level. Your head seems very near the end in the pictures, I am guessing this is because that end is lower. Also if you lie at more of an angle you may find it more comfortable.

The knot at the rings is very easy to do, just slightly harder to explain. Basically you are going to tie a simple knot but instead of putting the end of the rope through put a loop / bend through. So if you pull the free end the loop comes out and the knot is undone. Once you get the hang of this you can progress to locking it. To do this you form a loop / bend in the free end and put this through the loop of the knot and tighten the knot loop to hold it in place. This knot will still quick release but is less likely to come out.

Once I get my copy of the Eco System back I will send it up and it should make things clearer.

 

[MagiKelly]

Oh meant to ask, did you actually spend the whole night in it or was it just a try out.

Also if you think setting the hammock was hard imagine pitching a tent in the same spot