hanging a hammock

[andyn]

I've recently picked up one of the DD hammocks off ebay and an XXL basha from KT, so I've been out playing at the weekend...

I've cut the hammock tapes right down, tied them into loops, and attached karabiners and I use 2 5m x 50mm tapes to tie to trees. I tie the tree end using a slippery hitch (Evenk hitch, I believe), then pass the tape through the krab and tie it off using a mooring hitch. The mooring hitches can be adjusted to get the right tension / scoop, and then locked in place by pulling on the loop and the running side of tape. I did try using tautline hitches, but they don't seem to hold in tapes.

The mooring hitch is a great knot for this application, in my opinion. Easy to tie, easier to untie, slides easily in its sliding form but locks up so tight that it's easier to untie it than unlock it. Not putting fixed loops in your tapes keeps them available for other uses.

I keep looking at the falconers' knot, but I can't quite seem to get it right yet...

Hmm is this the same Gregorach of pclincs? If so....Hi

 

[gregorach]

Bloody 'ell - fancy meeting you here! It's a small world isn't it?

 

[moduser]

HI Gregorach,

My setup is the same as yours; DD hammock with XXL KT basha.

I also added a cheap £10 mossy net. Have a look in the gallery, search New Forest, for pictures of the rig (actually two DD hammocks under the KT basha

 

[gregorach]

I went for the 3 x 2.5m version rather than 3 x 3m - I reckon it's big enough for one... I do most of my camping up north, where mozzies aren't really a worry - I'm hoping that the hammock itself will be enough to deal with the midges. They're bloody devious little buggers though, so I might well end up adding a net. Probably something more like the ecosleep net though (but not actually an ecosleep) - short and closed at the bottom, rather than draping right down to the ground.

 

[moduser]

gregorach,

I'm in the process of modifiying one of the DD's with a sewn in mossy net with velcro entry.

I'll post when it's done with a few pictures.

The only reason for the mossy is because I like to camp near water, so tend to be a problem

 

[gregorach]

You just need to camp in colder places...

Although, having said that, there were a couple of mozzies around up on Skye last month. Damn global warming - I'm gonna have to move to Scandinavia if it keeps up.

 

[wanderinstar]

Just tried my group hammock down park[ got some very funny looks from dogwalkers ] Is there anyway to stop hammock closing up round top of you, I fancy being able to see out. Thought about putting sticks across top but thought they may damage fabric. Suppose if you got used to sleeping cocooned in it you wouldnt need a mozzie net. But at the moment ideas to hold it open would be greatly appreciated.
Ian.

 

[lardbloke]

The HH uses elastic cord sewn into the side of the hammock. These can be staked out to pull the sides of the hammock out to allow for more room and supposedly increase stability. The same could be carried out on any hammock, its just finding its centre and stitching them in on either side.

 

[BorderReiver]

You just need to camp in colder places...

Although, having said that, there were a couple of mozzies around up on Skye last month. Damn global warming - I'm gonna have to move to Scandinavia if it keeps up.

In summer the Scandi mozzies are as big as sparrows and as numerous as midges

 

[Povarian]

But at the moment ideas to hold it open would be greatly appreciated.
Ian.

Used with the material doubled keeps it very open when it's warm (use with a net). Opened out, it closes round you when lying along the axis, but I find lying off-axis allows me to have my head end more open, sometimes have to roll the edge under. Vision is then blocked one way and open the other. What sort of mat are you using?

 

[wanderinstar]

Tried it with material doubled, but it seemed very unstable. Felt like it would throw me out at any moment. Am using a closed cell mat.
Ian.

 

[Povarian]

Tried it with material doubled, but it seemed very unstable. Felt like it would throw me out at any moment. Am using a closed cell mat.
Ian.

Can't say I've felt unstable with it doubled - I stuff the mat between the layers that way and lay along the axis. Probably horses for courses there. I'm guessing there's quite a bit of flex in the closed cell mat. I think I'll experiment some more.

 

[MagiKelly]

You should always lie at an angle as it is more comfy and you can see around you more. As you have already been told it means you get a clear view from one side of the hammock only. Of course if you get bored of the view from that side you can just change the angle you are lying at so you are looking out the other side instead.