Just bought a Grand Trunk skeeter beeter ultralight, any tips on using this thing? Can't wait to try it out @ one of our local parks before I hit the trail somewhere. Thanks......

Well, you'll want insulation underneath you.... a pad will work ok.

Make sure it's got enough sag in the hammock body for you to be comfortable and get you and your insulation on a diagonal, so you're not folding up on yourself.

Use tree straps. Poly or polypro stretch once. Nylon keeps stretching until you wonder why you keep waking up with your butt on the ground...

Don't forget a tarp, in case it rains.

Two resources: The Ultimate Hang, a book available on Amazon, is the most concise and thorough beginner resource. The hammock forums - large, sprawling, forum full of hammockers from all over the world - is the most complete but frustrating resource on the net.

go here: Hammock Forums for a wealth of info on hammocking. Honestly, you'll enter a world of TMI which will have your head spinning.

I've got a hammock as well and can't believe all the things you need to consider and all the cordage you'll need to get.

Despite the fact taht there's an almost overwhelming wealth of info available, there's a sub-forum for articles where you can learn all about hammock hanging, ridge lines, tarps, etc. Enjoy!

P.s.: I agree with lori....it is a bit frustrating because there seems to be so many options, and no two folks seem to agree on a single way of doing one thing.

Ditto the other comments and I think a big first step is tuning expectations --- hammock camping is IMO the most complicated thing you can start out to learn in all of backpacking. Less so if you only hike in fairly warm places, but still. Lots of options and variations on things. I'd never heard of the model of hammock that you bought (for example).

The other thing is to think about what you want to optimize. Cost, comfort, simplicity, carried weight, reliably staying dry, reliably staying warm, ability to 'go to ground' in treeless areas ... if you try to optimize all factors at once you might end up pretty frustrated (unless you have a whole lot of money to throw at the problem perhaps).

Figuring out your own personal preferences on some things will certainly help. Optimal length of hammock, entry/exit method, setup option preferences, whether you can comfortably sleep with your underneath-insulation inside the hammock (blue foam pad or whatever) --- etc etc.

Don't mean to be discouraging, but if you go into this expecting there to be a lot to figure out, perhaps you'll be happier in the long run.

I agree, it's not an easy first step to figure out - but maybe, on the plus side, there aren't all those preconceived "truths" to unlearn...

Welcome to the club of human burritos.

There are dozens, more like hundreds of how to videos on YouTube. Shug Emery has a bunch for year round hammocking (including real winter). His are funny and informative and he shows how to use all the hammock gadgets like the little clips and so on you can get to make things easier. I recommend them to anyone with the least bit of interest in hammocking.