Don't need no stinkin' buckles! You know yer knots!

What I do, usually in the late evening or dark ........
1. Find a couple trees 12-15 feet apart. or any suitable support including barn rafters and truck mirrors. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
2. Drop pack and remove hammock, draping the hammock over my shoulders to keep it off the ground. I'm holding my coin cell led light in my teeth.
3. Wrap hammock rope around tree trunk twice, loosely, and tie off with a loose clove hitch around the tree (temporary knot). I don't mess with "tree huggers" and such.
4. Do the same on second tree, keeping the hammock centered, and adjusting the clove hitches accordingly. The ridge line is straight, but not "tight".
5. Once the hammock is centered, pull tag end of rope from clove hitch and secure with two half hitches. None of this needs to be tight.
6. Sit in the hammock to stretch things out. You'll get it right the first time with a little practice.
7. If rain is expected, clip on the fly and guy it out, steep and taught.
8. Throw in pad and bag. I usually hang my compass, coin cell light, neck lanyard, and glasses on the ridge line.

Sit in the hammock. Shoes off just below the entry slit (in a Hennessey), next to my water platy bag. Pack is within easy reach under hammock (i can usually mess with the pack without leaving the hammock). Lay back, remove whatever clothing you want and hang over ridge line or stuff into the ends of the hammock. Yeah, clothing takes some "rodeo" practice but its no big deal. Situate pad and cuddle up under the bag/quilt. Sleep.
I can usually do all the above in under 5 minutes!

Tim's right, everybody has their own preferences. Never met a hammock I didn't like, though.

Regarding the expense of these hammock things.....make the one I described in an earlier post. Should cost under $20 and works just fine.


My Hennesey is on the right. My friends Walmart net hammock is on the left. Thats about as 'busy' as camp gets. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />