Campers and backpackers have traditionally used tents as their primary form of overnight accommodation. The little hammock, nonetheless, is a seductive substitute that is becoming more and more well-liked. It might be time to try camping in a hammock if you've loved lounging in one. What is hammock camping? and the equipment you'll need to know how to set up a camping hammock in this article.
What Is Camping In A Hammock?
When you go hammock camping, you simply replace your standard tent with a hammock and a few practical extras so you can spend the night outside in comfort. Due to its lightweight nature and small pack size, hammock camping is a favorite activity among many bikebackers and backpackers. Additionally, hammock campers benefit from a better vantage position and avoid the discomfort of sleeping on rough or slanted ground.
How to Set Up Camping Hammock
Except when you're lying in a hammock under the stars and being softly rocked to sleep! There isn't a single better method to improve your camping experience than with a camping hammock.
So how does hammock camping actually work? Continue reading to discover the truth about hammock camping and common myths about it!
The rain tarp, insect netting, and/or underquilt are optional, but it's great to have them on hand in case the weather calls for them. Additionally, although these (and other) attachments frequently work with a variety of hammock brands and models, if you are assembling your own hammock-camping setup, you'll need to double-check compatibility. And here are some steps on how to set up a camping hammock you should know.
Locate a good spot
The first step on the list of how to set up a camping hammock is locating a good spot. When you arrive at your campsite, perform a site inspection and look around to see whether there are any trees. When choosing a spot for your hammock, keep an eye out for shade, sunshine, and open ground.
You require strong trees that can support your weight. Avoid using saplings or dead trees because they will likely shatter under any weight, regardless of how light you are. The ideal tree's trunk is robust enough to prevent you from entirely encircling it with your hands.
Additionally, spend some time looking up above for any dead branches. One may break off if the wind picks up and falls upon your comfortable hammock.
10 to 16 feet between trees is the ideal distance for a successful setup. Your hammock should ideally dangle around a foot and a half from the ground. Don't hang your hammock higher than you're willing to tumble, as a general guideline.
Your hammock can dangle four feet off the ground at the most, but that's pushing it. Choose a size that is between 18 and 36 inches, and you should feel comfortable.
Plan early
Set up as soon as possible before it becomes dark! It's not enjoyable to search for all of your gear and tie your knots in the dark. So that you can unwind once you're exhausted and the sun sets, it's far more fun to set up early in the day.
Suspension
Suspension is the next step on the list of how to set up a camping hammock. The most straightforward method of suspending a hammock when camping is most likely with tree straps. Additionally, straps aid in shielding tree bark from harm. Make sure the tree straps are placed at the same height on both trees before using them.
Additionally, ensure your suspension has adequate slack and is angled downward at a 30-degree angle from the ground to the anchor (tree strap). By doing this, excessive strain that may otherwise turn the hammock taught and simple to flip over would be avoided. This angle will also prevent your weight when you climb in from exerting too much effort on the suspension.
Your hammock will have a deep sag and a lower center of gravity when strung at a 30-degree angle, which will make it simple to get in and out of and more pleasant to sleep in.
However, there are other methods to hang your hammock, including using rope, straps, or hanging hardware.
Tar package
You should also erect a hammock tarp if there is a danger of rain. Keep in mind that the hammock ridgeline suspension should be lower than the tarp ridgeline.
The tarp will move with the hammock when you move, so you shouldn't place it on the suspension of your hammock. Instead, as you enter and exit your hammock, this will keep you covered and safe from the rain.
Use a diamond tarp for light protection or a four-season tarp with door flaps for increased weather resistance.
Advice for achieving proper fly tension
To set up the sleeping hammock in rainy weather without getting the hammock wet, tie the fly individually to each tree first. This indicates that when weight is applied to the hammock, the rainfly does not fall and the fly tension is not loosened as a result. Another novel technique is to knot the cord at one end of the fly, pass it around the tree and back through the same ring, pass the cord through the ring at the other end of the fly, go all the way around the tree, and then pass the cord back through the ring at the other end.
This does three things: it maintains the fly's tautness, gets rid of the fly's top wrinkles, and aids in preventing water buildup in those creases. Another excellent advice is to put a weight at the corners of each side of the rainfly and tie the side tie outs as far out as you can, either to the ground or to shrubs or trees. The weight will automatically lower the fly for storm conditions and keep the same tension of the rainfly when it is wet, as opposed to being slack and sagging.
Conclusion
In order to prevent mildew, mold, or color bleeding, dry and repack wet clothing when camping. Hand wash with a light detergent, rinse in warm water, and let air dry to clean. After each usage, check for damage. Children under the age of 12 must be closely watched. In the camping hammock, avoid cooking, smoking, and starting fires. Hope above information on how to set up a camping tent will be useful for you.
