Hanging out in the back yard

[VABob]

Today I tested a ridge line for my hammock. I bought 5 millimeter line made of a kevlar like material that doesn't stretch can hold 3000lbs from REI. The hammock gets clipped into the ridge line using prussic knots so I can adjust they lay of the hammock while the ridge line holds most of the tension.

Problem was I don't have enough trees in my back yard to test the hammock rigging. But, I had a part of a drain pipe laying around, so I tried the one-pole-as-bridge trick to span a large distance between two trees. Worked like a charm:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hYO8yHSAl_c/S7klNUxelNI/AAAAAAAALKA/WcktqVjDjPI/s640/2010-04-04%2017.37.02.jpg

After some testing, I decided to string a couple of tie out lines. The pole was very slick, so I ended up wraping the pipe with extra tie out line before attaching the lines. I used aluminum yard stakes bought at Home Depot for a few bucks. Here is the result:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hYO8yHSAl_c/S7kk43EdLqI/AAAAAAAALJ4/a2CMlfZbuso/s640/2010-04-04%2018.38.17.jpg

Here is the view from inside:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hYO8yHSAl_c/S7klE7BgftI/AAAAAAAALKA/YVcHSdvW3KE/s640/2010-04-04%2018.39.15.jpg

P^

-Bob

[Mr. Guy]

Hi Bob,

In the past I've always tied my ridge line separate from my hammock, that way my swinging in the hammock wouldn't affect my tarp. I sometimes tie a second small gear hammock from my ridge line to hold things I want at hand like my flashlight, my shoes to keep them off the ground, etc. Of course, if rain isn't threatening, I don't put up the tarp.

Guy

[Liv2Ride]

Wow Bob. Interesting to say the least. Prusiks to hold the hammock that is. You sure like hanging low don't you? I prefer hanging as high as my short legs will allow. Just curious why didn't you go with Amsteel and and why not a whoopie sling? I'm a newbie to hanging but let me tell you that I may at some point be an exclusive hanger versus a tent dweller. To early to tell but I'm lovin it so far. I'll be hanging from my Hennessy UL Backpacker this weekend at a campout and I can't wait. I'm converting my stock HH suspension to whoopie slings today so getting it airborne and making adjustments will be even easier than it was.

[Liv2Ride]

Hey Bob. Too funny. Large load. I believe that everyone over 50 lb's stretches the hammock. It appears that you are as impatient as I am when it comes to putting your ideas into reality.
I bought ready made whoopie slings from WhoopieSlings.com. Kris makes them to order and he made mine for the Hennessy conversion overnight and shipped them out to me the following morning. He is totally awesome. He doesn't sell lengths of Amsteel for DIY projects but I know that you can buy as much as you like from Arrowhead Equipment. They are the makers of the Kick Ass Quilts (KAQ) and sell the 1/8 and the 7/64 size for DIY's.
I've not read anywhere that the whoopie slings slip but I suppose that #1 if they are made wrong or #2 if they are worn out they could. I don't expect mine to slip since I know that Kris made them. I'll let you know how much I love them after the weekend hang.
The best place that I've experienced for learning about hammocks is the Hammock Forum. Tons of experience and tons of nice folks willing to share their knowledge. I highly recommend the site.

[Mr. Guy]

Okay Bob, now I get it. You and Liv2ride have done a lot more research on this than I have. I've been hammock camping for years, but I always just found a couple of trees the right distance apart, hung my hammock and climbed in. The ridge line like that gives way more freedom in tree placement. I'll have to give that a try SOON.

Always learning new tricks, I love that about this place.

Guy

[Mr. Guy]

LOL I had a backpack friend who always joked about his humping around 80#s of High Speed, Lightwieght Gear. Never could seem to get rid of the stuff he really didn't need.

Guy

[Mr. Guy]

Nice job Bob, but every time you do this, I have to go get my hammock out and try it too. Your causing me a lot of work I hope you know. P^ :D

Take care, Guy

[George]

Youse guys have a lot more fun hanging out in the back yard than I do. These are from today, expanding the patio.
2903 2904 2905

[Mr. Guy]

Say, where is Dan Quail these days anyway? :D

Guy

[George]

Here's the latest I could find on Dan, 2 years ago. And only a quote, nothing really new. (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/13/opinion/13cohen.html?_r=1) I presume he's retired somewhere in Southern Indiana.

Here's a little more to-the-point, "hanging out in the back yard." Patio took 3 and a half days from start to finish, including all the clean up and putting tools away. ~$800 for a 12 x12 pad, Italian Travertine.

2929 2930 2931 2932 2933

[Whosoever]

Bob you've been on "sabatical" too long....you have too much time on your hands! :D:D