well, first time out was sort of a success....

**Double E** · 07-07-2020, 11:19

I have gotten my hammock kit together. I walked in, chose a beautiful place right next to a creek and got everything set up. the trees were a little close. It's a rookie mistake. I figure I'm allowed. My 11 foot hammock fit nicely, but the 9x9 tarp wouldn't go on the diagonal. I had been playing with it at the house and had it set to deploy square. We weren't expecting rain so I left it in the snake skins.

The weather guessers were as correct as usual. the sky got dark quickly and it started to sprinkle. I deployed the tarp quickly, and it didn't cover. I grabbed the foot end of the hammock took the whoopie off and tied a sheep bend about a foot or so back. The tarp now had a couple of inches to spare on both ends after adjusting. I reset the ridge line and enjoyed the rest of the storm protected. I decided not to trust the weather guessers again and I didn't feel like moving so I left it that way. I slept well and enjoyed the trip.

I have pictures on my phone, but I haven't figured out how to get them uploaded. I had issues with the bug net. It worked, but it was fussy. I have made some modifications. It should work better now.

**BillyBob58** · 07-07-2020, 11:25

Good for you, congrats on your first hang in the woods!

**cougarmeat** · 07-07-2020, 11:51

Great adaptation to adversity. You’ve learned why I no longer use whoopie slings.

If I were to make a DIY tarp, I might have, in addition to ridge line connections on the ends, a ridge line connection at a distance just a tad over the length of the hung hammock. I’d also put a set of edge guy line tie outs about the same point. That way, if I’m in a situation where there’s just room for the hammock, but not the usual tarp connections, I could “reef” it in by using those extra connection points.

There are non-destructive tarp grabbers that might do the same thing in a … wait for it … pinch.

I’ve pointed out to friends that it seems 90% of the content of the evening TV weather report is telling you what already happened.They’ll say, “The temperature was 72 today.” and you’ll think, “It WAS 72 today; those guys are geniuses.” Other times they’ll say there will be a light rain, and it doesn’t happen. And they’ll repeat that forecast the next day and maybe the day after that. Then, finally, there’s a light rain and my friends will say, “They predicted that; they must be geniuses.”