The 12' tarp will cause that. You have an extra 6" on each side of the tarp over an 11' that will interfere with the hammock straps, forcing you to hang the tarp higher with that 30° angle to clear them. To get better side coverage, you'll need to have a wider tarp...which the the HG DCF Hex and Standard with doors is like 102" vs the Palace at 124" or back it down to an 11' tarp so you can lower it.Originally Posted by Aaronbagby
I'm guessing in cmoulder's pic it's an 11' tarp.
Yeah exactly. I don’t want to sacrifice any of the length coverage, so I’m gonna sell this tarp and jump up to the Palace for sure. I can’t post in the For Sale forums just yet, been here for years but not very active! Thanks for the tips. With any luck, this will keep me dry enough to finish this next 10-12 day stretch in SW Virginia till I can get home and make the jump. Some rain is inbound for a few days, but I think it’ll be mostly fair afterward.
I have the Standard with and without doors and have weathered four days of nearly non-stop deluge on the Laurel Highlands trail without problem.
I use split RLs that run parallel to and nearly touching the hammock straps, allowing the tarp to nearly sit on the hammocks SRL. For some strange reason, many folks feel the need to have the tarp pitched level above the hammock. I am always pitched on an angle following the hammock, foot side higher and with the tarp ridge tie out almost touching the tree straps at both ends. It helps with shedding water, keeps things low and tight, less windy and more 'greenhoused' at the head end. Most often pitch with a double porch mode at the foot end which is where I always enter and exit.
I am more about the time on the trail than in camp and though I like a nice view, my hammock is for sleeping, not lounging.
Yes, my pack weighs 70lbs, but it's all light weight gear....
Bob's brother-in-law
Here's how I've been able to get better side coverage with my 12' HG Dyneema tarp w/doors:
When you hang the tarp, hang it just high enough to almost touch the hammock suspension, but leave it loose along the ridgeline- so it creates a "U" shape. Everything will tighten up when you stake out the sides, but it will essentially pull the ridgeline lower so you can get the tarp as low as the RL of the hammock. You won't have a flat ridgeline, but you'll be able to keep the tarp off your hammock suspension, while lowering the body of the tarp- giving you better side coverage.
My hammock will hang from the Tarp suspension. Tarp is always set just above the hammock's SRL. No fuss no muss.
Signature suspended
Sorry, just getting back to this thread...
Yes, my earlier pic and many others in my gallery are of the 11' hex. I just love that darn thing.
However, you can still get a fairly low pitch with a 12'. You mentioned the Palace, and I have the 12' Palace for winter... With 12' tarps there will be some contact between suspension and tarp but I have not found it to be problematic. One-piece tarp RL with tarp suspended is key IMO.
As you can see in this pic, the 12' Palace can still be pitched low to the SRL:
Five Basic Principles of Going Lighter (not me... the great Cam Honan of OZ)
“If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.” ~ Gen. George S Patton
This is exactly how I hang the 11' tarps as well. Avoid tensioning the ridge line more than needed to get the tarp to hand in a u-shape following the straps and hammock RL. Again, I pitch my tarp on the same angle that the hammock hangs. Roughly tension the ground lines and put the final tweek using the ridge line tie outs.
Yes, my pack weighs 70lbs, but it's all light weight gear....
Bob's brother-in-law
Ive used that tarp for half the AT and the LT. I've hung in some serious thunderstorms. I never got wet. My UQ got a little damp a couple of times, but not significantly so.
Adam at HG told me "hammock camping is tarp camping." One has to be hyper aware of weather. Know what direction the wind is coming from, how that will change overnight, and pick trees that will present the most tarp in that direction. Pitch the tarp right over your hammock's ridgeline, and stake the sides down close.
Enjoy your hike, and gaining the experience that will allow you to stay comfortable and dry!
Bookmarks