Get thee to a group hang.
Lots of friendly people who will get a buzz out of helping a new entrant to the journey.
It looks to me like the trees may be too close together. But it’s difficult to tell from the pictures.
The first few times I set up my hammock, I took a tape measure and tried to duplicate what the hammock hang calculator told me. It got me close to the 30Deg and a comfortable but not perfect sag in the hammock.
Recently I found out my smart phone has a built in level app. That helps with the tweaking of the height of where the tree straps wrap around the tree to get that 30Deg angle. Without a level app, Shug’s post about the thumb and index finger will get you very close to 30Deg.
It took me quite a few hangs (well over 20 set ups) to get closer to what I think fits me.
In addition to the above suggestions, you should also watch the video Warbonnet put out regarding the setup of the BlackBird hammock, but it is applicable to all other hammocks as well (less the shelf part). Following his instructions, I was able to dial in my most comfortable lay. All are different so whatever works for you, works for you!
As the newest of the hammock newbies, I had trouble with the hang, too, right off. My family would say I’m a gearnut. So, after the first hang, naturally, I bought Dutch’s “hangle” , which is a little level that weighs maybe an ounce, or less. It is set on a 30 degree angle. I thought I wouldn’t use it, really, but on the last 4 hangs, both for my wife’s chameleon and mine, I have checked my initial estimate of 30*, and, in the beginning, I was way off. But, the last trip a few weeks ago, I was close enough both times that I changed nothing when I double checked with the hangle. I would recommend the hangle until you get to where you don’t need it. Also, you will find that Shug’s YouTube videos are the absolute best source of everything hammock.
I never tried a hangle - just went with aiming my index finger like a gun (thumb straight up) and that's usually a 30* angle.
"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Angle, schmangle! There are many variables that make up a comfortable lay that, IMHO, the 30 degree rule is way overblown.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
I do agree that it is one of the analysis-paralysis issues. It isn't nearly as critical as I was led to believe in my early experiences with hammocks. Ballpark is nearly always good enough. That's why the superior beings that rule the universe came up with structural ridge lines.
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
Bookmarks