Using a carabiner to clip directly into a marlin spike hitch.

[Towellie]

Is it safe to tie a marlin spike hitch and use a carabiner to clip directly into it? I have been using a toggle and placing a whoopie behind the knot, however it seems possible for the whoopie to get off the knot and onto the toggle. So I was thinking if I don't try to go behind the knot and just clip right into the hitch with a climbing grade carabiner I can eliminate that possibility. Is this a sound/safe method?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VczGvhmwDGI

[JPsax]

Absolutely. I actually did this before I had whoopies and it held up more than fine. Use a very strong biner so you can sleep easy.

[PapaSmurf]

Another possible way is to slip the loop through the carabiner so that it can't go anywhere.

[ciphoto]

It could only be knocked off while your out of the hammock, when you in it the load keeps it tight. Also now your carrying more stuff. To me the benefit of the MSH is that you don't carry anything extra...

[Tendertoe]

I used this method for quite a while when I had a whoopie setup.

Some folks did bring up the concern for the MSH pulling through and "failing" due to the fact that the same kind of stress is not being applied in this configuration as the traditional MSH setup.

Solution - slippery half hitch with the working end of the webbing behind the MSH just as a safety.

I never needed it, but better safe than sorry.

[JBizzle]

It could only be knocked off while your out of the hammock, when you in it the load keeps it tight. Also now your carrying more stuff. To me the benefit of the MSH is that you don't carry anything extra...

So you have to make sure your, "whoopies are around the knot and not the toggle" each and every time you release the slightest bit of tension off your hammock? What about stepping a foot to the ground to reach something far? What about getting out grabbing socks and sitting back down? Do you have to check that your whoopies are on the knot every single time to ensure you don't bite the...errr dust?

I'm asking because I haven't tried a toggle yet, but I'm considering using a dutch biner to amsteel or the lightest method (but more to fuss with when you have frozen fingers) the soft shackle, for security.

[AaronAlso]

I'm pretty sure the MSH is a non-ceasing, non-slipping knot when tied and loaded correctly. No problem with the biner, just make sure not to let the knot capsize when tying, this can change the knots configuration and result in an overhand noose. The noose can cease against your toggle (biner) and be very difficult to release.

[dragon360]

Another possible way is to slip the loop through the carabiner so that it can't go anywhere.

That's how I use mine.

[Tendertoe]

I'm pretty sure the MSH is a non-ceasing, non-slipping knot when tied and loaded correctly.

If you use the biner simply as a toggle, I agree, just load the whoopie on the knot and not the biner and it will hold fine.

However, when clipping into a climbing-rated carabiner that is in a MSH, you are no longer using the knot as it is intended.

When we start talking about clipping into the biner, the forces are different altogether.

[Two Tents]

I don't understand the problem. Wrap the tree strap around the tree as many times as necessary to eliminate excess tree strap length. Attach biner to the whoopie sling to the tree strap loop and adjust whoopie sling to desired tightness for hammock. The toggle is not needed that way. Where is the MSH even needed doing it as I explained. I'm thinking the MSH is more trouble than it is worth if you have the above components. Am I missing something? Someone? Anyone? Tell me. I used to use a treestrap to descender to whoopie attached to hammock. The tree strap was Dutch clipped at the tree. It never came off the hammock. Now I have replaced the descender ring with a biner so I can remove the tree straps if wet or they have sap on them. This a works for me deal. I'm not trying to convert anyone I just am not getting the MSH hoopla.