As far as LNT and trees and all that go, is there a better method? I've heard webbing's better, as is the slap-strap style. And to avoid rope.
As far as LNT and trees and all that go, is there a better method? I've heard webbing's better, as is the slap-strap style. And to avoid rope.
Nobody advocates hanging your hammock using rope around the trees. It can damage the tree. The standard is using 1" and in some cases 1.5" (required in some areas) tree straps. This can be part of your suspension as in adjustable webbing / cinch buckles or you can attach your hammock suspension (i.e. whoopie slings) to the tree straps. The tree straps typically are 6-8' in length but would be much longer if part of the suspension itself (usually more like 12-15'). As you can see from this thread there is a wide variety as to what people like to use with regard to length which will depend on personal preferences, tree diameters and distances between trees.
John aka Suede
My webbing came today. Thirty feet. Yeah, it's a lot, but it was inexpensive. Enough to make a pair for my fiance, too, probably.
What's the smallest diameter tree I should hang my hammock from? I'm 5'8", 140#. What trees should I avoid? Apparently, these are a short list of species in the Catskills and Harriman where I hike: yellow birch, black cherry, red oak, white pine, eastern hemlock, paper birch, spruce and balsam fir.
This is a good practice to have when site selection. An otherwise perfect looking tree may have root damage that doesn't appear in the needles/leaves yet. You don't want the tree to snuggle with you
I buy a set of 2, 12' cargo straps for $6. Remove the cam buckles and cut the straps in half. I sew small loops and use a carabiner(need Dutch clips soon).
That gives me 4, ~6' straps.
I use 2 for my tarp(double as extra for hammock) and 2 for my hammock. MSH (marlin spike hitch) close to the tree to avoid any possible stretch in the straps and attach my whoppies to the MSH.
No problems in more than 3 years (around 50 hangs in all weather but snow, 25*-85* lows, 95*+ daytime highs)on the original straps yet with only a little wear.
Enjoy and have fun with your family, before they have fun without you
Surprised no one has mentioned this. I know others do it.
I kicked this around and decided the way to go was, to just make One of the straps four feet longer than the other.
I have yet to get myself into a situation where both trees were too large in diameter for my straps.
Yet
Signature suspended
So if you figure using two 10' straps and use 3' each for around the tree, that leaves you with 14' plus an average 10' hammock leave you with a 24' spread.
shorten that up a few ft for the angles and I'm thinking you will have a 20' spread with two 10 footers. and a 10' hammock.
I think it depends a lot on where you know your going to hang. If you live in the Northwest, or cali,,where you have sequoias, and redwoods,, or if your going to stomp around in so called virgin timbered areas of which we don't have a lot of,,go long straps. I gave up carrying straps and the guess work,,now using Dutch straps, buckles, and couple of pieces of 4' amsteel with fixed loop ends for backup,,and that's it, I still own 8', 6', 4', and 3' tree straps, and leave them at home. And still have strap left over from my setup and have had to had help getting them around a big tree as I couldn't reach all the way around it by myself..do what you feel works for you, where you think you will hang,,and how big you think the trees are going to be..for me,,I have hung around 4" trees before and it works fine. Pack your pack,,and hang your hang, and enjoy!
+1. I use 4' tree straps and 5' whoopies, that work just about anywhere in the east. Just don't need any more length than these.
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