If you're scared of coyotes, wolves, or six headed poisonous dragons then try this...

**Refreshing** · 11-08-2013, 16:39

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The History

"I will eventually end up dying from this" is what I told myself when I realized that every hammock trip into the tree canopy had to be higher and crazier than the last one (mostly because I wanted to further impress all of my friends on Hammock Forums

). So instead of going higher and crazier on this trip I decided to find a way to safely camp in the canopy without the need for 15lbs of climbing gear.

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The Problem:

I am a cyclist who loves to travel ultralight and ride into the forest for some overnight action. The problem is I am a sissy. My last trip I tried being a ground dweller to save on weight. After a sleepless night of listening to some evil creature's screams I vowed to never again sleep on the ground.

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The Solution:

Here are four short videos from a last minute overnighter. I tossed some gear in a backpack, grabbed my cx bike, and hammerred out of town on a local MTB trail with one powerbar, a bag of potato chips, and a bottle of water. Temperatures were just below freezing.

Click -> Video 1 - my hammock

Click -> Video 2 - what makes a light & safe hammock

Click -> Video 3 - the ladder (a.k.a. etrier or aider)

Click -> Video 4 - me using a single ladder

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I hope you guys enjoyed my story. If you are interrested in finding out more about how to make your own ladders and what is required to make a hammock fail proof then let me know.

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**The Old Boot** · 11-08-2013, 16:58

Nice ladder, I'll stick to 'just above the ground dwelling'

I don't like falling from a standing position let alone higher than my head. Besides, getting up several times a night and having to do the ladder thing to go for a pottie break just won't cut it!!

**Refreshing** · 11-08-2013, 17:13

Originally Posted by The Old Boot

Nice ladder, I'll stick to 'just above the ground dwelling'

I don't like falling from a standing position let alone higher than my head. Besides, getting up several times a night and having to do the ladder thing to go for a pottie break just won't cut it!!

Haha, I am psyched to hear that I am not the only one who pees multiple times a night.

**MOWOGO '72** · 11-08-2013, 17:28

The problem is I am a sissy.

You risk your very being for a restful sleep.
Sissy? I think not!

By the way, bears are some of the best tree climbers in the world. Just sayin.

**nothermark** · 11-08-2013, 19:00

very interesting! I like your new setup. Just watch that first step. ;-)

**grizzly outdoors** · 11-08-2013, 19:32

Nice setup do you have a video showing the setup

**Refreshing** · 11-08-2013, 22:34

Originally Posted by MOWOGO '72

By the way, bears are some of the best tree climbers in the world. Just sayin.

*covers both ears*

**Refreshing** · 11-08-2013, 22:39

Originally Posted by nothermark

I like your new setup.

Thanks! I don't even know what to do with all of the extra room in my backpack. Maybe I will bring a whole watermelon so I can indulge in the fresh deliciousness while hanging.

Originally Posted by grizzly outdoors

Nice setup do you have a video showing the setup

You mean other than the four videos in the original post? I do not. What are you interested in seeing?

**Gqgeek81** · 11-08-2013, 23:02

Doesn't look higher than a moose, or a direwolf.

**APRock** · 11-09-2013, 12:05

The only real criticism I have is that the vids are WAY TOO SHORT! We DIY gear junkies want to see "start to finish". Bolt of cloth, spools of thread, hank of rope, to finished product. How else are we supposed to copy it???!