Do any shorter folks have trouble hanging their hammocks?

**payo809** · 09-02-2014, 11:25

I am new to hammock camping and have some concerns about my height being an issue in hanging the hammock. I am only 5'6 and was wondering if this will be an issue being able to comfortably reach appropriate hanging heights. Any thoughts? Thanks.

**MAD777** · 09-02-2014, 11:33

This sort of takes care of itself in that you won't need a long 11' hammock at your height. So, a shorter hammock doesn't need to be hung as high.

**gospidey** · 09-02-2014, 11:34

I'm the same height, no worries.
As has been said by others here on this forum, hang as high as you are willing to fall!

**ChrisP** · 09-02-2014, 11:36

My son is 4'8 and hasn't had any problems and I'm only 2" taller than you, again, no problem getting a good hang height.

**dkurfiss** · 09-02-2014, 11:36

At 5'2" I do have issues reaching high enough. I use my walking stick or whatever stick is handy to push the suspension higher up the tree.

**OutandBack** · 09-02-2014, 11:54

If you have a choice always pick the two trees that are closer together.
The farther the tree are apart the higher you have to go.

**pgibson** · 09-02-2014, 12:25

OutandBack nailed it perfectly. The hight you need to hang your straps on the tree is relative to the spacing of the trees, spacing of the trees is dictated by the length of your hammock (pulls in Mad777's comment) add in that the height of the hammock off the ground is relative to how high you want it and nothing else other than your personal comfort to sit in it as a chair (ties in gospiey's comment of no higher than you're ok falling).

I'm about 5'7" and have never thought twice about being able to reach high enough to hang my straps. Once or twice I have slid the straps up the tree like has been mentioned but the trees have to be over 30 feet apart (a quilt long span) for me to need to do that.

Welcome to the forum.

**AaronMB** · 09-02-2014, 14:06

It can be interesting but don't worry much. I'm 5'4" and don't have much trouble with an 11' hammock (no way I can sleep in a 10'). Sticks or a trekking pole can help get straps up a few more inches if needs be.