How To Set Up a Camping Hammock

Hammocks afford a comfortable snooze either under a shade out on a sunny day, or under the stars while enjoying the night breeze. Since it is lightweight and can be easily set up, hammocks make a great camping amenity. After a tiring day of hiking or gathering firewood, you can easily hang it and it’s ready for a camper’s refuge.

Here are a few tips on how you can properly set up a camping hammock:

• Scan the camping grounds for two trees that have ample distance apart to accommodate your hammock. Fully spread out your hammock on the ground and measure it. The distance of the two trees you selected should be at least the length of your hammock when laid straight flat. See if they are sturdy enough. Some trees may appear good, but it may not be firmly rooted to the ground.
• Select trees that have large tree trunks, especially if they are soft wood. For hardwood trees such as oak, aspen or apple, a four-inch diameter trunk will be sufficient.
• Hold up one end of your hammock rope or straps and tie one end to a tree at a height which you’d be comfortable with when you’re to occupy the hammock. Tie the rope or straps by wrapping it around the tree trunk, then looping it through the hammock’s hanging ring. After that, wrap the cord around the tree once more, but now in the opposite direction. Repeat several times.
• If you can, use flat webbing instead of round ropes for your hammock to avoid tree damage.
• To secure the remaining rope, use several half-hitch knots. You can make half-hitch knots by crossing the short end of the remaining rope under the long end. Bring it forward and through the loop you’ve created, pull downward to properly cinch the rope.
• For the other end of the hammock, repeat the knotting process so that both ends are securely tied. To increase the hammock’s balance and stability, leave some slack in the fabric before tying the knots.
• To test out your hammock, sit on the center. See if it can hold your weight. If it sags all the way to the ground, then you should retry setting it up. Adjust the rope tightness if necessary.
• In stormy weather or high wind, make sure all lines are tightened.
• You may want to place an egg crate mattress or a piece of foam on the hammock’s bottom. Hammocks tend to swallow you in, the fabric or rope gets you walled in, the foam or mattress will help alleviate this problem.
• Simply set your sleeping bag on top of the mattress or foam bedding, and your hammock is ready.

Now with this little know-how, you can pack in a hammock for your next trip. Camping hammocks can be stashed in your backpack and doesn’t eat up space in your bag or car. This portable makeshift bed will definitely give you the much deserved rest a camper needs.