Hammocks and rucksacks

[bigmul]

Hello hammock users....

As a ground dweller I set my tarp up to ensure that anything on the ground around me doesn't get wet should it rain.

Whilst looking at the Hennesey Hammocks and their specific tarps, it doesn't look like anything under the hammock would stay dry in a downpour. So my question is, how do you keep your kit dry?

[Shewie]

Thats one advantage of being a ground dweller in that the rest of your kit will stay pretty dry under the tarp. A conventional square or rectangular tarp can be pitched with one side down to the ground when using a hammock so would offer some protection.
I prefer to hang my pack with a karabiner from a piece of paracord tied round the tree, then use a pack cover to shed off the rain if it's so bad.
If pitched well a 3x3 tarp can offer plenty of dry space underneath though.

The Hennessy standard fly is a bit small so look at upgrading to the bigger hex fly.

[bigmul]

Thanks for the info - makes sense about the pack cover!

I don't have a hammock (yet?) but had been considering it as others have told me that it's like a second (or first ;-) ) love to them.

I use a 3x3 tarp at the moment for me and my son and there's plenty of (dry) space under it for us and our kit so was just wondering how you guys kept everything dry.

Ta

[Traper]

I use a small netted hammock hanged above main one. I put most of stuff there. Easy access and everything stays dry. And I put my rucksack on tripod made from sticks.

[sapper1]

I use a 4x3 tarp over my hammock.I put my boots upside down on sticks driven into the ground and my rucksack sits on a couple of layers of syicks to keep it of the ground.There is room for 4-5 people to sit comfortably under the tarp .

[SimonM]

I rig an extra line under the tarp and hang my gear off that, or if in one place for any length of time use a net hammock for my gear.

I ditched my HH asym fly after the first outing - horizontal rain is no fun under that thing! I now use either a DD 3m x 3m light weight tarp or a Tatonka 4.5m x 4.5m polycotton for meets and such.

Simon

[bigmul]

I fancy giving a hammock a go, but then the boy would want one too - it gets expensive when you keep having to buy 2 of everything!

[jonnno]

I fancy giving a hammock a go, but then the boy would want one too - it gets expensive when you keep having to buy 2 of everything!

I have that problem. Then he tries whatever it is once and decides he doesn't like it :)

[bigmul]

I know that well! He wants to give ice hockey a go at the moment - he's only skated 3 times in his life but feels that a pair of £200 boots might be nie to have.... ;-)

[Twodogs]

I use a German army folding roll mat under my hennessey and put my kit at the head end on that ,all items are then under the tarp .
Also gives you somewhere to stand when I get in and out .
Twodogs

[mentalnurse]

i use a cheep plastic tarp (the blue ones) about 6' square it fits under the fly trap gives u somewere to stand and put kit and weighs next to nothing.

[drewdunnrespect]

4.5 times 3.5 riged the right way always works

[swampy99]

This is what I do and at the end of the day once the HH is away in the bergan you still have the net hammock to hang when having a brew break.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t16/mrleemarsh/DSC00194.jpg

[RAPPLEBY2000]

there's a routine i get into when hammocking:

pack away all kit not used in rucksack and hang on tree (exit end of Hennessey) i tie a seperate rope and carabina to hang the rucksack.

most rucksacks will stand up to a fair amount of water being chucked at them, if in doubt use a waterproof liner (inside the bag).
alternatively you can use a rucksack cover.