Hammock Camping

[Stan Wright]

Yes, I know… NO Camping at the lake.
30 years ago Boy Scout Island was a show place… a manicured park with a Scout Troop camping there almost every weekend… Sad.
Our troop was just turned down again this year… couldn't even camp in the park. (the master design plan calls for hiking trails and campsites.) Oh Well.

Anyway, in my old age I find it more and more difficult to camp in a tent on the ground… even with my Therm-a-rest self inflating mattress. So I started experimenting with hammocks. The more I try it, the more I like it.
It's amazing how much you can learn from watching YouTube videos.

One thing I don't have in my yard, (or at most beach parks where the Scouts camp) are convenient trees to tie up to. So I researched Hammock Stands and found this little number I could build myself. Works like a charm.

Two tripods with a 13 foot pole suspended between them, then the hammock tied to the pole.


3 - 6 foot 2x2s… a 6" gate hinge… some ¼" bolts. That's white para cord attaching the pole to the tripod. The pole is the top rail of a chain-link-fence… 2, 6½ foot sections that slide together. Tie the hammock (black cord) to the pole, that way the force is straight down on the tripod… not trying to tip them together when you get into the hammock. LOL


The pole makes a nice ridge line too. It was sunny so I decided to put up this cheep 8x10 blue tarp. An hour later it started gaining … after 3 days of rain, everything was still nice and dry.


Notice the 8x10 tarp is in a diamond configuration and covers both ends of the hammock suspension system. I drilled a hole 2 feet up from the bottom of each leg and tied them together with some para cord… just to make sure they don't slide out and collapse. This is definatly a set up for back yards with no trees, or for "car camping".. LOL, not for back packing. If I was back packing, I'd hike in areas with lots of trees.
LOL

[Ahnkochee]

Looks pretty awesome Stan. You can always camp out at Peacock Flats and if during bird season pop some dinner with a 12 gauge. I have a hammock loosely based on the WWII Jungle Hammock which includes a waterproof roof which I have been dying to try somewhere in the woods. My dad used the same type in the jungles of New Guinea, and the Philippines during WWII, would love to try in in homage to dad.

After 4 back surgeries on lower back none of which were successful I can't sleep on a regular flat bed anymore without excruciating pain with 15 minutes, so the past several years I have been sleeping in my enclosed lanai on a net mesh hammock that my dad made over 30 years ago, the natural curve keeps the circulation open, and nerves from pinching. I also place a large pillow under my knees which also helps. I can get 5 hours of sleep easy this way which beats 15 minutes.

I have belonged to the Bushcraft USA forum for several years now, great place to learn how to hang a hammock in the woods besides other outdoor stuff.

[Stan Wright]

There are also studies that say sleeping in a hammock is good for your heart and relieves stress… the slight swaying motion also promotes deeper more restful sleep. Or so the studies say. I just find it more comfortable than sleeping on the ground or on a camp cot. LOL

Mine is a:
"Mosquito FREE Hammock Bliss" I got from Campmore.com for $59.99. FREE shipping. I wanted one with a mosquito net and a weight limit of 300 pounds.
There are cheeper ones and there are some a lot more expensive.

[Ahnkochee]

Mine is similar to the type below that my dad used in the SW Pacific during WWII. I like the mosquito net.

http://www.amazon.com/Texsport-Wilderne ... W8Y6XP6H7D