Saturday, November 24, 2007

Thinking of Camping? Try a Hammock!

When you're learning about something new, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of relevant information available. This informative article should help you focus on the central points.

Have you ever considered using a hammock as an alternative to the traditional tent? Many others have! Hammocks are becoming quite popular not only for backpackers but also for the common camper. These people are often referred to as "treehangers." With a little practice, common sense and preparation, a hammock can be used in just about any type of weather - rain, cold, high winds, etc. Rain flies, hand warmers, and netting keep you out of the elements, toasty warm and away from the nagging bugs.


There are many advantages of using a hammock when camping, such as:

  • lightweight and are more affordable than a tent in general.

  • easy to set up and take down.

  • can be used in just about any type of landscape.

  • extremely comfortable.

In addition to a good nights sleep, camping hammocks also provide a great place to relax when hanging out around camp, however there are a few important points that you should keep in mind:

Look out for dead trees. Always be sure that you evaluate the integrity of the trees you are planning to tie your hammock to. Be sure they are sturdy and will not collapse when put under stress.

Examine your ropes for wear. A damaged rope weakens your hammocks performance and can easily break with your weight. Wrap your ropes around trees at least twice before tying your knots. This will reduce the wear on your ropes and also protect the trees.


Tying good knots is essential when using hammocks, there are 3 the most important knots, which are:

The bowline knot. A bowline knot is a strong, solid knot and should be used to tie the ropes around the trees that support your weight.

Taut-line hitch knot.Use the taut-line hitch for your rain flies.

The fisherman's knot.The fisherman's knot is used to attach ropes together for extension purposes.

Note: Rain fly ropes should NOT be used to support your weight in the hammock.

Spend some time practicing these knots and you shouldn't have any problems hanging your hammock correctly and safely.


So far, we've uncovered some interesting facts about camping with hammock. You may decide that the following information is even more interesting.



The way that the hammock conforms to your body’s natural shape and the fact that your body's weight is so evenly distributed gives you a feeling of weightlessness.
Hammocks are a great alternative when camping and are a wonderful addition for backyard enjoyment. The benefits are definitely worth your consideration!

The day will come when you can use something you read about here to have a beneficial impact. Then you'll be glad you took the time to learn more about camping hammock.

PS: DO you know among all kind of hammocks, which one is the most comfortable hammock?


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