The Hammock Hut: a Easy to Make Hammock Rain-fly

by fidgety2 in Outside > Camping

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The Hammock Hut: a Easy to Make Hammock Rain-fly

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hammocks are great alternatives to tents. but what do you do when it rains

answer. the hammock hut a easy portable cost effective hammock rain fly

it takes about 10-15 minutes to set up and can be made using easily available materials (the only exception being the hammock itself also this is my entry into the epilog contest so please don't forget to vote!!

Step 1; Gather Your Equipment

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for a successful hammock-based camping trip one must have some the following equipment but before I begin please remember that this Instructable is NOT about how to pack for a camping/backpacking trip but about how to use a hammock instead of a tent while camping/backpacking. Now moving on here is what you need...

1. a hammock and not the kind you have in your back yard (unless you are like me) you should have an actual backpacking hammock Eno and Hennessy make really nice ones which vary in price from $20 to $100+ they also sell very useful accessories which I will get to later I personally own a Eno single nest hammock which I consider to be one of the best camping related purchases I have ever made it cost me $54.00 (not including tax) and was purchased at REI (Recreational Equipment Incorporated)

2. A single large tarp this tarp must be as long as your hammock and also be able to touch the ground while draped over your hammock (see pictures) this tarp should be (like all other tarps) water proof.

3. a SINGLE tent pole yes only one this tent pole will serve as a support for your tarp. also you can use a piece of rope or string.

4. environmentally friendly hammock straps such as the Eno slapstrap these straps are very wide so that they do not harm trees by damaging the bark also these straps are very important since some national forests/parks will not allow you to hang a hammock without the proper equipment.
this is my green component

5. finally you need tent stakes to keep the tarp from blowing around in the wind the only advice I can offer in this area is the lighter the stakes the better (I used sticks).

Setting Everything Up Part 1, the Hammock

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inorder to set up your hammock you must first find two trees of reasonable distance apart reasonable distance being 10 to 12 feet depending upon you hammock once you have found a appropriate spot follow these steps.....

1. set up your webbing this is very easy especially if you have looped webbing like me all you have to do is follow the picture.

2. tie your extension ropes to the webbing depending upon what type of hammock you have the length of the ropes may have to vary from mine.

3. tie a loop knot (see picture) at the end of each extension rope and hook your hammock's caribeners into it if your hammock comes with them if not just tie your hammock to the extension rope.

you are now done setting up the actual hammock proceed to the next step.

Setting Everything Up Part 2, Rain Fly and Tent Pole/rope

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OK after you have set up your hammock take your tent pole or rope and tie it between the two trees that your hammock is strung between (also make sure the tent pole/rope is high enough for comfort) since I can't find my tent I am going to use rope in this instance. for a detailed picture of the tarp rope and tent pole please look below...

Setting Everthing Up Part 3; the Tarp

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the tarp as stated previously should be of appropriate length and width now all you want to do with the tarp is spread it equally (look at picture to see what I mean) over the tent pole/tarp line and stake it down (easy enough for you?)

then your done enjoy!!! :)