Camping is always exciting! Be it the thrills of exploring or relaxing to take your mind off things, it is a definite thing to add to your to-do list. It’s always a pleasure to spend some time with nature. Hammock camping may be an estranged word to few of the beginners out there. In reality, it isn’t that much hard to learn. If you are wondering – what is camping hammock, then read on to find more!

Campers have been favoring the use of camping hammocks a lot more in the recent years – you know, the sling made of ropes suspended between two trees – rather than opting for conventional tents. Yeah, that pretty much explains the basic idea of hammock camping in a single sentence! Hammocks over tents!

Now you may wonder why campers switched to hammocks. The fact that they are cheaper and light weight makes them affordable and easier to carry long distances. They do not harm the environment (leave no trace). Another reason is that, campers find hammocks more comfortable to sleep than lying on rock solid grounds. Plus 2 for hammocks! Also, they are more secure. They protect you from the risks of being on the ground. We mean the tiny creatures that dwell on the ground like spiders, little critters or other nasty bugs! Rocky, sloped, flooded surfaces, a hammock can always come in handy. Learn more about the benefits of sleeping in a hammock.

One basic thing you need to know when it comes to hammock camping is that, you don’t exactly need a suspension to put it up. It’s just an option to set up that way. What do you do when there are supports unavailable? Simple! You set up the hammocks on the ground. In these situations, you can just turn your hammock into a ground tent. You can also use a tarp over your hammock to protect you from the weather. If you are an ardent camper then you may have heard of the principle “Leave No Trace” Camping. Why are we stating this? Well it’s because that hammock camping is a fitting candidate for Leave No Trace. It’s quite difficult, to detect hammock camping, when proper tree protection (such as tree straps) is used. So if you’re hammock camping, then chances are that it’s probably hard to tell you’ve actually been there!

There are 3 simple steps to follow to grasp the basics of hammock camping.

WATCH OUT FOR THE TREES

First, find some trees near your camping spot. Not just any trees, they must be the sturdy ones. Another important thing to note here is that, the trees should be at least 4 – 5 m apart from each other. Remember what we said about the ‘Leave No Trace’ principle? Proper bark protection from the hammocks leave no mark on the trees. Usually hammocks come with rope so you’ll have to pick up a set of tree straps from an outdoor equipment shop. They are also referred as the ‘Tree- Huggers’. They are very simple to set up and you can put them up in no time. Learn how to set up a Serac ultralight camping hammock.

FIX THE POINTS 

Now that you have found your trees, it’s time for step 2. Set your tree straps around eye level on each of the trees. Only hang the hammock as high as you’re willing to fall. It’s rare that a hammock will rip but you never know what can happen – so it’s good to play it safe.

Generally speaking, if you are on uneven ground then you might want to take some caution so that the hammock is evenly hung between the trees at the same relative height.

SET UP THE HAMMOCK 

Let’s jump into the fun apart! Once your straps are fixed onto the trunks or any support, we have to tie the hammock rope to the straps. The rope can be directly attached to the straps through a carabiner. You can use loops to accomplish this or you can also go for the configuration style of your choice. Whatever it may be, be sure to set the right angle and give yourself a bit of a sag so you can rest comfortably with the proper sleeping position. Try to get your hammock at a 30 degree angle to the trunk of the tree.

Place your hammocks about chair height, above the ground level. That will do just fine. Congratulations!! You have successfully set up your very first hammock! Take a break and relax along your hammock. If you didn’t check the forecast, don’t fret, you can always add a tarp to your hammock. This can protect you from the high winds and stormy rains. You can also add a bug net to help you fight against bug bites.

To make the best of your hammock, try lying at a slight angle to be more cozy and comfortable. Next time you go camping, be sure to follow these basic steps to set up your hammock – you’ll be up and ready to hang in minutes. Pick a good spot, gather your camping buddies and have some fun. Happy Camping! Stay Safe!