The MONSTER PROOF hammock system!

TREEfool

TREEfool

Participating member
Location
Sioux Falls, SD
I need to preface this one, haha. I am a member on Hammock Forums where I learn to build my own backpacking gear. I got a lot of help from those guys so when I finished building my latest hammock system I wanted to entertain them with a loopy (to say the least!) test video.

Haha! This is the result (you've been warned!):

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjlZMsf_LhU
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fisheyemonsterhammockinamonstertree_zps3733d2cd.jpg


I hope you enjoyed the video!

I also have a quick question for you guys. Below is an image of the predicament that I found myself in. My anchor was at point B and I wanted to get to point A.

Even if I brought my throwline into the tree with me and tossed it into the crotch at point A I would not be able to retrieve the thrown side unless I used a small grapple hook to swing it over and retrieve it. I assume you guys RARELY use the grapple hook technique, is that correct?

What I ended up doing was rappelling to point D and then girth hitched a sling (since I don't have a lanyard) and moved it up as I climbed my way up the left branch. I ended up with an almost horizontal main climbing line so I brought up the tail end of my climbing line and built a second anchor at point A. I could then lower myself to which ever side I needed but I still had to climb back up. Is there an easier way of doing this?

stickfiguretreetraverse_zps4eb89ef6.jpg


Thanks for the help!
 
There are several possible solutions depending on the situation. If you're trying to set up a traverse with no ground support then you probably did the simplest thing possible - climb down/climb back up.

There is a way to throw a ball so it comes back to you.

A long pole hook or RE-Treever works good.

Ever heard of a Jam-Knot (use extreme caution!)? (only use if the potential swing back is not life threatening)

Set two lines before leaving the ground that way when you want to climb up that other lead you have a rope to climb instead of girthing slings.

Ground helper can pull you over.

I'd love to come out and show ya. You can show me your camping equip. Got a date and local for your next adventure?
 
I agree your videos make me lol :)

In addition to what Raven suggested for getting over to "A", you could get a NT Yella Grapnel to get your throwline back.

You could ask check out yoyoman's magthrowbag setup.
 
I'd go for a grapple hook straight to point a if possible,then use a friction hitch or ascender to capture your progress as you pull across.
 
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Hilarious vid BTW. Are you sure you're not spending too much time alone?

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Nope, this definitely could have something to do with it
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There are several possible solutions depending on the situation. If you're trying to set up a traverse with no ground support then you probably did the simplest thing possible - climb down/climb back up.

There is a way to throw a ball so it comes back to you.

A long pole hook or RE-Treever works good.

Ever heard of a Jam-Knot (use extreme caution!)? (only use if the potential swing back is not life threatening)

Set two lines before leaving the ground that way when you want to climb up that other lead you have a rope to climb instead of girthing slings.

Ground helper can pull you over.

I'd love to come out and show ya. You can show me your camping equip. Got a date and local for your next adventure?

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I haven't heard of a jam-knot but I assume it is similar to building a stopper knot in rock climbing and smashing it into a crack. This is a great idea! I added it to my arsenal of ideas.

I would love to learn more techniques! My trips are very sporadic since I work as a flex-shift paramedic. I am usually afraid to make plans with friends because I do not want to cancel on them all the time but lately I haven't been getting many shifts and have just been out hiking/climbing all day. Most of my short trips take place on the west side of the cities although I found an ABSOLUTELY ENORMOUS tree that I was incapable of climbing alone which is south east of the cities. It is about a 1 or 2 mile hike off the trail in a forest. I would love to tackle the tree with someone more experienced than me.
 
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I agree your videos make me lol :)

In addition to what Raven suggested for getting over to "A", you could get a NT Yella Grapnel to get your throwline back.

You could ask check out yoyoman's magthrowbag setup.

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I kindof made a DIY Grapnel hook for this purpose but I don't use it much because I always get it stuck on twigs and stuff and it gets really messy! I will have to check out yoyoman's setup, I am sure he will be chiming in soon.

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I'd go for a grapple hook straight to point a if possible,then use a friction hitch or ascender to capture your progress as you pull across.

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Ah yes! I forgot about using a grapple hook as the anchor point vs just using it to retrieve the throwline. I like this idea a lot I just need a more durable grapple hook.
 
Hey Fluffyfish did you say you work in a hospital? I can't believe they let you in there.
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My favorite way to traverse is simply climb higher and swing over (or set my line higher from the git go). If your anchor point is close to the top of the tree for most trees you should be able to access everything with only a few redirects.
 
hehe. I agree with all of the above. Add me to your list to call for strange climbing adventure if you and Raven decide to do an adventure. I've got the Yella grapnel and tree-versing is one of my favorite things. I think between me and Eric, we could help with some tricks...er, don't know about the videos though...
 
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Fluffy,
PM me your address and I'll send you the magnets for free, anybody doing videos like you are deserves something for it.

Richard

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ARE YOU SERIOUS!!! HECK YESS! Wow, thank you so much! Before I read that post I was going to say:

That is just genius! I've seen the "mag throw bag" mentioned on here but I haven't watched how it works until now! I HATE using my grapnel hook because I hate getting it stuck in branches of other trees and this completely solves that problem...

SO I will TOTALLY take you up on that offer!
 
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Hey Fluffyfish did you say you work in a hospital? I can't believe they let you in there.
grin.gif


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neither can I! Sometimes at work I must direct a team of firefighters, emts, and my medic partner to help save a patients life. I giggle at the idea that someone as loopy and crazy as me is put in charge of something so important! Thus is the reason why none of my partners have seen my videos, haha.

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hehe. I agree with all of the above. Add me to your list to call for strange climbing adventure if you and Raven decide to do an adventure. I've got the Yella grapnel and tree-versing is one of my favorite things. I think between me and Eric, we could help with some tricks...er, don't know about the videos though...

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GREAT! Plus Tom is moving to MN and he promised to share some knowledge with me as well so this is going to be an awesome summer!
 
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You crack me up!

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Haha! Thanks.

BTW, is your avatar a photo of a huge tree growing on some sort of old two story building? It is awesome!
 
You could use a Throw-hook (no idea if thats correct in English?!) on the end of your line and toss it to point A.
But then I'd really suggest to climb higher first so point B is above A. That makes pulling over a lot easier and safer (beware of the forces on the anchors!).
But when point B is higher you might just swing over like someone wrote before, probably the best solution at all...
 
Any chance youd be interested in building one for sale? And if so, what would you want for it?

Ive built some very simple two point hammocks for ground camping, and have a treeboat and two portaledges for tree camping, but im really intrigued by your setup, it looks absolutely oerfect for tree camping!
 
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