A Great Idea: It adds 6 grams to my hammock set-up but improves comfort much more than that by allowing a flatter ‘hang’ – and it allows for somewhere to hang your gear. It works on the same principle as the Whoopie Sling. Genius. I bought mine from this guy for A$16.95 (Nov 2017). http://www.tiergear.com.au/11/products/adjustable-hammock-ridgeline Very cheap but very well made.
Mine was red. Here it is in action in the garden with Spot supervising:
Of course in the bush I would have my 150 gram 8′ x 8′ cuben fibre tarp over this. You can see it here: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/hammock-camping-double-bunking/ It has kept me warm and dry in quite a number of interesting situations. It is possible to have a fire out to the side, and to sit cozily in the hammock whilst gazing at the flames licking at the embers. Better than TV. I just throw my Thermarest Neoair Womens mat in (you may need a longer one), and shove a couple of pieces of blue foam under my elbows and I am comfy and cozy in all weathers.
The hammock/tarp combo is only a little over 300 grams. Pretty hard to get a tent and bathtub floor which will keep you as dry (but not as comfortable) for anywhere near that weight.
A variety of Ridgeline Gear Organisers exists to stow various overnight items in (eg phone, glasses, drink bottle, head torch, hearing aids). For example: http://www.tiergear.com.au/11/products/hammock-storage-systems and http://www.hammockgear.com/hammock-gear-ridgeline-organizer/
These little guys are very handy too. Just add a mini carabiner: http://www.tiergear.com.au/11/products/prussik-loops-pair
As I have mentioned elsewhere I usually attach a length of cord to the inside end of my hammock so I can secure gear there so it doesn’t have to be outside on the wet ground. You can secure the gear with a micro carabiner, mitten hook or with a loop and a micro cord lock.
Unfortunately (as you can see) Spot likes to sleep in my hammock too (in his own little sleeping bag). I confess a hammock is more comfortable (but not so warm) without a dog.
Some other ideas here: https://hennessyhammock.com/pages/tips-from-users-1#
Instructions for DIY here: http://www.tiergear.com.au/25/diy-hammock-ridgeline-organiser
Some other good ideas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqlCvHtSDAM If you want to suspend a ditty bag from the ridgeline it’s better if you place the cordlock inside the loop of cord) & here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2-rfD-VA6s
Shown is my Hummingbird Hammock which weighs a mere 147 grams, and which kept me safe in one of the wettest places on the planet the Dusky Track, Fiordland new Zealand. If I were you I would use this set-up with a lightweight tarp such as this Heron Rain Tarp which weighs 8.6 ounces or 245 grams and costs US$144.95 (Nov 2017) or this Standard Hammock Tarp which weighs 7 ounces or 198 grams and costs US$249!.
You could use either tarp as an on-ground shelter and the hammock as a groundsheet if you wanted to instead of a tent – as I explained here: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/the-ultralight-deer-hunter/
See Also: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/hammock-hunting-till-dark/
I have many other posts about hammocking, as a search at the top of the page will reveal.
Other hammock related posts:
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/a-hummingbird-in-the-hand/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/adjustable-hammock-ridgeline/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/continuous-loop-another-great-hammock-idea/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/whoopie-slings-what-a-great-idea/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/side-insulation/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/hammock-pad-extender/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/diy-netless-hammock/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/klymit-hammock-pad/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/make-your-own-tarp-or-hammock/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/hammock-camping-double-bunking/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/hammock-hunting-till-dark/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/all-in-one-hammock-tent-poncho-backpack-at-1-2-kg/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/laybag/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/all-you-ever-need-to-know-about-tarps/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/tier-gear-catenary-cut-hex-tarp/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/900th-post/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/sleeping-pad-reinvented-big-agnes-q-core-slx/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/modifyingshortening-hiking-mats/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/catenary-cut-tarp/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/thermarest-speedvalve/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/hole-less-ponchoshelter/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/hammocks/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/hammock-camping/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/the-ultralight-deer-hunter/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/hunting-in-fiordland/
