Finally, you have decided to go camping, and you like to know how to tie a hammock to a tree with rope. Glad that you want to use a hammock during camping. Now, you are part of several others who don’t choose to lie on the ground.
You can have endless ways of tying a knot, and each has different purposes. Each technique varies by its own and has its own advantages and disadvantages. You don’t have to learn all types of knots to get things done, especially when you are on camping. You can learn a few techniques that can let you finish the task effortlessly. Interestingly, you can find various types of hammock knots, but my personal favorite will always be two half hitch.
Setting up the hammock
Before proceeding to knot a hammock, you first have to choose a place to hang your hammock. It can be any stationary objects like a tee and find out the right position to hang the hammock. You need to take care of certain factors while setting up the hammock. They are:
- Make sure that the trees or the branches are strong enough to carry your weight. Avoid using dead trees that don’t withstand nature’s power. Don’t risk yourself, as there are chances that such trees or poles might break and put you in danger.
- It should have at least a 5-meter gap between the trees that you choose to tie your hammock. If you don’t know how to hang a hammock with tree straps, you can follow instructions that come with the package.
- Hang the hammock in such a way that it is not too high or not low. If you keep a higher height level, chances of risk will be higher if you happen to fall. The base of the hammock must be at chair level.
How to tie a hammock knot, which is easy to handle?
Utilities required:
- Hammock
- Rope
- Tree straps
- Carabineers of high tensile strength
Step by step on how to hang a hammock with rope
Step 1. Choose a height
Find the tree or pole you want to tie your hammock and then choose the right height level. It is best to choose a moderate height and keep the base of the hammock at chair level. You also need to choose the right place by checking on factors like surface type and weather. For example, it is important to know the wind direction and its speed. The ground level has also need to take into account, so it is better to choose a flat surface over uneven surfaces. These are important factors before you decide on set up a hammock.
Step 2. Tie the knot – best knots for hammocks
Now take out your webbing materials and start making the knot. Tie the first knot on the tree or strong pole at a chosen or desirable height. On the safe side, you can combine different knots to make several knots. But ensure that it turns out right as it might be difficult to untie it and start all over again. Now here comes the important part of tie a hammock knot. You have to choose the knot type you like. There are different knots like bowline, two-half pitch, Becket Hitch, Taut-line hitch, figure eight, water knot, hammock knot and lot more.
How to Tie a Bowline Knot
Bowline hitch knots are the easiest ones, and it is best in holding heavy weights. You simply have to create a loop by curling the rope, and the knot is ready. If you don’t know tying hammock knots, this is the best type of knot you can try. You can make 2 or 3 reps of knots to make sure that it is tight and secure.
How to Tie a Two Half Hitch Knot
Two half hitch knots are best knots to use if you are tying the rope to a tree. It is again not a complicated knot to make and ensures your security if done correctly. You can make a single half hitch but to be on a safer side, most of the people do 2 knots. First, pass the rope line around the tree where you want to tie your hammock and move one more round under the previous one and pull it through the rope. Now, make one more loop around the tree and pull the end under and through once more like you did initially. This type of knot is safe, and good solution for tie a hammock knot as it is hardly possible to go wrong.
How to Tie a Taut Line Knot
Taut line hitch is another knot that is very useful in situations where you want to make adjustments. If you are planning to halt in a place for a short amount of time, but you still need to use your hammock, this type of knot is the perfect one. To make the knot, bring the rope tail across the tree and curl the rope around behind the already made loop. Now send it over the tree again and pull through the whole thing. After making the knot, you can tighten it as per your need. By sliding the hitch around itself, you can make the loop smaller or bigger and an ideal answer for how to tie a hammock knot when you want to have frequent changes.
In hammock knot, you will have a tail and a loop, and by pulling the tail, you can quickly untie the knot. It is a very effective knot to tie your hammock. You can tie the large rope around the trunk of the tree and take the tail portion of the webbing and put it over the webbing. Now make a loop and pull the loop through the loop. The knot is enough to hold any amount of weight. If you feel it will budge, then make another loop and pull the loop through the second loop. It will never budge and robust enough to hold the weight and a perfect answer for how to hang a hammock when you are looking for a secure knot.
Step 3. Safety measures
Finally, make sure that the hammock is sturdy and also check the strength of the webbing. Choose webbing that has the maximum power to keep risks low. Also, make sure that you pick a tree or pole with at least 6 inches diameter. Don’t tie your hammock to weak branches as they cannot stand strong winds. Choose your knot wisely as knots have the power to reduce the strength of both cord and the webbing. It is best to lie across the hammock instead of lying diagonally on it. Therefore always stick to the safety parameters, when you plan to tie a hammock.
Conclusion
This is how I do it as it is pretty easy. Hope it helps you to learn how to hang a hammock from a tree with rope. As you gain experience in making hammock knots, you can make multiple knots out of various knot types. If at all you are not confident in tying a hammock knot, you can rely upon tree straps that come along with modern hammocks. If you have got better ways to do it or suggestions on how to tie a hammock knot, comment below and let me know. It would also help other readers.