How to Set Up a Jungle Hammock
Jungle hammocks have been used by U.S. soldiers since WWII to provide a safe, comfortable place to sleep, even in terrain where tents would be difficult or impossible to use. By combining a light yet durable sleeping surface with mosquito netting and a rain shield, jungle hammocks provide reliable protection from insects and inclement weather. Today, jungle hammocks are widely used by civilians for camping and backcountry hiking because they are convenient, versatile and relatively quick and easy to set up.
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Things You'll Need
- Jungle hammock (with mosquito netting)
- Rain tarp
- 2 hammock straps or webbings
- 2 ropes or cords, 25 feet each
- Drip lines (several pieces of string or rope, 6 to 8 inches each)
- Cinch or ring buckles (optional)
- Carabiners (optional)
Instructions
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1
Find a suitable site to set up your hammock. Choose a spot with two strong supports (such as trees, boulders, posts or poles) roughly 10 to 14 feet apart. Even sites with jagged rocks, standing water or insects will often work fine, because the hammock will support you well above the ground.
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2
Loop a strap or webbing tightly around one support several times. Use a sturdy knot (such as a tuck or a half-hitch) to secure the extra material, but leave yourself several feet to tie to the hammock cord.
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3
Use a sturdy knot (such as a linesman's knot, lash or bowline knot) to connect one cord or rope to the strap or webbing. Alternatively, you can connect the cord and strap with ring or cinch buckles, or a carabiner, which can make adjusting the hammock easier.
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4
Use a sturdy knot (such as a self-tightening girth hitch or larkshead) to tie the other end of the cord or rope to the hammock.
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5
Repeat Steps 2 through 4 to secure the free end of the hammock to the second support. Allow your hammock to hang low enough to be comfortable to enter, exit and occupy, but high enough to keep you well clear of any obstacles below. As a starting point, try letting the cords hang 30 degrees below horizontal, then adjust to your own preference.
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6
Tie your rain tarp to the supports (well above the straps/webbing). Keep the tarp taut to prevent water from pooling on it.
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7
Tie several short pieces of string to each cord or rope to act as drip lines. These will guide rain and moisture to the ground rather than along the anchor lines and into your hammock.
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Tips & Warnings
For best results, use polypropylene or polyester webbing with a working load at or above 700 pounds.
Practice setting up your jungle hammock (and especially tying knots) at home to get familiar with the process before you need to depend on the hammock for shelter.
