Just Jeff's Hiking Page

Garda Hitch on a Hennessy with No Modifications

I've been experimenting with the Garda Hitch because of its simplicity and adjustability. (HF thread) I wanted to use it on my HH without modifying the hammock, but I wanted my whole support system to remain in one piece for setup and teardown. And I wanted the rings to be under the tarp in case I need to adjust during the rain. This idea popped into my head...I'll test it in the field but I think it'll work just fine.

This is the Backpacker Ultralight Asym (BULA) with the thin Spectra cord for supports. Basic idea:

1. Get a piece of cord smaller than the hammock support. This needs to be strong enough to support your weight including an allowance for knots. I used BPL Air Core Plus. (Actually, the force on the support will be cut in half because the biner will act as a pulley...but I'd still go for about 1000lbs safe load.)
2. Tie loops in each end. I used a piece of cord that was already tied into loops and I didn't measure before I put them on, but...
   • One loop needs to be big enough to form a larkshead around the rings. A double larkshead (just wrap it around twice) would keep the rings more stable but it's probably not needed.
   • The other end needs to be long enough to make a prussik on the hammock support.
3. Put the double larkshead around both rings.
4. Put the prussik on the hammock support right next to the hammock...I use a variation close to this. You'll have to feed the rings through the loop for this step. If the loop isn't quite big enough, just feed some of the hammock support through to give you some more room to work with. Now your rings should be hanging from your support line, completely connected.
5. Feed the free end of the hammock support into the rings and form the Garda Hitch. Tug it tight, and now the hammock support Spectra should create a big loop.
6. Clip a biner on this big loop.
7. To set up the hammock, just wrap the tree hugger around the tree and clip it all together with the biner. Pull the Garda Hitch tight and you're done!

I'm having some computer issues so the pics are dark...I'll fix them up later.

Discuss this project HERE.

Garda Hitch on HH
	I'm pulling down on the rings to show how the whole thing fits together. The white is the Air Core Plus...prussik on the right and rings on the left. The biner would go all the way to the left where it loops around the hammock stand.
	Here's what it looks like when it's all in line.

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