>>2709957The setup:
This is just how I do it with my gear. If I have any insights about other systems I will include them, but mostly it's going to be specific to my stuff.
First I find 2 trees at a correct distance, with flat clear ground between them if possible. I measured beforehand how much distance my tarp and my hammock with the suspension need, in my case it's between 6 and 8 steps. Assuming it's not raining, I start with the suspension. Wrap as much of the tree hugger around the tree as possible, then feed the remaining suspension through the loop (I keep my whoopie slings semi-permanently attached to one end of the tree hugger and use a Dutch whoopie hook to connect to the hammock). You want the loop to be on the side of the tree where the suspesion goes towards your hammock - you don't want to pull on the loop or create a bend in the webbing. There is no need to tighten it, the friction on the bark will keep it in place. With tree straps you only need 1 wrap. Attach the hammock and adjust your suspension. The correct suspension angle is 30 degrees, which you can eyeball by making a finger gun and looking at the slope between the tips of your thumb and index finger. You want the foot end to be significantly higher than your head end, the reason being that
your center of gravity will slide to the bottom of the hammock anyway. But while your head and shoulders can be comfortable almost all the way up to the gathered end, your knees and feet will appreciate any amount of loose fabric you can allot on their side. While you're in the hammock, the ridgeline shouldn't be too tight, you should be able to bend it with your fingers, but it shouldn't hang loose. Either of those means the suspension is either too flat or too steep, you can adjust by moving it up or down the tree and shortening/loosening it.
