So after 25+ years of tandem tripping, the stars are aligning for my first solo and first "hanging" BWCA trip for the second week in June. I am brand new to hanging and so I really don't feel comfortable investing the $500-$600 for the Warbonnet XLC/Edge tarp with quilts until I know that I enjoy solo tripping and hanging. So I am hoping to use what I have already until I know for sure this hanging thing is for me. Here's what I've got. An Eno Nest with the Eno Guardian Bug Net covered with a CCS 8X10. I plan to use my BA Lost Ranger 15 degree bag which has a sleeve for my insulated BA full length insulated air core. I gave this set-up a quick trial run today and it seemed to be adequately covered and protected while also comfortable. Does anyone see any pressing issues with this set up? Any gadgets or tips that will improve this set-up? This is how it looked set up today. Any insight and constructive criticism is appreciated.

that looks good. you may want to bring your tarp down, closer to your hammock, in the event of rain and wind.

That is better than what I started out with. You have enough tarp to set under it and eat if it is raining. I spray the bottom of my tarp with permethrine. Helps reduce the skeeters.

quote MagicPaddler: "That is better than what I started out with. You have enough tarp to set under it and eat if it is raining. I spray the bottom of my tarp with permethrine. Helps reduce the skeeters. "

Interesting tip of spraying bottom of tarp with permathrine. I might give that a try. What concentration? I know for soaking clothing, the recommended concentration is .125-.167%. The spray on concentration should be around .5%. With clothing, the water evaporates and the permathrine binds to the fabric. Will permathrine bind to a silicone coated nylon tarp?

I use .5% = ½% for spraying the bottom of my tarp. It does not eliminate mosquitoes but it helps reduce the number that collect under my tarp. When I had a bottom entry hammock I noticed that they like to collect under the hammock. Maybe I should also spray the bottom of my UQ.

Looks like your good to go!!! However, when I sleep in my ENO, sometimes I wake up short of breath, a little "pain" in my lungs. I attribute it to something akin to the beginnings of a collapsed lung due to my rib cage compressing a little. Same thing happens on the couch sometimes...

Maybe you can spend a night in your setup? Tie it off in the basement somewhere...

quote Exo: "........
Maybe you can spend a night in your setup? Tie it off in the basement somewhere..."

Good idea. Maybe I'll spend a night in the back yard or basement before the big trip. I'm sure that will work out some kinks.

As you can see,I hung my 8x10 CCS tarp rectangular. I suppose this question is similar to the innie/outie debate with tent footprints, but would any of you rig this tarp diagonally instead? I could likely get a few more inches of overhead coverage while sacrificing some side coverage with a slight diagonal rig on this tarp. What do you all think? Thanks for all the support.

quote DuluthPak: "

quote Exo: "........
Maybe you can spend a night in your setup? Tie it off in the basement somewhere..."

Good idea. Maybe I'll spend a night in the back yard or basement before the big trip. I'm sure that will work out some kinks."

Definitely do a trial run before you head out on your big trip. Many people need two or three nights to get their hammock "dialed in" for comfort. (Tip: if you are uncomfortable, try loosening your hammock and make sure the foot end is higher than your head)

And lay diagonal-ish, if it allows.

Couple of quick suggestions if you are expecting rain. Moving the tarp lines lower than your suspension on the tree will probably give you better rain coverage at the ends if you decide to hang rectangular. Also, you'll want to add something hanging down off your suspension that is under the tarp so that rain doesn't run down the suspension right into your hammock (couldn't tell from the pictures if your current setup did this).

quote Aosrax: "Couple of quick suggestions if you are expecting rain. Moving the tarp lines lower than your suspension on the tree will probably give you better rain coverage at the ends if you decide to hang rectangular. Also, you'll want to add something hanging down off your suspension that is under the tarp so that rain doesn't run down the suspension right into your hammock (couldn't tell from the pictures if your current setup did this)."

Excellent idea moving the tarp lines below suspension to get my hammock tucked up in the A-frame. I'll try that on my next trial run. I believe the carabinier on my ENO is under the tarp and so that should stop "run down".

Great stuff guys. Please keep it coming.

When I used a tarp like that I ran the ridge line from corner to corner. Then I had to watch which was the head and foot of the tarp. Once I had it set up correctly I put a small piece of ribbon on one end of the tarp so it was easy to set up correctly the next time.

Don't count on the carabiner to divert all of the water. In addition just tie a short piece of para-cord to a point after the carabiner on each side. Just be sure that the para-cord is under the tarp.

quote unshavenman: "Don't count on the carabiner to divert all of the water. In addition just tie a short piece of para-cord to a point after the carabiner on each side. Just be sure that the para-cord is under the tarp."

I was curious about whether the water will move past the carabiner. I will tie some cord around. Thanks

We use the same ENO setup with 10 x 12 CCS tarps for ours.
CB

Duluthpak,
If you haven't done so already, become a member at hammockforums.net.
Great group of people over there and lots of information to help hang successfully. Beware though, it's easy to drop a lot of money on this venture :)

quote unshavenman: "Duluthpak,
If you haven't done so already, become a member at hammockforums.net.
Great group of people over there and lots of information to help hang successfully. Beware though, it's easy to drop a lot of money on this venture :)"

Thanks. Joined hammockforums.net a few days ago. Learning a lot. I'm also watching a lot of Shug videos. That guy is hilarious but also knowledgeable. I don't mind prying open my wallet once I've done my homework and I know what I want. I'm gett'n there. Thanks everyone.

quote unshavenman: "Don't count on the carabiner to divert all of the water. In addition just tie a short piece of para-cord to a point after the carabiner on each side. Just be sure that the para-cord is under the tarp."

Correct - the carabiner will not handle the water in a heavy rain. Or hardly even a light rain.
I've been soaked while depending on drip rings and such.
The water just travels across them.
One of the biggest money making scams in the hammock world - if you ask me.
I forget where I saw it, but like you said, just tie on something dangling down. I bought a four pack of some cotton shoe strings and simply tied them to the main suspension just inside the tarp.
Not a drop runs past them.

Maybe I could sell them!!

I think my whoopie sling works for a drip line. Is either at the right spot, or I tie the loose end at the appropriate spot...

From the pics it looks like you have your hammock hung fairly high off the ground. I have found that if I can sit in the hammock with my feet comfortably on the ground, then I can pull my tarp down so it gets pretty close to the ground on either side. That can help block wind blown rain.
Again, hammocks have a fiddle factor, so play with it a few times before you head into the woods.

Have fun!

I definitely agree with hanging a little lower and having the tarp line below the strap line. One other thing I would recommend; if space and weight are a factor, I would get whoopie slings for the hammock and lighter lines for the tarp. Other than that, Very Nice Setup!

Thanks for all of the tips everyone. I'm glad I asked for the critique because I've learned a lot. I've also learned a lot on some other hammock forums too. I've tweaked up my system and I think I'm ready for a trial sleep in the backyard before my trip in early June.

If possible, try to find a way to hang in your house before you sleep outside. I spent a couple of nights in the basement working on getting warm and comfortable before trying outside. I still sleep in the basement occasionally.

Good looking setup.

This is great to see because this would be very similar to my debut setup if (when?) I get a chance. I got a ENO double nest for Christmas and just tried it out while car camping last weekend. I got about a half hour nap and was quite comfortable. However, like you, I can't see investing in a whole idealized setup unless it becomes a common scenario. I already have an 8x10 CCS tarp and a BA bag/Exped pad combo.

Let us know how the trial hang goes.

My first hang was with my ENO doublenest, ProFly and my BA Grouse Mountain 15° mummy using a Neo Air Trekker, so a very similar setup.
My first hang was on a trip in September, and I found that I was cold on my sides. I also noticed more condensation on my bag than I expected. I would suggest coming up with something extra for insulation on your sides if needed. Last year I was up in June during the storms they had to airlift some boyscouts out and was cold in my new setup with no underquilt. The weather will make a big difference!

quote George5000: "Last year I was up in June during the storms they had to airlift some boyscouts out and was cold in my new setup with no underquilt. The weather will make a big difference! "

Good point. I'm hoping to get by with my insulated pad for this first hang if possible. But I will check the forecast a day before my first trip. If the lows are forecast to go below the low 40s at night then I'll pick up an underquilt on my way up.