I bust out laughing when the squirrels ran by! And then the one freezes, looks around and then goes the other way! 😂

I learned everything I know about hammocks from this man!! Thanks Shug!! I also learned my backyard is noisy at night, ha ha.

"You only get to be new at something ONCE...so enjoy the journey!" - Shug Profound words, my friend. Looking forward to the caffeine-addled Shug in coming videos. Stay well up there.

In these crazy times, these videos are a soothing balm for me...thanks Shug!

Photobomb by Mr Gray Squirrel. 😂

Have to take a minute and give you a heart felt thank you. Took the two kids for our 5th overnighter since May this past weekend. Great memories are being made, lots of learning and exploring. Never would have happened with out your youtube knowledge and encouragement. Really, you were the deciding factor to graduate from car camping trips twice a year to hammocks and backpacking the catskills and adirondacks. Thank you Shug, will never be able to repay what you have done for us

Shug is the definitive youtube expert on hammocking. If he can't find a way to hang a hammock, it means its physically impossible.

This is my new favorite Shug video! Really appreciated this delivery.

Anything worthwhile always has a learning curve. The more worthwhile the thing, the longer and steeper the curve. Count on it. But! A knowledgeable and thorough TEACHER can make that journey a lot less painful! Thanks Shug, for being that "Teacher of Hammocking" that made MY foray into Hammocking a whole lot easier and pleasurable!!

The squirrels 🐿 haha. Great video! I’ve been dying to get more into camping, back packing, and hammock camping. I have my list ready now! Thank you for all the grand information

The wonderful journey of retirement, learning about Expresso, and other odd bits/bodds. Will be joining the retirement gang soon. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

I’m a big fan of learning curves. I really enjoy the process of learning and attempting to perfect the thing I become passionate about. I’ve picked up some great tips about “the perfect hang” from you Shug. Thanks for sharing!

The squirrels behind you stole the show. Thank you for all the useful info and a lot of smiles.

Squirrel!!! Shug strikes again with REAL WISDOM, Thank You!! If I am not mistaking, the day we stop learning is the day we stop breathing . . . Keep trying, you might just get me into a hammock yet . . . ;>) Anyway we do it, hammock or tent, get your butt outside!!!

Thank you for reminding me of why I love hammocking - that journey is the best!

Tons of respect for you Shug! You are the most humble and respectful voice in the hammock world! We love your videos!!

Received my painting of Shug hanging on the Vermont Long trail and love it! Now proudly displayed in my home office, Sean Emery hangs comfortable over a fall forest floor while an eastern sun rise lifts behind him. Couldn’t be more happy with this art! Thanks Shug!

Gonna have to look into a print. Hammocking has brought me most of greatest joys over this past decade of living. Too many mornings listening to that birdsong to remember. Happy hanging sir

I was fortunate enough to have all the wonderful advice and experience of people like Shug and Backpacking With Buckley to make my hammock purchase. I purchased a Superior Gear Hammock and tarp, the first hang I had with it was in the backyard. And I comfortably slept in the winter temperature of 21º F with my top quilt and warm clothing. I cannot wait to actually hike and camp with it on the Superior Hiking Trail this June 2023. Great motivational advice here in this video, and I encourage every camper/hiker to take a swing at hammock camping.

Perfect timing Shug. Going on my first fall hang for this year, on Friday. Needed a refresher course. Will watch a few of your videos today. Woo Buddy! (Love my Maple King - thanks)

Thank you Shug! Really enjoyed this chat and learned a lot from it. Thanks!

Great Video Shug, I am a newer hammock camper but I am enjoying it so much!

Ahhh the dreaded "what am I gonna use" question...Wise words from a hammocking veteran!🤠🤙Thanks for sharing brother

I do believe this is the best hammock video You’ve ever made, and I’ve watched most of them. It was classic Shug, did a great job of summarizing the process, and kept it entertaining. This is my new go-to video to send anyone interested in hammock camping!

Thanks for all you do Shug. You are a ray of sunlight in what seems to be a world of darkness at times.

That's it, I just bought another print: Swamp run! Haha thanks again, Shug, for that beautiful art

Shug is hands down the Bob Ross of hammocks

Shug your videos are timeless. Thank you so much.

Recently got the hammock gear wanderlust system. Hung a few times in the backyard to get the hang of it. Think I watched all your videos on how to hang and watched how to adjust an underquilt several times. Jumped on an airplane and went to the boundary waters for 7 days. Never slept better. Thank you Shug.

I have a hammock at work That I string up at lunch between a couple of trees. Sometimes I'll sit there and eat a sandwich. Other times I'll rack out and sleep for 40 minutes... I only bring it up because I've been doing it for a couple of months and yesterday, I found THE PERFECT HANG! It was the most comfortable I'd ever been in that particular hammock in that location. It's never been UNcomfortable, but it's never been THAT comfortable before! It takes some time and tweaks and learning your system. But it's so worth it!

Hey Shug I went out for the first time in my hammock setup in CT. Got down to 20 degrees my ass was freezing! I brought up one of your under quilt videos and watched it and cranked my UQ up tight. It totally fixed the cold butt and I was in heaven. Thanks buddy! 👍🍾

Good ol' Shug! You helped me get out on the SHT this year and I have completed 170 miles so far. So thanks for the info, humor, and inspiration to try something new; wouldn't have gone without ya!

Shug I have been hammock camping for 5 years. I watched your videos early on and thought I had it all down. I camped with a great group of people in Illinois and Wisconsin that I learned so much from. After moving back to Texas I have a group of two and we are camping more and more now that is getting cooler. I have struggled over the last couple of nights out with my comfort in the hammock. Thanks for sharing refresher videos and the past videos that I went back and watched. I found opportunities to change/adjust my DIY gathered end set up for a way better night sleep.

shug ... need to through out there a big thank you for all your knowledge on hammock and tarp setup . I had watched quite a few vids about the subject even before getting my first hammock , always the best way to do things , rig line for the hammock and the same for the tarp . I had suggested you to a friend for all there questions to be answered about the subject . thanks again

I love your videos. Lots of very good information and you helped make my mind up on the kit i finally bought. Xlc, wooki, superfly, katabatic quilt and dutch bing. Got the same for my son. It was a big risk as we were tent campers and nerver in a hammock before. After the first night we decided we never wanted to go back to the ground again. I spent the best part of 2 years on and off learning about hammock camping and the gear, and i took the 'buy once cry once' approach and it payed off. There's something special about setting up camp in the woods so a big thank you for all the information that I've absorbed from your videos. Every trip is a learning experience.

My first hammock arrives this Friday, looking forward to the journey! Thank you for sharing your experience.

I made a couple of under quilts for COTS! In a great BIG tent. Never heard of one before. It works very well. Cozy and so comfortable. I'm using mine this weekend.

Boy, Shug, I sure enjoy your videos. My son and I have been "hangin" for a few years, now. You, your experiences, and videos have been a HUGE help. Thank you for that. You are so right about the learning curve. Heading out this weekend for a canoe trip and will be hangin a couple of nights. An inexperienced individual is coming along and wondered aloud if they should go and get a hammock to use instead of their tent. I quickly told him that if he wants a hammock, I will be happy to help him but there is a lot more to it than going out and buying a hammock and stringing it up between a couple of trees. Whooooo budddy!

The noises are what make it so tough for me. Not to mention needing a fan to sleep when I'm home. I'm hoping I can give it a real try now that I got a little fan. Also, I love the painting I got from you so much!

oh man, shug, you're just great. No matter how depressed five Minutes ago, I watch you telling your truth, your style, and I laugh out loud! More than once. I'd like to hug you … thanks a lot, Guido

I learned to hammock camp from you. Used it to thru hike the AT. Thanks. ✌🏻❤️

2:12 squirrel! Thanks for this, I've enjoyed napping in a hammock while camping but my first night trying to sleep in one didn't go well. I'll mostly keep to tent sleeping for now but I'm working on getting my hammock setup dialed in.

How Shug explains things with these crazy intermezzo's in between the scenes it's actually the best way for me to learn things. I have the attention span of a doorknob so this is just perfect. Keep it hanging! Love from the Netherlands ❤️

Hey Shug, I've been hanging my hammock in the back yard to practice for a section hike on the AT next year. I discovered that someone in my neighborhood has a rooster! I didn't know that until I slept outside. But, that being said, I slept like a baby in my 10ft hammock. Keep posting those videos. I still have a lot to learn.

I truly enjoy your videos! Love the humor, and sooo much good stuff!! I've learned a lot watching your vids. Oh, and the cute squirrels running along on your fence made this one even better :D

Shug is the number one reason that I got into hiking, light to ultra-light hiking, and hammocks. The man knows his stuff. Thanks buddy !

Fantastic video Shug! I really do enjoy watching your channel. I learn something and get entertained at the same time.

My first 3 years were a pain. 10 different hammocks. This season my hiking setup is great. Dealt with rain a couple times. "If it aint raining, you aint training". LOL. This weekend i am using a different hammock for a quick overnight car camp hang. Finally! two weeks ago on my hike i slept for 10hrs which is 3 hrs more than normal. Woke up in the middle of the night to a full moon. Giant smile!

Thanks Shug! One so very useful tip I got from this video. I was strugling so much to get my hammock perfect in the middle between two trees with the foot end higher than the head end...Never occured to me that I could just move a bit closer to one tree in order to get the foot end higher... Have to get out very soon again to try this. Thanks!!!

You're the best , I'm so glad i found your channel and the timing couln not have been better. I just recieved my first hammocks EVER and was completely clueless. You have seriously been a godsend, thank you so much !! I am super stoked to try all these things you share with us. I give your channel 5 stars. thanks again, cheers!!

Man you are absolutely right the curve is much wider for some of us still have not quite figured it out. Some times my hangs work great other times just doesn't work seems easy enough right. Not even close thanks for the help.

You read my mind! I’m giving it a go! First time coming up. Thank you for the video!

Hey Shug! Love your videos. As a fellow southerner who married a damn fine Minnesotan woman, I love your videos, and your performances. I went to school for theatre, and became a zookeeper. Should have gone to clown college. Thank you for being you, I hope to see you on the trail one day.

I have 7 hammocks. I learned so much in the first year. Been doing it 5 years now. Only recently have I realized that I finally can mostly pick two trees and get everything set up nearly perfect with little adjustment or when I don't, I quickly know how to make the proper adjustments.

Learned about you and your channel listening to podcasts yesterday b/c trying to convert from tents to hammocks because comfort, flexibility- and want to re-start my backpacking. Hardest part for me is finding the right balance between weight function and cost as i gear up. Love what you’ve done here - this is an awesome breakdown of considerations with just the right amount of psychology. So - thank you.

Early! (Darn it, 29 people were earlier than me.) Thanks Shug. Love the info. Still a ground-dweller, mostly, but thanks to you, my low has gotten down to 5°, & going lower this winter. Also playing with a new hammock in my backyard & getting acquainted with it. Whooo buddy!

Was looking up Hammock videos, some are good and then I thought I need to look up Shug. Well I found this gem of a video. 12 years later, I have learned more from you over the years about Hammocking than anywhere else, so I'll say it again Thanks Shug!

I knew you were a hammock expert. Today I learned that you are a Zen master! Many thanks for your teachings.

Shug, you are the reasonI have been successful in my hammock! When I am out in the woods and having a struggle I always stop and mentally review your video teaching. I’m getting older and can’t do ground sleeping anymore and watching your videos gave me the courage to go to hammock. Hubby has now joined me after being a hard core tenter. This video is awesome. I have friends who have recently purchased hammocks and this will now be my go-to share link because of all the links to your other videos. It’s training all in one! I also have to take the opportunity to share that I once dreamed of attending clown college in Florida and becoming a clown. I cried when I heard about it’s closure. Your history as a clown just makes me love watching you even more! 💜

My kids and I go kayak camping a lot but we always camp in a tent. About two weeks ago I pulled out a cheep hammock that work gave me and went camping with it. The experience was great! I would never have thought about hammock camping if it were not for you and the wonderful videos you post, very interesting. I enjoy the way you teach, you are always thorough and sometimes funny to watch. When I’m not in the woods I like watching people that are and living through them and seeing where they go. I love in East Tennessee, so we have several lakes and a lot of trails to explore as you probably already know. Thank you so much for the inspiration and the laughs!

Great stuff Shug! What I tell people is that they have a learning curve for everything (just like you said), even tent camping. What most don't realize is that the tent camping learning curve was done (usually) at a young age, over a good span of time and on multiple outings (just like you recommend for hammocking); but they were so young the just don't realize it. Hammocks are little more fiddly but that's a benefit; you can create your own specific system; a tent is a tent, but most hammock systems are unique to the user.

Thanks Shug, as usual I enjoy your videos, which are very informative. And I also learn something new!

Ok so this was the most enjoyable video I have ever seen (someone in a women’s Facebook forum said “search shugemery” and so here I am). I am a tent camper and considering hammock life. I cannot wait to watch more of your vids. Thx so much!

Enjoying the video went through it because of watching you an hickory cheers from Chattanooga 👍🏼✌🏼

You are the man Shug! I've been watching you for years and I am still learning. I think I figured something out my last overnighter. I have always struggled with having to get up and P all thru the night. This last trip we were car camping and I also had my tent and pad with me. After about the 4th time getting out of the hammock to P, I realized I had a little cold-butt going on. It was about 50 degrees, no wind, and I had a 30 degree UQ. After checking to make sure the UQ was rigged right, I said to heck with it, I'm putting my pad in the hammock! Under inflated it a bit and slept the rest of the night! Actually woke up with a little sweat on the back in the morning! Not the most comfortable lay with the pad - lots of hammock dancing - but I finally settled in to a good lay. Not a setup I want for long term... I am going to re-visit my UQ setup and maybe make a UQ protector to help cinch it up against me - more learning curve! Bottom line, I think my P problem has always been related to CBS. Also may look into a bridge hammock and consider using a pad with it - back to the Shug archive! Sorry for rambling, thought someone else may have the same issues!

Hey Shug, thank's for be you, that its true is not the arrival IT'S THE JOURNEY!!!! always learning.From Spain best regards Master.

Rewatched this because of your reply to a thread on hammock forums. Always good information. Thankfully for my wallet, I'm one of those you talk about at the 6 min mark that have had good experiences using cheap/inexpensive items. Slowly, I'm upgrading items mostly so I can get items that pack better while hiking. Ultralight is not a goal. Good experiences are as I've been known to hike with a 10" cast iron griddle because of what I wanted to eat. (Even then, when I solo hike I've found smaller & 'lighter' cast iron options)

Thanks for the video! I'm going to be sharing it with all the people that ask me hammock questions. Wish I knew about the issues of setting up and trying to sleep in my back yard when I first got my Hennessy... (my experience was exactly as you described.. cars, cats, etc). Hope you get out on a trip again soon now that fall is here!

I have been hanging for a little over six years now. From the moment I tried it, I was hooked. For me, it is the comfort. I know of no other sleep system that affords the comfort of a gathered end hammock. The old real water beds of the 70's have similar support, but I don't remember them being as comfortable...and you can't put one in your backpack or saddlebag. I sleep in a hammock every night. I have learned much from Shug and other online hammock guru's.....Still learning. Thanks for sharing.

Great stuff Shug! I will direct nebies to this one for sure. BTW, you are responsible for me buying my Warbonnet Blackbird and Superfly back in 2009. Still using that set up today. Thanks for being you.

Good video for anyone to see. I, like yourself, enjoy the process of learning how to do something. You are always learning, even when you think you have a complete understanding of something. Case in point - I just got back from 5 day trip. I have been using a hammock for over 15 years and was lucky enough to never run into too many issues. However on this past trip - two out of 4 nights - perfect distance between trees, clear ground underneath - could not have been better setup. But both times after a few hours of sleep I woke up with a cold spot on the middle of my back (aka migrating CBS). All I can say is it reminded me of a tooth ache and there was no way I was going to fall back to sleep. This has never been a problem for me personally (once again because I am probably lucky), but there is a first time for everything. It took me a few times getting up and fiddling with the underquilt suspension to get rid of it. Although I hated gettting up, there was some satisfaction that I was able to figure out what was wrong. Always something to learn.

I don't often post, and you probably don't remember me, but I've followed your channel from near the beginning. You're the one who finally convinced me to go with a hammock some years back. I haven't looked back since. Thank you!

I did it Shug! I drove for hours up to Ely and beyond. I got to the Angleworm trailhead and spent 4 days and 3 chilly nights hiking and camping around that lake. I got some of the best sleep I’ve had in years and I loved every minute of it!

Hey Shug. New to your videos as of 3 days ago and have loved everyone. I recently (this summer) transitioned to hammock camping with a Blackbird XLC and have no idea to go back. A few friends (4) and I hiked the SHT from Castle Danger to Caribou Falls and they were all shoved in a tent while I was comfortable in my set up and got the best sleep ever. I'm watching your review videos to find the best underquilt for my set up because that is my next investment. Thanks again for all the info and fun. Take care!

I enjoyed your hammock curve video. I agree whole heartedly. I am still Learning also. I have been out on two overnight nights in the past month, I enjoyed the cool weather trip more than the warm one. The warm trip low was 63. The cool trip low was 40. Cool trip was almost perfect. Great camping weather in Tennessee last weekend.

I found hammocks through your channel a few years ago. They have been a fun and frustrating journey but have done the same for me, added a shot in the arm to my camping adventures.

Shug mate, you're my favourite for entertainment to hammock guru info to camp vlogs to general goofing around. I've always likened you to the robin Williams of the hammock world, and that's a huge compliment :D

Hey Shug, I love you like a brother. I recently received some of your art work. Thanks so much for the extra picture and kind words. Your art brings a smile to my face every time I come into the house and see it on the wall in my man cave............. Jay T. from Oregon

OMG! That rapid-fire burst of questions was less than a minute! The joys of ADHD: you're giving life lessons and I'm having difficulty dragging my eyes away from the squirrels in the background. Between foul weather, COVID-19 lockdown, work and Real Life being a total _sod_ from time to time, I've had precisely _one_ opportunity to actually spend a night sleeping in my hammock - which was already enough to get me completely reworking and rethinking my setup. I've bought different gear, swapped out items that came with the hammock for lighter items, bought various things for the suspension and a hammock sleeve to make deploying and stowing the hammock easier, learned how to make my own continuous loops from Amsteel... and I still haven't got everything dialled in yet. Once I get a proper tarp, I'm sure that I'm going to have more rethinking, reworking and tweaking and when I get to try it overnight again, I'll have even more things to change. I love the fact that hammock camping is modular. For a start, you can pick the components that work for you. The hammock, suspension, tarp, accessories etc don't all have to be from the same company so if you like _their_ hammock but prefer someone else's tarp because it has better tie-off points or whatever, you can do that. For another thing, you can buy the bits piecemeal as you can afford them and you can often make do with something else in the meantime. First night I took the hammock out - with a cheap polytarp and the car parked literally within 10 metres of the trees I chose to hang between at the camping ground - I thoroughly enjoyed being able to sit back in my hammock like it was a sofa, look out from under the "porch" of my tarp, make my coffee while sitting comfortably... and all the surprised reactions from the tent campers nearby who had never considered hammock camping before. I learned things, gained new insights and worked out what worked well and what didn't.

I get cold so I made a segmented pad extender to hold my ground pad under me. Shug's tip to underinflate my ground pad worked brilliantly. Then I made an under quilt and found it worked much better at keeping me warm. Eventually, I decided that I don't get a really good nights sleep in a hammock and went back to ground. Still love watching these videos anyway. Maybe one day I will pick up another tip that will help me love the hammock.

You never cease to amaze! Thanks man...

Great Video Shug! Thanks to you, I threw my bed away 3 years ago this past July. :-D That would be my bed at home. ;-)

Excellente video! J'aime ta façon de voir les choses et de les dire.

I love your videos Shug. You are just the right amount of crazy for me and that is a compliment. The world has too many serious boring people in it, that listening to Shug is nice change. I have watched a lot of your videos and you have me 90% convinced a should get myself a tarp and hammock and give it a go, but I want to give you some background first. I am not a hiker like you are but love camping and have done it all my life in Canada. So why am I watching videos from a guy who is a hiker you may be wondering. I ride and camp off of my adventure motorcycle and travel up north off the beaten path and camp. Since a motorcycle has limited space to carry things the type of gear hikers use, suits motorcycle adventurers more than those who just car camp. It may seem like a luxury to you , but I have around 75L of space to work with. I have always used a 2 man dome tent simply because it's all I know. You are changing that. What I like about a tent is it has some privacy when changing if I am in a more open public camping spot, it has enough space to bring some of my gear inside like my helmet and riding gear and can keep them dry and bug free. Now you have me convinced about a tarp and a hammock. If you were a salesman for work, I think you nailed salesman of the year, every year. Here are my concerns and maybe you can answer this here or in an ASK SHUG video one day. Have you ever ran into a situation that there is no where to hang a tarp and a hammock and what the heck do. you do? Where do you store your gear so critters aren't all in it (besides food in a bear bag)? If I take my car and my dog who weighs around 55 lbs (why lbs is an abbreviation for pounds is beyond me and metric is so much easier) is it possible to put a dog and yourself up in a hammock (I'm only 5'8") and they are ok with that. He sleeps in the tent fine? Finally, I think I may stick with my current tent which I was going to upgrade this year and spend the $ on a starter hammock and tarp setup and like everyone else I go on Amazon and hope there are enough reviews to get a feeling if it'll be ok. Here is where I am learning for a starters kit. I already have things like good down bags, Klymit pads and things like that so what do you think ? www.amazon.ca/dp/B01KGOVEI6/?coliid=I202X9BHE5VN7S&colid=23TH29YYP2CRR&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it Any help would be appreciated and keep up these excellent videos you make.

one of my favourite things is the learning curve and the variability, been hanging for 6 years and still learning!

You right Shug! Took a long second here without a ton of funds. However with your help and a good amount of time I got it and man is it sweet. Also love a challenge myself.

Definitely got to pick me up a print you do some amazing things shug

I have failed miserable in a search for a better hammock. Of all I own my very first hammock (Simply light Designs 12 ft. double layer/wide) is my most comfy by far. So I have moved on to finding the perfect tarp. All thanks to Shug. Thanks Shug!

I gotta say my first hammock trip was last weekend, 2 nights. A little rough. But just waking up without the stiffness of sleeping on the ground made it so worth the effort.

I have only one hammock.. but I had to get an underquilt.. pads and even a wool blanket under me weren't getting the job done. I also sleep in tents and in tarp shelters. Thanks for the video

Thanks for dropping some hard truths. These days some just don't want to hear the truth. And I enjoyed it as a reminder for working with the rookies. ~Pickl

I started hammock camping this past year and it really is a learning curve. Lucky for me I have made and hung hammocks before but never camped in one. It's not as bad as it seems. Just stick with it and you will get the "hang" of it.

Shug, you are the father of hammocking! 🤗

I went with the DD hammock jungle super light. I believes the name I appreciate all your advice. You are my kind of people. Love your personality.

There is a learning curve. I recently got a Sparrow Dream Hammock. Very good one by the way. Then I learned I needed straps for susppension. Then there are knots or hardware for knots, not to mention what you will use for cordage. Then I picked up a winter tarp, because I want to hammock in all 4 seasons. Now I needed stakes and tiedowns and something to hold the doors closed plus snakeskins. I use hiking poles to spread the tarp out to give me more room. I wanted an underquilt, but they all have 8 to 9 week delays, because of Corvid. So I've been trying an old Thermorest insulated matt and a diy Costco quilt. I start out in the hammock and then my upper part of my body gets a little cold in the wee mornings. I like to be warm not hot and not cold. Some hang a wool blanket over the top and wear layered clothing to help keep the heat in. Then there is the lay. I'm still trying to figure that out. Everytime I try, I end up in bananna mode after a while. I have been trying to test it out in the backyard, even in the rain. I use earplugs for all the noise. I've not had, all successful full nights. I've learned I needed more storage inside and picked up a gear sling. I now have to learn how to seam seal for the tarp pullouts. I'm hoping to hike for a good week and I plan on using my hammock setup. I worry about getting cold at night, but I have a lot of good ideas now, thanks to you and KZfaq. Would you recommend the North Country Trail in Wisconsin or the Lake Superior Trail in late October early November? I live in the Milwaukee, WI area.

I could listen to this guy all day.

Always interested in truth...thank you kind sir...I learned plenty here tonight...I took notes💖

I use most those things except for daisy chains they are the worst. It has not been cheap and has taken a lot of guess work lol. Good to see you back on the tube do to fires out here not as much camping or hiking for me. So I am living vicariously through you and other at the moment.

Hey hey, I was watching your Superior Hiking Trail video, and up popped this video.....good ol’ Shug.

You’re an absolute legend. Thank you for your content.