GSMNP hammock contradiction...

[MississipVol]

Actually, they changed this when they implemented the new system. All sites/shelters have to be reserved now.

You're right! I forgot they changed that a couple of years back.

[designerider]

Thanks everyone for the input. I am fairly well set up to sleep in the shelter... Scratch that. I'm fairly well set up to lie on my back all night in misery listening to mice scamper around me and other hikers snore. I think I'll just wait till way after dark to break out my sleeping gear. If a ridge runner does stop by to check on things, I'll do my best to sell it.

[Sweeper]

That is basically what I did each night, and it worked perfectly. Since I used a light weight pad (thermarest neoair), it only cost me ~1 lb extra to carry. The night I slept in the shelter I just used my TQ as a bag. No worries at all, other than the stereo snoring on either side of me that I could NOT block out even with ear plugs!