FL > Doe Lake, Ocala National Forest>Jan. 14-19, 2016>HANGCON

**Gumbo** · 01-01-2016, 13:26

Originally Posted by Kanguru

Am thinking about attending but can't commit until last minute due to issues at home with family. Would be bringing one other member. If that is not OK I understand.
Just noticed an alarming statistic on the sign up sheet...295 arriving and 294 leaving. Is food gonna be that much a short supply???

It's me. I may not survive the weekend!!!

**Gumbo** · 01-01-2016, 13:31

Originally Posted by Floridahanger

As far as UQ's are concerned, we have Underground Quilts (UGQ) and Hammock Gear (HG) coming down. I haven't heard if Arrowhead Equipment (AE) or Jacks-R-Better (JRB) are coming down.

That's the 4 quilt makers off the top of my head. No disrespect meant to any other quilt makers.

Actually, UGQ has a family conflict and will not be coming down this trip. There are a few vendors there who will be happy to talk to you about their gear and take orders of course, but we have to be careful about selling in a National Forrest (their rules, not ours).

As such this year there can be no selling at the gear swap, if gear changes hands for money, I don't want to see it and I don't want the rangers seeing it either. In short, I'm sure some money will be changing hands, but be discrete about it.

**Gumbo** · 01-01-2016, 14:37

Just got back home from our annual New Year's Recon trip to Doe Lake. Couple of things to post to keep in mind. We have new hosts this year. Dennis and his wife are volunteering at the Lake George Ranger Station now. The new hosts seem wonderful, but all the same Tim and I spent some time with them to prepare them for our group.

So here is what I can share for now: There are only 2 small fire rings at Doe Lake other than the large 8 ft. community ring. ANYONE planning to build a fire needs to have a fire ring.

With over three hundred attendees on Saturday, EVERYONE must come sign in before you do anything else. No exceptions, if you haven't signed in, you may be asked to leave because the sign in sheet is also a liability release. EVERYONE must sign in. For those bringing a group or have kids coming who are under 18 years of age (that you are not the legal guardian of), please send a PM to either Timberrr or Gumbo with your email address so that we can get a release to you for their legal guardian to sign. This is one of the main reasons Timberrr has been asking that organized groups contact him.

Bear in mind that we are not trying to make rules for the sake of making rules and really do strive to keep our rules to a minimum. Signing in and adhering to the parking policies are of utmost importance when managing groups this large. For these two issues there are no exceptions.

Thanks in advance for your enthusiasm and compliance. I already know everything is going to be fine, but everything runs most smoothly when everyone knows what to expect.

Less than 2 weeks?!! Can you believe it! It's finally nearly almost certainly here!!!!

**MightyMouse** · 01-01-2016, 15:24

Doesn't seem like too much to ask. Thank you for all your hard work - see you soon!!!

**Floridahanger** · 01-01-2016, 18:19

Good to hear they are still receptive to our camping style. You and Tim are great Ambassadors for us hammocking fools. "What, sleeping in a hammock....overnight? Are you crazy?" Yes. Yes we are. And very comfortable as well.

Ok, rules are nice so I don't go all crazy all over the place. I will stick to making only 2 fires