Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 31
  1. #1
    New Member mayday's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Maryville, TN
    Hammock
    Castaway Double
    Tarp
    Campmor silnylon
    Insulation
    Peapod and pads
    Suspension
    WHOOPIE SLING!!!!!
    Posts
    27

    Hammock Hanging In Great Smokies...the Official Word

    Hammock hangers- Much has been asked on threads regarding hanging hammocks in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I spend a lot of time there and have many contacts. I have copied an email here that I received from a ranger friend of mine that I told her would be posted here. She was very supportive of hammock hanging! Basicly the NPS rule is "hammocks are welcome...just don't damamge the trees." Here, read for yourself.

    ******* BEGINING OF FORWARDED MESSAGE *****
    "At this time, the Park Service has nothing stated in the compendium regarding use of hammocks in the backcountry. Hammocks create practically no impact to ground cover foilage, as do tents. The issue, as far as impact, would be to the trees to which they are attached. As long as care is taken to protect the integrity and health of the tree, hammocks, in my opinion are a great alternative to tent camping.

    As for shelter sites, hammocks, just like tents, are prohibited, unless one meets the criteria for an Appalachain Trail thru-hiker. Thru-hikers understand that if the shelters are full they are required to tent in close proximity of the shelter. The same would apply to hammocks.

    If you have any further questions, please contact the Backcountry Information Office @865-436-1297, and we will be happy to assist you.

    Thanks for your care and thoughtful planning, regarding use of the backcountry."

    ******* END OF FORWARDED MESSAGE *******

    There ya go! Hang those hammocks!

    Jeff "Moonpie" Wadley
    Maryville, TN.

  2. #2
    Senior Member MedicineMan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Roan Mountain,TN
    Hammock
    Traveler with HNO AirShip
    Tarp
    HNO AirShip
    Insulation
    Leiglo 5/50
    Suspension
    Everything Dutch
    Posts
    5,611
    Images
    76
    close proximity....that narrows it down
    full shelter? so each shelters occupancy is stated at the shelter? I don't remember occupancy placards.
    I've been in the Smokies many times...its a big place, so big you have to wonder about stealthing....

  3. #3
    Senior Member BillyBob58's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Tupelo, MS
    Posts
    11,108
    Images
    489
    WhooHooo, hammocking in the GSMNP allowed!

  4. #4
    New Member Capt-Kevlar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Fl
    Hammock
    Clark NX-250
    Tarp
    Clark Vertex
    Posts
    40
    Images
    2
    Thanks for the great info. Got a trip coming up in a few weeks. Now I know for sure. And knowing, is half the battle

  5. #5
    New Member mayday's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Maryville, TN
    Hammock
    Castaway Double
    Tarp
    Campmor silnylon
    Insulation
    Peapod and pads
    Suspension
    WHOOPIE SLING!!!!!
    Posts
    27
    If you have a reservation you must stay in the shelter. If you are a through hiker you must stay "in close proximity" and can use a hammock! Number of spots are listed on the trail map and online at nps.gov/grsm under camping.

  6. #6
    New Member mayday's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Maryville, TN
    Hammock
    Castaway Double
    Tarp
    Campmor silnylon
    Insulation
    Peapod and pads
    Suspension
    WHOOPIE SLING!!!!!
    Posts
    27
    I have stealthed a few times. The way to deal with the maximum capacity is to avoid the AT during the northbound migration of through hikers altogether.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Rain Man's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Nashville, TN
    Hammock
    Hammeck Netty
    Tarp
    HG dyneema/MacCat
    Insulation
    DIY UQ and UGQ TQ
    Suspension
    whoopie slings
    Posts
    2,907
    Images
    8

    Question

    Quote Originally Posted by mayday View Post
    If you have a reservation you must stay in the shelter.
    Well, not exactly "if you have a reservation," since everyone is required to have a reservation. Even thru-hikers must self-register, if nothing else. But any other hikers MUST obtain a reservation in advance. Right?

    Rain Man

    .
    "You can stand tall without standing on someone. You can be a victor without having victims." --Harriet Woods

    http://www.MeetUp.com/NashvilleBackpacker
    .

  8. #8
    New Member mayday's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Maryville, TN
    Hammock
    Castaway Double
    Tarp
    Campmor silnylon
    Insulation
    Peapod and pads
    Suspension
    WHOOPIE SLING!!!!!
    Posts
    27
    Thru-hikers do not need a permit/reservation...but must give up their slot at the shelter if the shelter is full due to permit holders. Thus "If you have a reservation". Everyone else must have a permit (reservation). Thru-hikers do not need to self-register or have a permit.

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Ala-friggin-Bama
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.1 Double
    Tarp
    MacCat Deluxe Spin
    Insulation
    Baby Orca, Pad
    Suspension
    Webbing
    Posts
    136
    So how do you handle the shelter requirement while hammocking? Specifically, I use an UQ with my hammock (no pad). But if I'm going to stay in a shelter, then I need to also take a pad of some sort. That's a lot of extra bulk and weight in my opinion.

  10. #10
    Senior Member Mrprez's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Sneedville, TN
    Posts
    1,709
    Quote Originally Posted by mayday View Post
    Thru-hikers do not need a permit/reservation...but must give up their slot at the shelter if the shelter is full due to permit holders. Thus "If you have a reservation". Everyone else must have a permit (reservation). Thru-hikers do not need to self-register or have a permit.
    Has something changed? Care to quote your source? According to GSMNP current regulations, everyone in the back country is required to have a permit. Thru hikers do not need to make reservations but are required to register before entering the park and marking their permit as "Thru Hiker". They are also required to stay in the shelters unless the shelter is full and then they are required to camp in the vicinity of the shelter. Again, unless something has changed these are the rules as I know them.

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. Hanging in the Smokies?
      By Ashman in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 8
      Last Post: 03-29-2013, 10:21
    2. VIDEO:Blue Ridge Pkwy Great Smokies NP
      By MedicineMan in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 20
      Last Post: 03-31-2012, 07:22
    3. hanging in the smokies?
      By stevebo in forum Hangouts, Campouts, and Trip Planning
      Replies: 4
      Last Post: 11-19-2011, 23:03
    4. Hanging in the Smokies on the AT
      By Beaudetious in forum Hangouts, Campouts, and Trip Planning
      Replies: 5
      Last Post: 11-20-2010, 09:45
    5. Had a great time on our first "official" hang
      By leeinmemphis in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 2
      Last Post: 10-24-2010, 20:55

    Tags for this Thread

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •