Permission or Forgiveness

[Badchef]

I asked for permission, got a big thank you from some of the Rangers and showed them the tree straps and hammock setup.

The next step is to get a special use permit from the Chief of Law Enforcement for the park. As you will see in the letter text below, I am asking for use until the end of April for all HF members.

Dear Ms. Sirk-Fear:

I am part of a group of outdoor enthusiasts called the Hammock Forums. The Hammock Forums is dedicated to the promotion of the use of hammocks as an alternative to sleeping on the ground, while adhering to the Leave No Trace principles and limiting the footprint used while enjoying the outdoors.

I stopped by the Ranger office this afternoon and had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Ballam and Ms. Cohen. They suggested that I write to you with a request for a Special Use Permit for our group.

We understand that the park rules currently state that "Ropes, clotheslines, tent lines, hammocks and nails are not to be attached to trees or other vegetation." We understand this rule and agree that the hanging of these items using rope around the trees would damage the bark and the inner cambium of the trees.

In order to live by the Leave No Trace Principles, we have found is that the use of straps that are a minimum of 1-1/2" wide wrapped around the tree help to prevent any damage to the tree and have promoted this widely within our group. This has allowed us to gather and camp in our hammocks in many State and National Parks, including an annual event at Mt. Rogers in the Grayson Highlands of SW Virginia.

We are asking for a special use permit to allow for our group to camp in the Chopawamsic Backcountry in small groups of 1-15 people between March 16, 2012 and April 30, 2012. The groups would gather and only camp in short stays of a maximum of 2-3 days, mostly on weekends and would abide by all other park rules, checking in with the Ranger office prior to any event.

I have shown Mr. Ballam one of the straps that we use to hang the hammock and am willing to stop by the park office at your convenience to give you a demonstration, if you would like.

I look forward to your response and am available to answer any questions that you might have regarding this request.

Respectfully,

Scott Nichols
Fredericksburg, VA

According to Mr. Ballam, I should have a response within the next couple of days. He said that he would lobby for the permit.

I'll keep you posted.

Chef

[FireInMyBones]

Great. Thank you for the update. I'll be looking forward to hearin how your letter was accepted. I guess I'd be out of luck with my 1" straps though.

[Rooster]

Well done.

[Badchef]

Great. Thank you for the update. I'll be looking forward to hearin how your letter was accepted. I guess I'd be out of luck with my 1" straps though.

Only if they are carrying rulers. Think militant nuns

[FireInMyBones]

Think militant nuns

I don't think I want to.

[Sweetspot]

Badchef,

That is a perfect example of how these type of situations should be handled, and why I was drawn to HF - good, wholesome people. I have a feeling the "karma" effect will soon follow.

[Stormstaff]

Good luck Badchef. Between Rev & yourself (and others I'm sure), maybe we'll get a movement going.

/crosses fingers

[angrysparrow]

Nice approach. I think that's a classy way to handle the situation.

I'm afraid that I do have a disagreement with some of what you wrote, though.

I am part of a group of outdoor enthusiasts called the Hammock Forums. The Hammock Forums is dedicated to the promotion of the use of hammocks as an alternative to sleeping on the ground, while adhering to the Leave No Trace principles and limiting the footprint used while enjoying the outdoors.

Hammock Forums is in fact not dedicated to promoting hammocks. We're dedicated to discussing and educating, but not promoting. Advocacy is best left to specialized advocacy groups.

I support your cause personally, but think the above is an important distinction.

[Catavarie]

If all else fails then I say we initiate plan "Occupy da Woodz yall"

[NCPatrick]

Please be sure to run it by the admins and moderators here first before you plan to speak on behalf of HF. Nice letter though Badchef! I also support your cause personally.