Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 35

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    Senior Member Ewker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Chelem, Yucatan, Mexico
    Posts
    4,513

    Smokies Guidelines on Using a Hammock

    I saw this and thought it needed to be posted here.


    Here at ATC we have received a couple calls about whether it is legal to use a hammock on the A.T. in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Yesterday I called the backcountry specialist in the park to get the definitive response. Here's what she said.

    Hammocks are acceptable in the same circumstances (when a person who meets the park's thru-hiker definition finds the shelter full and has the appropriate permit) and locations (in the immediate vicinity of an A.T. shelter) that tents are acceptable. It is not acceptable to hang a hammock in a shelter or from a shelter. The park has started noticing resource impacts from hammocks, meaning damage to trees and trampling. She hopes that the A.T. community can work together to educate our fellow hikers about minimizing impacts and following good Leave No Trace practices. If behavior can be changed voluntarily through education, then additional restrictions will not be needed and the freedom to use a hammock will be preserved.

    If you use a hammock, please use a wide band around the tree to protect the bark. To reduce trampling impacts, choose a location where vegetation will have minimal damage (choose areas with durable surfaces like grass or leaves, rather than lush vegetation), use soft-soled shoes, and be mindful of your footprints, especially in areas where there is fragile vegetation.

    More information about hammock camping from Leave No Trace can be found at http://leavenotracecommunity.blogspo...k-camping.html.

    More on Leave No Trace generally can be found at www.appalachiantrail.org/lnt and www.lnt.org.

    Please share this information with other hammockers.

    Happy hammocking!

    Laurie P.
    ATC
    'Classic.' A book which people praise and don't read.” ― Mark Twain

    Who cares about showers, gourmet food, using flush toilets. Just keep on walking and being away from it all.

    There are times that the only way you can do something is to do it alone.

  2. #2
    Senior Member Pipsissewa's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Yancey Co., NC - Home of Mt. Mitchell
    Hammock
    Too many to list
    Tarp
    Cuben with doors
    Insulation
    FlThrwr UQ+DIY TQ
    Suspension
    Whoopies + straps
    Posts
    1,741
    Images
    7
    Thanks, Ewker! HERE is a link to the blogspot about LNT hammock camping. The one above wouldn't work for me.

    Hammock Forums even gets a mention and a hyperlink! YAY!
    "Pips"
    Mountains have a dreamy way
    Of folding up a noisy day
    In quiet covers, cool and gray.

    ---Leigh Buckner Hanes

    Surely, God could have made a better way to sleep.

    Surely, God never did.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Ewker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Chelem, Yucatan, Mexico
    Posts
    4,513
    Thanks Pipsissewa for fixing the link
    'Classic.' A book which people praise and don't read.” ― Mark Twain

    Who cares about showers, gourmet food, using flush toilets. Just keep on walking and being away from it all.

    There are times that the only way you can do something is to do it alone.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Les Rust's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Athens, TN
    Hammock
    DIY
    Tarp
    WL Big Daddy
    Insulation
    AHE/WL/DiY
    Suspension
    straps and stuff
    Posts
    984
    Folks need to know that the GSMNP is also initiating a new reservation system starting February 13 that will affect AT thru-hikers and others using backcountry sites. This system includes a fee of $4/night/camper at backcounty sites and a $20 fee for thru-hikers using the park. Hope that everyone does best practices and that hammocks will continue to be welcomed in the park.
    Les Rust
    "My goal is to live long enough to become a character."

  5. #5
    Senior Member Ewker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Chelem, Yucatan, Mexico
    Posts
    4,513
    Quote Originally Posted by Les Rust View Post
    Folks need to know that the GSMNP is also initiating a new reservation system starting February 13 that will affect AT thru-hikers and others using backcountry sites. This system includes a fee of $4/night/camper at backcounty sites and a $20 fee for thru-hikers using the park. Hope that everyone does best practices and that hammocks will continue to be welcomed in the park.
    On February 13, backcountry reservations and permits will be available at www.smokiespermits.nps.gov. The page wasn't live as of yesterday
    'Classic.' A book which people praise and don't read.” ― Mark Twain

    Who cares about showers, gourmet food, using flush toilets. Just keep on walking and being away from it all.

    There are times that the only way you can do something is to do it alone.

  6. #6
    Member Zombieforce's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Knoxville,TN
    Hammock
    diy
    Tarp
    xenon sil diy
    Insulation
    pad n' mummy bag
    Suspension
    whoopies n' webbin
    Posts
    57
    usually i would complain about having to pay to camp and hike in my backyard but the improvements they are doing to the shelters and trails will make the fee worthwhile for me

  7. #7
    Senior Member Ewker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Chelem, Yucatan, Mexico
    Posts
    4,513
    Quote Originally Posted by Zombieforce View Post
    usually i would complain about having to pay to camp and hike in my backyard but the improvements they are doing to the shelters and trails will make the fee worthwhile for me
    the improvements to the shelters and trails are done by volunteers
    'Classic.' A book which people praise and don't read.” ― Mark Twain

    Who cares about showers, gourmet food, using flush toilets. Just keep on walking and being away from it all.

    There are times that the only way you can do something is to do it alone.

  8. #8
    Member Zombieforce's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Knoxville,TN
    Hammock
    diy
    Tarp
    xenon sil diy
    Insulation
    pad n' mummy bag
    Suspension
    whoopies n' webbin
    Posts
    57
    Quote Originally Posted by Ewker View Post
    the improvements to the shelters and trails are done by volunteers

    Really? I knew the work was done by volunteers but I was told that the money would be used to help out with supplies and materials and such guess I was told wrong and if the fees arent goim to trails then i will just forego the fees like I had planned originally
    Last edited by Zombieforce; 01-30-2013 at 22:04.

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    East Tennessee
    Hammock
    Raven by Dream Hammock
    Tarp
    WL Tad Pole
    Suspension
    Tree Hugger
    Posts
    123
    Quote Originally Posted by Zombieforce View Post
    Really? I knew the work was done by volunteers but I was told that the money would be used to help out with supplies and materials and such guess I was told wrong and if the fees arent goim to trails then i will just forego the fees like I had planned originally
    I'm on my phone; when I get home I find the link that outlines what the fees goes toward.

  10. #10
    Senior Member Ewker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Chelem, Yucatan, Mexico
    Posts
    4,513
    Quote Originally Posted by Zombieforce View Post
    Really? I knew the work was done by volunteers but I was told that the money would be used to help out with supplies and materials and such guess I was told wrong and if the fees arent goim to trails then i will just forego the fees like I had planned originally
    it is suppose to go to 2 new rangers who will check all of the campsites..yeah right
    'Classic.' A book which people praise and don't read.” ― Mark Twain

    Who cares about showers, gourmet food, using flush toilets. Just keep on walking and being away from it all.

    There are times that the only way you can do something is to do it alone.

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

    Similar Threads

    1. Hammock Hanging In Great Smokies...the Official Word
      By mayday in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 30
      Last Post: 06-06-2018, 11:31
    2. 5 nights in the smokies, first Hammock test
      By TroutBum in forum Hennessy Hammocks
      Replies: 7
      Last Post: 05-17-2010, 18:12
    3. Smokies Trip Report using a Hammock
      By Ewker in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 13
      Last Post: 07-06-2008, 16:09

    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
    •