One big Hangaree?

**lar-i** · 09-09-2009, 23:14

I'm seeing all these different hangouts going on all across the U.S. Is there or has any one had any conversation about having one big Hangers Hangaree where all of the groups get together at a central location for fun and good times? Or is Trail Days considered the big get together since it looks like most hammock hangers are ardent backpackers and most of the popular camping hammock vendors have a booth there?

Just Wonderin

**angrysparrow** · 09-09-2009, 23:26

The biggest yearly hammck specific gathering is the Mt Rogers Winter Hang held in January. Trail Days is a big draw as well, but is hiking specific, rather than hammock oriented.

**Just Jeff** · 09-10-2009, 05:56

Hehe - I'll volunteer to organize one in Colorado sometime! It's right near the middle of the country!

Most of our members are on the east coast, though...it would probably have to be in or near the Appalachians to get good attendance. Great idea, though...I hope there's enough interest for it!

Who's in?

**2Questions** · 09-10-2009, 06:43

Looking at the Google map of HF members, I'd say somewhere in West Virginia would be a good place for the event. The Monongehela National Forest just about takes the whole state, we should be able to find a place to host a couple hundred hangers!

**2Questions** · 09-10-2009, 06:44

Ohooobaby.....and we could hire Shug for the entertainment!!!!

**lazyboy** · 09-10-2009, 07:41

Originally Posted by 2Questions

Ohooobaby.....and we could hire Shug for the entertainment!!!!

I think he would be entertaining whether or not we hired him.

**lar-i** · 09-10-2009, 07:26

Well to be honest....a ten hour drive to what could be a possible annual or bi-annual event is much more appealing to me than try to stuff that drive and the camping into a weekend. I work the ole 3rd shift and getting off at the crack of dawn then trying to drive that distance....well it just ain't going to work. But having one big event where all the groups have an opportunity to get together for either a 2 or 3 day hang would be cool. The only problem is trying to do it in such a way that it would naturally come together without all the stress of what it takes to put on a totally sponsored and/or organized event if you catch my drift. Those type of events can take on life's of their own to the point where they're not any fun for the people who have taken on the responsibility to make such an event happen. The community as a whole would have to come together and commit instead of just 3 or 4 people stressing about everything....that's no fun...been there done that! While I do see the potential for something like Trail Days but more specific to hammock camping to evolve as a more organized event to showcase how far hammock camping and the gear associated with it has grown what I guess is the biggest question is has the hammock camping community matured to the point where this could happen?
I guess it could be a possibility to just stick a pin in a map and announce a date and time to have a Hangaree and just see who shows up with what and just wing it and see how it works out.

**Just Jeff** · 09-10-2009, 20:01

Originally Posted by lar-i

Well to be honest....a ten hour drive to what could be a possible annual or bi-annual event is much more appealing to me than try to stuff that drive and the camping into a weekend. I work the ole 3rd shift and getting off at the crack of dawn then trying to drive that distance....well it just ain't going to work. But having one big event where all the groups have an opportunity to get together for either a 2 or 3 day hang would be cool. The only problem is trying to do it in such a way that it would naturally come together without all the stress of what it takes to put on a totally sponsored and/or organized event if you catch my drift. Those type of events can take on life's of their own to the point where they're not any fun for the people who have taken on the responsibility to make such an event happen. The community as a whole would have to come together and commit instead of just 3 or 4 people stressing about everything....that's no fun...been there done that! While I do see the potential for something like Trail Days but more specific to hammock camping to evolve as a more organized event to showcase how far hammock camping and the gear associated with it has grown what I guess is the biggest question is has the hammock camping community matured to the point where this could happen?
I guess it could be a possibility to just stick a pin in a map and announce a date and time to have a Hangaree and just see who shows up with what and just wing it and see how it works out.

I agree 100%...except that when there are more than about 15 people in one area, there are issues of privies, water, sleeping space, parking and sometimes rules on how many people can hang in one area (which we broke last year at Mt Rogers). So somebody has to organize at least that part of it.

But nobody really "organizes" the Mt Rogers hangs. We just vote on a date and show up. JRB started the raffle and a few others decided to join in. We do list who is bringing what for the group dinner on Saturday, just so we have enough of everything...but that's just a rough list posted here on HF. For the most part, everybody shows up when they want to, does what they want to while they're there, and leaves when they want to. Then the cool ones post their pics on HF!

So IMO we should pick a date and location, then get a head count just so we can make sure the campground can support that many hangers. Then let things happen from there.

**HappyCamper** · 09-11-2009, 06:36

Originally Posted by Just Jeff

But nobody really "organizes" the Mt Rogers hangs. We just vote on a date and show up. JRB started the raffle and a few others decided to join in. We do list who is bringing what for the group dinner on Saturday, just so we have enough of everything...but that's just a rough list posted here on HF. For the most part, everybody shows up when they want to, does what they want to while they're there, and leaves when they want to. Then the cool ones post their pics on HF!

This is the way the MAHHA Hang works. Bug-Bait picks a date after asking a number of people what weekend is good. We do a Sat. night pot luck and raffle. People post on HF what they will bring so there's a variety of stuff.

For the weekend people may post things they want to do while there so others can join in. Like Dutch making pancakes, 2Q making Caldera Cones. Day hikes and trips to Harpers Ferry. People come and go when they can. Different people do pre-hikes and post hikes. After the date is picked, it just kinda happens. Plus it's an EXCELLENT area for hangers and the fact that the shelter area is not too far in allows kids of all ages, new campers and hangers to give it a try.