HangCon '18>Doe Lake, Ocala National Forest>January 12-15, 2018> Hangcon '18

**countrybear** · 12-13-2017, 10:07

I think I’m more excited for this than Christmas as well.. maybe I’ll earn a true trail name!

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**GreenDog** · 12-13-2017, 18:54

I've got to put my big-gal pants on and say that due to a back issue and treatment and recovery and doctor and husband advice...I can NOT go to HangCon this year. I've never been and I was looking forward to it since I first heard about it on the HYOH podcast. But, The drive is too long and I can't take off work to spread it over a few days. I am so very disappointed, but in the long, long run, if I get my back in hiking shape in 6 months or so, I can be on the trails and that is what I truly want. I'll be hanging some at home if my back likes that, and I will meet you all in 2019. Have a wonderful time and hang in there!

**lilricky** · 12-14-2017, 00:01

So looking forward to seeing my extended family again! We had snow here in San Antonio, TX for the first time in over 20 years. Hope I can persuade it to snow there at Hangcon.... you never know!

**Timberrr** · 12-14-2017, 08:52

Originally Posted by lilricky

So looking forward to seeing my extended family again! We had snow here in San Antonio, TX for the first time in over 20 years. Hope I can persuade it to snow there at Hangcon.... you never know!

If anyone can pull it off then you can! C'mon lilricky! You can do it!!

**Gumbo** · 12-14-2017, 09:05

As many of you know, each year we make purchases for Doe Lake with a portion of the proceeds from HangCon. It's the perfect venue for us and we are proud that we always leave it better than we found it. In past years we have bought new appliances, upgrades to more cost efficient lighting, replaced toilet parts and bought equipment for the grounds. It is precisely because we have taken such good care of Doe Lake that the rangers welcome us each year over MLK weekend.

Doe Lake sustained some damage during Hurricane Irma earlier this year. The Forrest Service has checked in with us to let us know about some repairs going on and has said that there are a few trees down. This may mean that folks will have to spread out a little farther around the lake, but I'm sure we will find enough trees. It is a forest after all.

Another thing we will be conscientious of during our time at Doe Lake this year is the main building sustained some damages and we may limit access to one half of the lodge. The kitchen area is available and working, but the main seating area floor is being worked on and may not be fully available by the time we arrive. I'll know more about this when I visit Doe Lake over New Years and will provide updates. Of course the purchase of a new roof is not within the budget we have for Hangcon, but this year it will be even more important of what we can do because a roof repair wasn't in the forest service budget either.

**Randonneur** · 12-14-2017, 18:36

A couple of questions since this is my 1st time at Hangcon.
1. Where can I purchase raffle tickets?
2. What if I want to stay at Doe Lake from the 11th to the 16th? Any special registration with the park?

I'm sure I'll have more questions later.

**KrackerJax** · 12-15-2017, 06:39

Oh I can't wait for January. this is my early birthday present. I just ordered my raffle tix and will get more when I get down there hope I win something. see you all there!

**ChinoUSMC** · 12-15-2017, 07:56

Question... as for lunch, we fend for ourselves. Are we allowed to responsibly use something like a small Bushbox XL (wood fire) to cook our lunch or boil water? It won't be any like a bonfire, but a self-contained fire.

Or will your breakfast be so good that we can skip lunch and roll into dinner? :-)

**Gumbo** · 12-15-2017, 08:10

Originally Posted by ChinoUSMC

Question... as for lunch, we fend for ourselves. Are we allowed to responsibly use something like a small Bushbox XL (wood fire) to cook our lunch or boil water? It won't be any like a bonfire, but a self-contained fire.

Or will your breakfast be so good that we can skip lunch and roll into dinner? :-)

I think one should always be prepared to fend for themselves, but I usually forgo lunch or just snack on some homemade jerky and dehydrated apples or pineapples. The fire should not be an issue unless there is a fire ban in place.

**Gumbo** · 12-15-2017, 08:13

Originally Posted by Randonneur

A couple of questions since this is my 1st time at Hangcon.
1. Where can I purchase raffle tickets?
2. What if I want to stay at Doe Lake from the 11th to the 16th? Any special registration with the park?

I'm sure I'll have more questions later.

1. Information about the purchase of raffle tickets is covered in the first post of this thread.
2. You are welcome to stay until 16th, however you will be drafted as part of the clean-up crew.