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

[Floridahanger]

Testing on my Costco Down Throw TQ/UQ combo have been sufficient enough to be satisfied I can reach 32*F. I'm almost ready for HangCon 2018. There seems to be a problem with staging my gear because of some sort of rule not getting near the "Christmas Tree" or something crazy like that.

Chino- To expand on what Gumbo stated, you can cook your lunch at your site(sans burn ban). Just remember to practice LNT since this is a primary function of Florida Hangers to keep our status with the Ranger community pristine. Also, there is plenty of space to cook near the outdoors kitchen area. This is the area where some food is prepped and all food is cooked.

On building fires, BYOFP, bring your own fire pit. A portable fire pit is great for ambience but you also need to bring your own wood. We order our firewood and pay for it ourselves to use for the main fire ring and the lodge fireplace. The firewood used for HangCon has been ordered from nearby sources that use local trees and we want to keep it that way to keep the little foreign bugs away from our forests. Plus, that's how Florida works due to the vegetative crops and citrus trees for our economy.

We like to try and keep a fire going as long as possible to bring the community to the lodge, the center meeting place of HangCon, to bring everyone close together and share our experiences, tell tall tales, and maybe sing a little.

Safe travels, see you all there.

[Timberrr]

​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.

RE: Raffle Tickets: will go on sale at HangCon on Saturday the 13th. As before, cost will be $5 for one ticket or 5 tickets for $20.
Raffle tickets are also available in advance. To encourage folks to buy tickets in advance, $20 will get you our profound gratitude, lotsa good karma, and 6 tickets (instead of 5) if you buy them before midnight 12/31/2017. The funds have to be in Gumbo's PayPal account before 1/1/18. To get advance tickets, PayPal a gift of the appropriate amount to [email protected]. Raffle tickets purchased in advance will be distributed Saturday afternoon. Please include your HF name as a note with your PayPal submission. We probably don't know your real name or your email address. Important: the PayPal note must clearly state how much you're allocating to raffle tickets and how much as a donation.

RE: Staying until the 16th... Anyone who wants is welcome to stay until the 16th, and help us clean up.

[Floridahanger]

From the original OP:

<snip>...
This is a hammocking event. We allow tents as a courtesy (and because we’re gonna try to convert them). Pop-up campers, travel trailers, RVs, motorhomes, etc. just aren't part of the picture. If they would like to participate, they are invited to stay at nearby, RV friendly sites – and come in for activities each day.
NEW RULE THIS YEAR: Tents will have to set up on the north side of the access road (on your left as you drive in, the side away from the lake, next to the tree line). Yes, it could become crowded. Exception: if you need a tent for an infant or an older family member and you are primarily hammock campers then a single tent may be pitched with your setup...<snip>

*Update on grounds condition:

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.
<snip>

"You got it boss".
I will make the first sacrifice and complete a few sets of TDS and save a few trees for my fellow hangers. Our family will camp on the other side of the road using our own "trees". We have a large tent for our dog and gear anyways so this will help the view stay clear.

[richtorfla]

Officially signing up! Vacation time finally approved!! Will be good to see old friends and meet some new folks!

[Timberrr]

Officially signing up! Vacation time finally approved!! Will be good to see old friends and meet some new folks!

WooHoo!! See you in the piney woods bro!

[Floridahanger]

Great to hear, Rick.

What cool contraption are we gonna set up for cooking this year? Maybe an adobe mud pit? Or a solar cooker? Maybe even a block rocket stove oven?

[Timberrr]

Love, gratitude and all around pleasant thoughts to these guys:
Jennie/Moxie
John/Krackerjax
Paul/geoncic
Scott/Cheerios
Jennifer/Sunsetkayaker
Charles G.
Thank you! Very much!! For your support!!!

[richtorfla]

Great to hear, Rick.

What cool contraption are we gonna set up for cooking this year? Maybe an adobe mud pit? Or a solar cooker? Maybe even a block rocket stove oven?

One of these days I'll bring a solar cooker. Still ain't got around to build one yet.

[Timberrr]

THANK YOU, Early Bird and Pheonix6579!
Your support is very, very appreciated!!

[Early Bird]

You're welcome! Thank you for making the wonderful event possible!

THANK YOU, Early Bird and Pheonix6579!
Your support is very, very appreciated!!