Ontario Hang - Aug 20-22 2010, Bon Echo Provincial Park

[BrianWillan]

Greetings Everyone

The time is fast approaching for the first Ontario Hammock Hang.

For those that missed the original discussions, visit either of these 2 threads.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=14759
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=16165

The location is on the Abes and Essens Lakes trail at Bon Echo Provincial Park. We have 2 adjacent back country camp sites reserved at this point.

1) The pricing is $9.50 per person per night.
2) The people who reserved the sites are already paid up, the others that are joining them will pay at the park when they get there.
3) There is also a max of 6 people per back country site.
4) There is also only 1 car parking spot per site (goes to the one who booked the site). So there is also an additional daily parking charge for extra vehicles. So if there are groups of people coming from the same area, car pool if you are so inclined.

Note Well. I have not been to these sites before, so I cannot guarantee that there will be enough suitable trees for everyone or anyone to hang from. So it would be best to prepare to sleep on the ground.

So now that is out of the way, we now need to determine who is actually coming to the hang and start assigning them to the 2 sites in question. If we discover more than 12 are confirmed as coming then, a third person will have to step forward to book an additional site on the trail.

So I have booked 1 site and Sk8rs_dad has the other site booked as of now.

Chime in if you are definitely going to show up for this hang.

Cheers

Brian

[jefftrex]

yes am I coming, put me down for one. looking forward to it.

[Chard]

Count me in...

I't would be better for me if I could get a ride from Toronto (Fri-Sun), sharing the expenses of course, but can arrange transport if required.

Looking forward to it.

Group gear? Do we need 6 kitchen tarps, saws, axes and grills per site?

[BrianWillan]

Group gear? Do we need 6 kitchen tarps, saws, axes and grills per site?

Clearly the answer to that is no we don't need 6 of everything you mention. Do remember that this trail is a 17km loop so at worst the campsites would be 8.5 km from the trailhead (since you can hike the trail in either direction). So if you want to backpack in with a grill, axe, etc then be my guest.

From the description of the back country sites, we get tent space, a picnic table and a toilet near by. I wouldn't expect a fire pit to be available given that it wasn't mentioned.

I know I am planning on bringing my own cook kit for breakfast from the hammock as Shug puts it. I think that things should be kept simple since there is an element of the unknown with these sites at this time.

Cheers

Brian

[Chard]

Cool. Just throwing it out there.

I wasn't planning on anything more that a Laplander Saw. Certainly no grill. If the weather looks really bad and there isn't a fire ban, then a 4m x 4m light group tarp (1.5lb) and a light axe (maybe @ 2.5 lbs) might be appreciated. For cooking, I'm thinking about trying out a couple of homemade pop-can alcohol stoves and perhaps a "Bush-Buddy" type stove.

Anyways, I'll throw my stuff in the car and decide when we get there.

Incidentally, I just gave the park a call was told to expect firepits and dense woods by a small lake. As you say, prudence dictates we be ready to "go-to-ground" if necessary.

Cheers

[sk8rs_dad]

Put me down for 2, my son and I (what would a sk8rs_dad be without a sk8r ) I sure hope we don't have to go to ground on hammock hangout. I haven't slept on the ground in years.

I'm coming from Ottawa and should have room for another couple of people.

[BrianWillan]

Great stuff here people.

Looks like were are up to 5 so far and can evenly spread them out among the 2 sites that are booked so far.

It would truly be a pity if we did have to go to ground. Although once on site and out of view of the park rangers.... improvise, adapt and overcome does come to mind. ;-)

Cheers

Brian

[BrianWillan]

I guess everyone in Ontario must be on vacation this week. ;-)

Total count so far is 5 people.

Cheers

Brian

[Bubba]

Unfortunately I cannot get my shifts covered. Wish I could go. Have fun everyone!

[BrianWillan]

Unfortunately I cannot get my shifts covered. Wish I could go. Have fun everyone!

Thanks Odds. Too bad that you can't get the time off to attend. There is always the next hang.

Cheers

Brian