Leave No Trace and Hammocks

[cataraftgirl]

[QUOTE=Alamosa;369540]I sure hate the idea of having to carry "everything" out, but have to admit there are probably times when it is reasonable and necessary. The big difference between people and most animals that are part of nature is that we tend to congregate and re-use the same area more.
I have seen carry out situations for river treks where people re-use the same stopping points over and over. It will probably become the norm in many national park and forest service back country sites that see heavy use.



All permitted rivers in the Western US require solid waste to be carried out. We have to have water tight, cleanable toilet systems, and the river rangers are quite stringent about checking each group for the proper set-up. Most Western rivers also require the use of firepans for wood or charcoal fires, and all ashes must be carried out along with our trash. I can't imagine the impact on the river corridors & camps if these rules weren't in place. As a new hammock hanger, I'll have to start adding tree protection, and hammock site selection into my river etiquette.
KJ

[adkmcmahon]

This is one of the nice things about the Forum. I get a glimpse at what other people are doing in areas I don't frequent.

[bigred72]

LNT

Hammock camping

[Just Jeff]

Since we started this site, I can't remember anyone flaunting LNT principles. I think nearly all of us are aware of it and practice it to varying degrees.

We've discussed the need for scientific studies several times to pinpoint the impact, or lack of impact, of hammocks on the environment...especially compared to tents/tarps and the effect of hanging from trees. Pretty detailed discussions in the archives re: the difference between huggers of different sizes, hollow core braided rope that flattens out under stress, etc.

But we're all pretty much on board with it. It's one of the few things that could be considered an "agenda" that the mod staff agrees should be official policy here. In principle, at least...not as militant as some folks get about it.

[grampa]

First off, I'm on board with LNT principles, and I've been practicing them for years.

But I gotta say, and this may be a hangover from my being a linguistics prof, "Leave NO Trace"????? No living creature leaves NO trace, no matter how big or small. If I gently walk into the wilderness in soft moccasins, and walk right back out, I've still left a trace in my foot prints, in compressing the ground where I walked, in burning the oxygen I breathed (let alone the gas my car burned getting there, etc.).

Would it be so horrible if we called it what it actually is: Minimal Wilderness Impact?

Okay, geeky word choice rant off!

And I delight in the fact that hammocking leaves much less impact than tenting!

[adkmcmahon]

[QUOTE=grampa;369732]Would it be so horrible if we called it what it actually is: Minimal Wilderness Impact?
QUOTE]

Then what would I do with all my LNT T-shirts?