Here's one for everyone. I am planning a solo hike for Friday night into Saturday and I just noticed that the State Park rules for Virginia say 'no hammocks'. I am planning on being in the backwoods area, so away from the Rangers.
So, here's the question, would you go and hang and ask forgiveness if you had an encounter or would you stop by the park in advance and ask permission?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Chef
There are very few problems we can solve ourselves, but there is almost nothing we cannot solve together.
Most often when someone says they can't, they are unwilling to try.
My feelings on it are that I'd rather be upfront and ask for permission first. Explain and demonstrate that the hammocks we use are LNT and the use of tree straps prevents damage to cambium layer and bark. I'd rather need to change my plans early on and not give hammockers a bad reputation as people who don't follow the rules. It could be that the rangers at the location you're planning to go to are receptive to the idea of hammock camping when it is done properly and not damaging to the trees. Of course you could just as easily be told that you can't hang, and you have to find somewhere else to go.
*Heaven best have trees, because I plan to lounge for eternity.
Good judgement is the result of experience and experience the result of bad judgement. - Mark Twain
Trail name: Radar
2014 Smoked Butt Hang Planning Thread | Sign up Sheet
That's a tough one. Tell them first and take the chance of being asked to leave or stealth hang and take the chance of being caught and asked to leave.
It's true you might find that receptive ranger who accepts what you show him or you might find that power hunger ranger who says the law is the law and you can't hang in his park.
I say go talk to him, it's the right thing to do and it takes more courage to do so.
Depends on where you're hiking. I've stayed in Virginia State Parks a few times and have always hung. Never had anyone say a thing to me.
"If you play a Nicleback song backwards, you'll hear messages from the devil. Even worse, if you play it forward, you'll hear Nickleback." - Dave Grohl
So its now Virginia and Florida State Parks with no hanging....
Call first.
If you don't get the right answer, then you have a choice to make.
He is your friend, your companion, your defender... he is your dog. You are his life, his leader, and master. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of that devotion.
Tricky one... Personally i'd ask for forgiveness. I think the odds that they even find you are pretty slim and if they do just don't give them any trouble and while your breaking down try and explain how the you use tree straps to prevent damage and everything.
I don't know, I'd want to follow the rules ... But it's such a dumb rule. Of probably try to find somewhere else to hike to be honest.
If you think you can get away with it I say just go ahead and do it -- be polite, dont mess up and trees, etc. Think of any valid reason that rule might exist and respect that, but not the rule itself.
Grayson Highlands State park has never had a problem with hangers. Can't see any reason any other state park in VA would, either. What's your source for this intel, BadChef?
"If you play a Nicleback song backwards, you'll hear messages from the devil. Even worse, if you play it forward, you'll hear Nickleback." - Dave Grohl
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks