AT Advice-Nantahla Forest

[JumpinJackJim]

I've never hiked or camped the AT. Long time camper with scouts, but very limited day hike/backpacking experience. A group of guys invited me to section hike AT x 5-6 days around Winding Stair Gap or Stecoha Gap next July. Can anyone help me understand do's and don'ts with regard to hanging in that area of Nantahala National Forest? They are tent campers, and likely plan to use shelters, which is of little interest to me. I'd prefer to stay away from the shelters and hang in either a designated tent area, if possible, or in some other hammock friendly area. Can you just stop anywhere off trail and hang? Can you hang on periphery of tent sites? I know you can't hang in or on shelters, etc.

I will train like a big dog before going, and am more or less a lightweight camper (20 pound pack before food/water) and would also love to find a couple good 2-3 day training trails originating from southern end of AT.

[Dos]

I hung for most of the entire AT.
Definitely not a problem.
(Just the Smokies, they get a little iffy).

and yes, stealth hanging is an option as well.