Washington alpine hang zones (what areas do/don't work for hammocks?) Enchantments?

**ceiliazul** · 05-26-2014, 12:55

i carry (gasp!) about 30 feet of extra 550 cord cuz it's so flexible for different needs. it gets wet in the NW, it gets used as a clothesline often enough to justify the weight, and i can set up different storm pitches too. definitely worth it for my system.

i also generally have a group with at least one new recruit, and paracord makes comes in handy for that too. adjusting quilts and tarps, tying things outside of backpacks and whatever.

**Montexan** · 07-31-2014, 00:32

Nice! I didn't win a pass this year. Seems like it was 1 in 8 this round. And I agree with the statement about weird weather that time of year.

I hung at Peggy's Pond (95% frozen) early this month and plan on attempting more alpine hangs soon. I was a tad short on one side, but some general purpose amsteel finished the job (I buy it from Seattle Marine near the Locks). Look for widow makers. It can be perfectly calm and then later in the night you'll hear howling death winds rushing through the valley about 10 seconds away. Now I've decided to keep some ear plugs on hand; it wasn't the best nights sleep before Daniel the next day.

I plan to hang at Blanca, Twin or Silver Lake (have not decided yet--opinions?) around Monte Cristo in the next week or two. Bring on the alpine hanging!

**Playapixie** · 08-01-2014, 21:24

I'm also planning to hang at Blanca Lake later this summer (my roomie picked the location.) Haven't researched it enough to be sure about hanging spots yet, but I'm hopeful. Let me know if you go!

I have hung happily so far this year on the coast at Cape Alava, in Enchanted Valley (and one of the riverside camps on the way back), and Mt. St. Helens in the Sheep Canyon area (including two nights of tarp-less hammock stargazing off of the Loowit trail right at the tree line...no water fore miles, but the stars were epic!) Hoping to squeeze in at least another 2-3 trips on top of the planned Enchantments trip.

I've been really happy with my Hammock Gear 20-degree top and bottom quilt set so far, down to a couple nights at 40 degrees. Not so sure it's going to be warm enough down in the 30's (likely in the Enchantments in September), so starting to research further options for staying warm. Not excited about adding any additional weight, though...

**Montexan** · 08-05-2014, 18:40

Originally Posted by Playapixie

Haven't researched it enough to be sure about hanging spots yet, but I'm hopeful. Let me know if you go!

Will do. Should be from what I gather in any photos I've seen.

Originally Posted by Playapixie

I've been really happy with my Hammock Gear 20-degree top and bottom quilt set so far, down to a couple nights at 40 degrees. Not so sure it's going to be warm enough down in the 30's (likely in the Enchantments in September), so starting to research further options for staying warm. Not excited about adding any additional weight, though...

My cheap and light methods for warmth (ordered by most useful).

Wear a beanie.
Eat before bed.
Heat a water bottle/bladder.
G'night burpees
Space blanket (you'll see previous threads on it in the search).

**patrick_the_fat** · 09-17-2014, 20:51

Originally Posted by Playapixie

...to the Enchantment Lakes in September...

Nice... Curious how did your trip go? Or still not there yet? I just finished hammock hanging four full nights at Mt. Loop Highway by Darrington, and what a blast it was!

**Montexan** · 09-19-2014, 14:17

Originally Posted by patrick_the_fat

Nice... Curious how did your trip go? Or still not there yet? I just finished hammock hanging four full nights at Mt. Loop Highway by Darrington, and what a blast it was!

Sweet. I love that area; hiked Lake 22 in the rain yesterday. Where all did you go? I'm hoping to still make a hang there this Fall at Twin Lakes through Poodle Dog Pass--we'll see.

**Montexan** · 03-12-2015, 12:56

Last year like 7 of us entered and didn't win. This year 2 of us enter and win a Core Saturday entry pass in July--go figure. Pumped I get to hammocking (bivvy?) works out in this alpine area.

Though with the Winter we've had, if you didn't win, I'd seriously go up weekend of June 6th. I'm betting it will look like mid-Summer. We're still considering it since it's ($5/person/day)(7 persons)(4 days). June 6th would be free.

**Alex MacDonald** · 05-25-2015, 19:04

Dawn, remember Aasgard Pass is NOT your friend in bad weather! pack your micro spikes and trekking poles at the very least. Black Diamond makes a combi hiking pole/mini axe called a Whippet. Also, remember it's High Hunt season, so you'll probably run into hunters who've backpacked into the area. Bet they'd really be interested in our ultralight stuff!

**Playapixie** · 05-26-2015, 15:52

Made it through the Enchantments last September and the weather was immaculate. We only had a Snow Lakes permit so we camped there 3 nights and did day hikes into the core. I was totally scouting hammock sites all over up there though and did see a variety of areas where hanging would work out well, so I wouldn't hesitate to go back with a core permit and hammock gear. Didn't win one this year, though.

It was in the high 30's at night and I stayed warm enough with my 20-degree quilt set, but I also wore my down jacket and a down hat. I take a hot water bottle with me to bed, too, which I think is the real secret. :-)