Hammocks in GSMNP

“I see that the GSMNP backcountry regulations state tents are not allowed at offical shelters...anyone know if the same applies for hammocks?”

“It doesn't matter if you sleep in a tent, a hammock, or tie your feet to the bear cables. The rules are the rules.

I've never seen the rangers force the issue though..”

“a hammock is just a suspended tent...i would assume it applies to those as well but as TD said it's not inforced...but, on the other hand, i have more fingers”

“Thanks TD.

If you think about the footprint a tent leaves (especially after many many uses of the same spots), there is a BIG difference between tent and hammock. I figure that area overuse is the primary motivation for the rule which shouldn't really apply to hammocks.”

“And, of course, no one ever tramples the ground around a hammock.”

“Hanging food for the bears?”

“If you think about the footprint a tent leaves (especially after many many uses of the same spots), there is a BIG difference between tent and hammock. I figure that area overuse is the primary motivation for the rule which shouldn't really apply to hammocks.

i can't say i agree with this. you just see less impact because there are less people using hammocks. hammocks compress the bark and stress trees. also, the ground around trees in high-use areas get compressed and the trees will die... it's the same issue that top-rope climbers have with setting anchors on cliffs. the good trees get killed off because of all the people anchoring to them and walking around their base.

there are other examples...

in the grand canyon hikers are told expressly to not hang ANYTHING from trees.

in testing of the ursack one of the ecological concerns was damage to trees from bears jerking at the bag tied to a tree -or- people compressing the ground around trees at choice camp sites packing down the root system. it was found that if you just left the bag on the ground (not tied off) that the bears didn't get the bags open -and- they only carried the bags off a few yards... a classic example of how we create problems in our own minds that impact the ecology that aren't really problems in the first place.

the regs are the regs. demonstrate leadership by taking an approach of conservation and not one of entitlement. observe the intent of the law and not the letter of it. just because a reg isn't enforced doesn't justify breaking it. too many backcountry areas (like red river gorge) have been ravaged as a result of exactly this.”

“I suspect the number limit also has to do with minimizing privy and water use as well.”

“What Yogisan said!

Likewise,
"The rules are the rules."
TownDawg”

“Does the reason have to do with taking up space inside a shelter?”

“The reason for the rules or...?”

“Love how toph just asked a question he was curious about and people are taking a hard edge in their answers. If the rules were completely clear, he wouldn't have asked the question.”

“Indeed...thanks dh.”

“dayhiker, toph,.....are y'all newbies to TT? ;-)”

““I suspect the number limit also has to do with minimizing privy and water use as well.”

If I understand the rules correctly, the shelter limit only applies to those who technically are *not* throughhikers thus there really is no limit...”

“dayhiker, toph,.....are y'all newbies to TT? ;-)”
StoveStomper
2:21:51 PM
7/23/08

Obviously no, but folks need to save the butthole answers for fuego.



If I understand the rules correctly, the shelter limit only applies to those who technically are *not* throughhikers thus there really is no limit...”
toph
2:24:48 PM
7/23/08

True, but that impact is really only concentrated over maybe 6 weeks per year.”

“hammocks compress the bark and stress trees. - jimmysan

lol - hyperbole. Physical damage can certainly stress or even kill a tree, but as long as the tree's bark is sufficient to withstand typical rope use without sustaining physical damage, light cambium/xylem compression on an otherwise healthy tree is *rarely* an issue. Consider so-called "classroom" trees that arborist instructors and recreational climbing instructors use to teach technical (rope) climbing. On a daily basis, these trees experience compression (in many cases much greater than that presented by a typical hammocktent) in the same places, from ropes, webbing/slings, hammocks, etc. After years - decades - of such use, these trees are still perfectly healthy. Besides, sustained pressure on cambium actually causes the tree to grow wider rings at that point.

And though you make a valid point about soil compression being a real threat to trees, I'd wager that mostly, the top-ropers you refer to actually physically damaged the trees with improper anchoring techniques. Heavy equipment in construction is by far the leading cause of soil compression deaths. Trees vulnerable to foot traffic are usually not native or otherwise unhealthy or unsuited to hammocking.”

“Big guys should not tie off to little trees when it has been raining.

Right, HOI? ;-)”

“Maybe, the reason for the rule is because they take up space, that would interfere. Maybe if you were to write them or speak to the rule maker, you would get a answer that was offically correct. Nothing better than a correct answer, lol.”

“GSMNP Backcountry Information:
(865) 436-1297”

“do you even know what hyperbole means?”

“Why would they have a reservation system if there wasn't a requirement to stay in the shelter?

I interpret the rule to mean, stay in the shelter or don't stay.”

“hyperbole - A figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect.
The American Heritage Dictionary

I'd say he knows exactly what it means.”

“The Park used to define the dates for each "thru-hiker" season. They probably still do. Special rules apply during each "thru-hiker" season. At other times of the year the regular rules apply to all hikers/backpackers. However, anyone can request special exceptions(waivers) from the Park Officials at any time.”

“then you are also unclear on the concept.”

“I think hammocks are neat-o. Especially the ones you can lie in! I once laid in a hammock, and was so comfortable I fell asleep!”

“I just read somewhere that their definition of a thru hiker is a hiker who starts at least 50 miles outside of the park and ends at least 50 miles from the other side...
I'll see if I can find it again...”

“http://gorp.away.com/gorp/publishers/menasha/hik_atshelt2.htm

During the spring and summer, two to three spaces in each shelter along the A.T. in the Smokies are"reserved" for through-hikers. Because through-hikers are not required to reserve a bunk in the Smokies, it is possible you will find your "reserved" spot already taken by other through-hikers or backpackers. You may have to camp outside the shelter or hike on to another one. In the Smokies, a through-hiker is anyone who is hiking the A.T. beginning 50 miles before the park and ending 50 miles on the other side of the park.”

“'fool, that's correct. I don't know if they push it though. When trying to secure shelters for a thru-hike of hte park, they never mentioned the rule. I knew about it and asked, and the guy said something like, "Oh yeah, that...."”

“LOL at Gwads. Hell, you too Yogisan.

Thanks for the info everyone and yes, matters like this can easily be resolved by calling the people who make the rules. However, being short of time and at work when the question came to mind, I thought I would pose the question here to those who probably have direct experience with such.

Doubtful that I would have gotten Mutt-type information (excuse me, "perspective") from just any ranger.

*sigh*”