Spring 2016 13 A.T. Journeys A.T.

Hammock is dramatically expanding along the A..T.. andand raisingraising bothboth questionsquestions andand concerns among Trail land managers, club members, and backpackers. Are really that comfortable and viable as a long-term Trail shelter? Do hammocks pose a threat or a benefit with respect to minimizing camping impacts?impacts? Should we be concerned about damage to trees inin frequently-visitedfrequently-visited sites?sites? Do users create or resolve problems at over-crowded shelters and camping areas along the A..T.?.?

A.T.-Cherokee National Forest, North Carolina. Photo by ATC’s Seasonal boundary monitor Garrett Fondoules pacts from my and experimenting with low-impact practices. I would like to describe the many advantages that ham- mocks offer campers, allay some of the concerns I’ve heard, and include some com- prehensive low-impact ham- mock use practices that will truly allow you to “Leave No Trace” of your visits.

The author in Baxter State My Journey to last spring, during Hammock Camping the final section My first exposure to a ham- of his 43-year section-hike of mock occurred on a trip the Trail. on Kentucky’s Green River around 1970. I was on a Boy outing with my dad and we set up a tarp pulled over our canoe on an island. Several of the older boys were permitted to set up their army surplus jungle hammocks on a sepa- Spring 2016 rate, smaller island about 60 14 feet away. That night it rained hard and the river rose steadily. My dad and I were forced to get up and move our canoe and

A.T. Journeys A.T. tarp to higher ground around 1 a.m., but with again lap- ping at our feet by 4 a.m. we were forced to inside the

Photo by H. Dean Clark canoe with our tarp draped overhead. Aluminum canoe the A.T. has certainly changed I began section- the ribs and a wet al- since 1955 when Grandma A.T. in 1972 in ninth grade and lowed little sleep. At daybreak, Gatewood completed the Trail summited Katahdin last fall I peered across the river to wearing sneakers and carrying after 43 years and 24 section- discover that the small island a homemade denim sack slung hikes. I’ve been using a ham- was underwater, with four over her shoulder. The Trail has mock for the last dozen years. hammocks suspended less seen tremendous growth in use Hammocks offer some unique than a foot above the floodwa- and substantial changes in the advantages over , with one ters. The older boys had been types of gear used. The heavy, main challenge, which I’ll ex- forced to move their external-frame packs that I plain. Also, as a scientist who further up the trees during the carried in high school have studies camping impacts in the night, and tie off their , given way to the lightweight, National and along the but they had remained warm, interior frame packs that I A.T., I’ve assisted in developing dry, and comfortable. I’ve been carry today. While Grandma sustainable camping manage- fascinated by hammocks ever Gatewood used a ment and Leave No Trace since. shower curtain as a shelter, I’ve practices. While hammock used double and single-walled camping impacts have not yet tents, a tarp, a bivy sack, and a been formally investigated, I hammock. have been observing the im- advantages & disadvantages of hammock camping

In 2003, I began using an ultralight hammock, which is uniquely designed for camping. For me, camping hammocks provide numerous advantages over the other forms of shelter. My hammock weighs 2.4 pounds, lighter than many one-person tents, and has integrated -accessed bug netting. A separate silicone-treated rainfly can be attached to the hammock lines, to the trees, or removed. My hammock came with a pair of wide straps to protect tree bark. For me, a chief advantage of hammocks over tents is that I always stay dry — top and bottom. On one of my A.T. section-hikes through Pennsylvania, the remnants of a hurricane passed over me one night. Warned of its approach, I had picked out a younger grove of trees to camp in, with no dead trees or limbs nearby. The wind rocked me to sleep with earplugs to dampen the noise. A predicted rainfall of four inches fell that night, with the ground pooling water beneath my hammock, but not a drop reached me. Even better, you never have condensation problems with a hammock. Any raindrops on the fly in the morning can be quickly removed by shaking it — and you never have From top: Girls with a co-ed Venture Crew of high school students — led by to pack heavy, wet fabrics with rain-splashed dirt or clinging mud. And there are quite Jeff Marion — learn the correct way to a few other advantages: hang a hammock during a backpacking trip past McAfee Knob in Virginia; Venture ❚ Crew youth enjoy their hammocks after Sleeping in a hammock is comfortable. By orienting your body at a slight diagonal to the hammock’s successfully setting up. hang, you sleep ergonomically flat, which easily accommodates both side and back sleepers. ❚ By floating above the ground you avoid sloping terrain, rocks, roots, or muddy soil that inevitably trouble ground sleepers. ❚ In the summertime, it’s airy and cool and you save the weight and bulk of a sleeping pad. Spring 2016 ❚ You can see the stars on clear nights and the hammock makes a great chair or for reading and 15 studying maps for the next day’s hike. So what’s not to like? My chief complaint ❚ My hammock has an overhead internal ridgeline with a mesh bag for storing small items. I use is that sleeping suspended in the air the ridgeline to hang my bathroom bag, , damp socks, and a bottle of water. maximizes convective heat loss — you

❚ You can enter and exit a hammock easily during a rainstorm, and even eat a meal and pack up under sleep cold in a hammock. Fortunately, Journeys A.T. the rainfly. there are several solutions to this prob- ❚ I use “snakeskin” hammock covers that slide over the hammock from each end for transport and lem. I initially tried sleeping pads in the storage — it takes just a few minutes to set up and take down. hammock but it’s hard to position and keep yourself on them throughout the night. When you wake up cold you in- stantly know what parts of your body are off the pad. A more successful option was my purchase of a sleeping bag that re- places all bottom insulation with a sleeve that you slide a mummy-shaped sleeping pad into. On sub-30-degree nights and in treeless areas I set up my hammock on the ground with suspension ropes tied to trees or trekking poles to elevate the canopy and netting. Your hammock be- comes a and you sleep warmer on the ground. Another option for cold-weather hammocking is to use an insulated un- derquilt suspended beneath the ham- mock. For those interested in trying out hammock camping I suggest searching the internet to investigate the many dif- ferent types and brands of hammock and Photos by Jeff Marion methods for suspending them. Attach webbing to trees about six feet Keep suspension lines above the ground, adjusting them up or loose — a weighted hang down in sloping terrain so that a line angle of 30 degrees is best stretched between them is nearly level

LEVEL 6'

30° Spring 2016 16 A.T. Journeys A.T.

avoid trampling vegetation A rainfly provides shelter from the elements

Use only webbing snakeskin covers “tree-saver” straps slide over the (a minimum of 1" or wider) hammock for easy set-up and storage

Choose trees 6"in diameter or larger, with durable, hard bark with little to no lichen or moss cover — 12 to 15 feet apart (never attach to, or near, dead trees or overhanging dead limbs, or set up inside A.T. shelters)

Photos by Jeff Marion Hammock Camping Leave feet apart with no obstructing plied to trees. Ropes and narrow suspension lines a bit loose — a No Trace Practices saplings or shrubs. Never at- webbing cut into tree bark, weighted hang angle of 30 de- The use of hammocks on the tach to, or near, dead trees or leaving ugly indentations that grees is best. Pulling the lines A.T. has clearly grown substan- overhanging dead limbs, or set may also harm the outer cam- tight dramatically increases tially in recent years. I view this up inside A.T. shelters (which bium layer that produces all the shear force on your hammock as a positive trend from the are not designed for side loads). new cells in the trunk. It’s criti- and suspension lines and dam- perspective of minimizing Trees with durable, hard bark cal to leave your hammock aging pressures on trees. I gener- camping impacts, though even and little to no lichen or moss ally attach the webbing to trees more impact can be avoided if cover are best. at about five to six feet above the A hiker relaxes in hammock users learn and apply Use only webbing “tree-sav- his hammock on ground, adjusting them up or some simple low-impact prac- er” straps (a minimum of one the A.T. in Georgia. down in sloping terrain so that tices. As author of the Leave No inch — but wider is better) to Photo courtesy a line stretched between them Eagles Nest Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics suspend your hammock as Outfitters is nearly level. book, Leave No Trace in the these increase surface area and Whenever possible, camp Outdoors, I’ve been experiment- reduce the harmful forces ap- within the barren core por- ing for years with alternative tions of well-used ; low-impact hammock camping always select the least desir- practices. I’ve concluded that able tenting spots, such as the single most important item rocky areas or uneven, sloping of gear in my pack that helps terrain. I’ve heard A.T. hikers me “leave no trace” on my A.T. complain about hammock visits is my hammock. campers setting up over the Hammocks allow you to “best tent spots.” If there is no avoid many of the impacts and space, or the trees are poorly constraints associated with positioned, find and use an- camping on the ground. First, other . Don’t set up in hammocks allow camping adjacent offsite areas as this across a much wider range of could expand the campsite. Spring 2016 locations, including those with Campsite proliferation and 17 sloping and uneven terrain. expansion are two significant Flat terrain is often limited to forms of camping impact that stream and lake shorelines in hammock campers should al- the mountains, locations that ways strive to avoid. Prevent Journeys A.T. are more sensitive to camping late-night visits by bears and impacts and vulnerable to other animals by not campsite expansion and prolif- near your hammock. Store eration. Second, unlike tent, your , trash, and “smell- tarp, and bivy users, there is no ables” by hanging them in a need to remove rocks, woody tree or placing them in a bear debris, plants or organic mate- Pristine site / best practices canister or food storage locker. rials from the site, or to alter Hammocks also greatly fa- surface water flows by ditching. ❚ Consider stopping at a shelter or campsite with a nearby water source cilitate what I call dispersed Finally, sleeping on the ground to cook and eat your dinner. Then fill up with water and hike at least 15 “pristine site” camping, also involves crushing underlying minutes down the Trail before searching for a place to camp. known as stealth camping. This vegetation and compacting ❚ As you hike, look for an area with dense tree cover and few shrubs, does not mean illegal camping; soils, impacts that are avoided saplings, herbs, mosses, or lichen. Walk off-Trail more than 200 feet to apply this form of camping only by hammock camping. find a spot with no prior evidence of camping, preferably in sloping or when legal and you are willing It’s nearly always possible to uneven terrain that hikers are unlikely to see, find, or reuse. to apply low impact practices. find hammock camping spots ❚ If you need to cook dinner then also look for an adjacent area with The prime objective of this where you can avoid trampling exposed rock for a durable site away from your hammock. If you form of camping is to select only vegetation. Along the A.T. these must cook on leaf litter then move flammable leaves away from your pristine spots that will not be re- are generally on existing camp- stove and return them after you’re done. used by others and to leave them sites or in dense forests over ❚ Never build a when pristine site camping. When moving about, in pristine condition. This is the leaf litter with little to no herbs avoid stepping on plants and don’t shift branches or logs. form of camping that I have or mosses underfoot. You’ll ❚ Scatter branches and leaves on any disturbed areas before departing; been experimenting with on need two trees (6 inches in di- someone walking past this spot after you depart should see no evidence my section hikes for the last ameter or larger) about 12 to 15 of your camping. dozen years. As hammock camping be- comes more popular on the A.T., it’s a trend that could help reduce crowding and resource impact at our shelters and ex- isting campsites. However, it could also result in the creation of new campsites, the expan- sion of existing sites, or cause conflicts with other campers. Education will be key in deter- mining the actual outcomes and A.T. Leave No Trace prac- tices could be updated to in- clude guidance for low-impact hammock camping and Q /A strengthen our communica- tions with hammock users. with ENO GM Lane Nakaji

Dr. Jeff Marion is a scientist with the As the G.M. of Eagles Nest Outfitters enjoy and respect the outdoors. We take pride in U.S. Geological Survey stationed at (ENO) — how often do you get a helping others discover and enjoy all that nature has Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. He chance to hammock in the outdoors to offer. I was fortunate enough to thru-hike the A.T. served on the ATC Stewardship Council while hiking, camping, etc.? Unfortunately, and wanted to give back to this community. For many (2005 - 2011) as chair of the Trail and with a growing company like ENO, I am unable to of our users, our products act as a catalyst, a gateway Camping Management Committee. get out as much as I’d like to. I strive to go hiking/ to adventure and a connection to the natural world. In Spring 2016 He was a founding member of the backpacking at least one night a month during the many ways, the acts as this same 18 Leave No Trace Board of Directors and spring, summer, and fall. catalyst. [Its] accessibility to so many Americans is a chaired the committee that developed blessing. But with this comes challenges of funding, and refined Leave No Trace practices How much hiking and hammock overuse, and management. The ENO ATC DoubleNest from 1997 to 2005. camping have you done on the A.T.? I have hammock was created in order to help users enjoy the

A.T. Journeys A.T. hiked and hammocked primarily in Georgia, North A.T., as well as raise awareness and support of this Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Time off is often a treasured national trail. limiting factor so my wife and I usually stay closer to home. Fortunately for us, the closest A.T. trailhead is How do ENO’s contributions benefit only 35 minutes away. the ATC/A.T. and what plans do you have to continue that partnership in the In your opinion, what are some of future? ENO’s contributions help raise awareness the benefits of hammocking (as and support of the A.T. Many of our retailers have been opposed to tent, shelter, or open- great supporters of this program and help to garner air sleeping bag camping)? Benefits support and awareness of not just the ATC but the of hammocking include a deeper, more Association and Continental Divide restorative sleep. I find myself sleeping Trail Association, too. fewer hours while hammocking and waking up more refreshed when compared to What is the story behind the ENO ATC The ENO ATC sleeping on the ground. I enjoy the ease of my DoubleNest hammock? Coming from an DoubleNest hammock hammock system as well as the number of potential outdoor retail background, I always felt that as a brand, was created in order campsites compared to tent camping. Hammock the ATC had unlimited potential. It just made sense to to help users enjoy the A.T. — 10 percent of camping is very low impact and once mastered, it’s form a partnership between two organizations that sales are donated to easier to leave no trace of ever being there. shared the same passions: getting people outside and the ATC. Available at protecting our resources. the Ultimate A.T. Store: atctrailstore.org What drew you to become involved with corporate support of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC)? Eagles Nest Outfitters has been a generous Corporate ENO consists of many like-minded individuals who Partner of the ATC for six years and counting.

Photo courtesy Eagles Nest Outfitters