Spreadsheet for good hang spot info?

**Playapixie** · 06-18-2015, 16:50

Anyone know of any database or spreadsheet that shows how good certain trails and backcountry destinations are for hammock camping?

I'm a Washington backpacker who has mostly switched to hammock camping, and while I'm getting kind of good at predicting which areas will work for hammocks, sometimes I'm wrong (it took me 2 hours to find a suitable spot for just one hammock at Rampart Lakes two weekends ago, for example.) I always try to include how hammock-able a hike was when I write trip reports on the Washington Trails Association website, but I haven't yet found any place to find this kind of information reliably.

I was thinking a spreadsheet that we can all add hikes/destinations and a hammock-worthiness-rating to would be neat.

Does that already exist?

Would other people use it?

**pgibson** · 06-18-2015, 16:56

Being as there are so few hammockers out west and we are so spread out it would take a very long time to build up much of a data base. The flip side is that the more you hang and the more creative you work to think the less places there are that you can not hang.

**Nodust** · 06-18-2015, 17:01

Originally Posted by Playapixie

Anyone know of any database or spreadsheet that shows how good certain trails and backcountry destinations are for hammock camping?

I'm a Washington backpacker who has mostly switched to hammock camping, and while I'm getting kind of good at predicting which areas will work for hammocks, sometimes I'm wrong (it took me 2 hours to find a suitable spot for just one hammock at Rampart Lakes two weekends ago, for example.) I always try to include how hammock-able a hike was when I write trip reports on the Washington Trails Association website, but I haven't yet found any place to find this kind of information reliably.

I was thinking a spreadsheet that we can all add hikes/destinations and a hammock-worthiness-rating to would be neat.

Does that already exist?

Would other people use it?

It would be great, but PG may be right. Of course everything has to start somewhere.

I just ask here. Always amazed how no matter what trail I want to hike in a camp someone here has done it and gives great info.

**Wolfman** · 06-23-2015, 18:34

Hi Playapixie, I don't know of a list, but I hike a fair amount and like you can usually tell if an area is going to work or not. You can also try NWHiker.net lots of good information there and really friendly people. If your ever looking for hiking buddies shoot me a pm here or on NWHikers.net, I hike a lot off Hwy 2 and the ONP.

Wolfman

**BCoop** · 06-24-2015, 00:02

As long as I'm below treeline, I can usually get a decent hang. I takes an eye like PG stated, but I wouldn't say it's any harder than finding a suitable ground site either. I sometimes take my "Insurance" straps and extra line if I think the trees will be bigger or spread out.

**bbauer09** · 07-15-2015, 18:11

I am new to the world of hammocks, but I would love this. It might be a good idea to put one together? I would contribute as much as possible, at least for the Northern California Spots I find..

**Montexan** · 07-16-2015, 18:42

Originally Posted by BCoop

I sometimes take my "Insurance" straps and extra line if I think the trees will be bigger or spread out.

Playa has the same issues I do. And it's not the big trees. We end up in alpine areas with comically bendy trees. And only after you've ruled out the ones below talus fields, lightning damaged, high-wind zone and spanning boulders. But if I had to start somewhere, I'd snag the top couple dozen off Ira Spring's 100 Hikes in Washington's Alpine Lakes or his 100 Classic Hikes and Beckey's Alpine Guide, then list: hammock yes/no, elevation you can effectively hammock, suggested gear and difficulty.

I'll have my hammock in the Enchantments Core--fairly certain I'll be bivying half the time. But if I get to hang, I'll mark my sites in the GPS.

**Moose** · 07-16-2015, 18:55

I usually in the Daniel Boone Nationl forest so there a always a place to hang as long as the forest service has not roped it off due to so many ground dwellers impacting the area to much or a bunch of people decided to camp 10 feet from the trails.

**BCoop** · 07-16-2015, 20:10

I have yet to encounter "bendy" trees, but also have not set up at high elevation(aside from Peggys Pond, thanks for the info Montexan). Wouldn't having longer straps still help mitigate the problem, at least being able to expand possible sites to a bigger tree span? I have used my trekking poles to push straps up a tree across a big span. I may encounter this next weekend beyond dishpan gap, hoping to find a hang spot up high.

Yes a workable spread sheet or maybe a "searchable" sticky post by region with some pertinent info would be pretty cool.

**Montexan** · 07-16-2015, 22:59

Originally Posted by BCoop

Wouldn't having longer straps still help mitigate the problem, at least being able to expand possible sites to a bigger tree span? I have used my trekking poles to push straps up a tree across a big span.

Oh yah, longer straps are a must. You'll find the bendies by the alpine lakes, usually near that perfect rock outcropping surrounded by water with killer peak views. You think it's a perfectly good tree and seems super solid, but no.

BTW, were the skeeters bad at Peggy's?