Hey everyone,
I am kinda currently hiking the AT. The original plan was to through hike, as my several years of planning dictated. Then, my dogs got put back into my life two months before my hike. She got a new job, and told me that she would have to find them a new home if I don't take them back. It was a simple decision, as they are my family.
I now am doing a vehicle supported hike. Each day we visit a new trailhead, and do a little bit of hiking. When I can, I also do a little bit of trail magic. This is what gave me the TLB name, two little bits (plus my two dogs).
One of my favorite questions to ask people is "tent or hammock?" It has led to some great conversations. I have been surprised at the number of people who never stayed in a hammock before taking it on the trail.
A friend who hiked part of the trail last year explained his process of making it as tight as possible, because that is "the only way to lay flat". I can't fault them for their views, nor can I fault the industry for people not getting the memo. It's still clear that Hammocks are in need of some PR work. Perhaps a collaborative project video series of the guide to Hammocks on the AT.
Did you know that I saw someone hang from the AT trail s sign? Not only does that sound uncomfortable, it sounds destructive to me, or at least highly sketchy.
My trip up the AT now consists of very interesting days. Since I am moving forward, there are some hikers that I get to keep seeing. It's fun to see someone that you've seen four times. Conversely, I would pull into a new location and the first person would be someone that I saw in the first day. It was the sort of encounter that let me know that "now is where I am meant to be". It is allowing me to build a pseudo trail family over time.
Out of all of the hikers that I talked to, there was one that knew about this site, that knew Hammocks, and could talk about some of the cottage companies. Even though this was a day hiker, it proved that there are some people sharing this addiction properly.
I didn't expect anyone to know what hammock forums is, much less dutchware, chameleon, ridgerunners, and blackbirds. This story wasn't to try to make the case that hikers don't understand Hammocks. I simply was surprised at how little indent hanging has made into the culture, while showing why it's great to have group hangs and events where we can geek out together.
Honestly, we didn't talk Hammocks all that much, but it was very reassuring to have that brief encounter with someone else that "gets it". That was my only hang culture fix, until I got to Trail days and could pester Dutch and his elves. It is my belief that Dutch had a second tent, where the workers would be required to make a few whoopie slings on their breaks.
Dutchware was fabulous and helpful at trail days. There were several questions that I had, which they helped me understand. I feel like they were obvious questions, and they didn't make me feel dumb for asking. That's one of the big things about Hammocks. There is always more to learn.
In another thread, someone mentioned that they thought hammock forums had lost its innovation, its creativity. I feel opposite, and believe that it is pushing against a tent centric industry. If anything, HF is helping to innovate the trail. With the industry learning to perfect ultralight fabrics, how can we not be innovative? I don't see much innovation in the tent industry, when compared to the hangers and their DIY frankenstines.
That's just my view of Hammocks on the AT now. It's just from the people that I have seen, and talking to everyone that I can.
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Originally Posted by Trambo
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