Mt. Rogers - The Original Cold Weather Hammock Hang.
Celebrating Our 14th Year!
The Grayson Highlands Winter Hang, sometimes called The Mt Rogers Winter Hang, started in Jan 2007, with a group from the original founding members of Hammock Forums.
We did the first few of these hiking in to the Wise Shelter.
Cold hike.jpg Fire.jpg
Eventually we moved the location of this winter hang to the Group site area of GHSP.
They have always taken very good care of our group and we try to return the favor by respecting the park Rangers, staff, other visitors and the park.
Hick All Hands.jpg
The story behind changing locations for this winter hang site can be found in tales around the blazing group fire!
The Mt. Rogers Winter Hang happens because people volunteer to do stuff! It organizes itself on a Google Spreadsheet.
Please register on the Google Spreadsheet. It helps greatly with planning.
There are two parts to the spread sheet...
Attendees, general info
Pot luck, raffle donations
REGISTRATION SPREADSHEET HERE. Updates to come. Check back often.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...R6c/edit#gid=0
Two parts to Spread Sheet... Sign in and Food/ Raffel
The sheet is set up so you can change your answers at any time if your plans change or if you need to add or delete information. It is more or less self-explanatory, but don’t hesitate to ask questions. Expect it to change substantially, so check back shortly before the hang.
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All costs, the group site, fire wood and port-a-john are covered by the raffle.
Tickets to the gear raffle are sold in camp. Bring cash to buy as many tickets as you like!
$5 per ticket or 5 for $20
I don't believe that the raffle has ever failed to exceed (by far) what GHSP would have charged for the group site as well as take care of the port-a-john and firewood. In fact the raffle proceeds we have donated to the park through "Friends Of Grayson Highlands" have been generous.
We love giving back to such a beautiful state park, especially since they have treated our group so well.
In the the event we were to fall short of a worthy donation to cover our event, we would hope individuals would help add to the donation but I don't believe that has ever happened.
Vendors Sales: People often ask if vendors will be selling at group hangs. The answer is no. The vendors have discussed this and say it's not something they want to do.
But you can see their hammock setups, tarps, quilts, etc. any time during the weekend and during the hammock tours.
Some vendors make raffle donations but they have been so overwhelmed in recent years that we try not to press them.
Also, adds a lot to the raffle when those making the trip to contribute new or gently used things to the raffle prizes.
There is always a pretty nice bunch of stuff on the raffle tables!
A Ranger from GHSP has been selling us local firewood for several years now.
He even stackes it near the fire ring!
Please do not bring firewood from areas infected by the Emerald Ash Borer. http://emeraldashborer.info/
No need to stop at the ranger station or pay a parking fee. They know we're coming!
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Wonder what it's like to do a winter hang at Grayson Highlands State Park/ Mt. Rogers Area?
Mt. Rogers can be an interesting place in winter! Over the last few years, she's given us some eventful times...to say the least.
We have had a couple events were it was not so cold but rainy.
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ds+winter+hang
Group.jpg
A couple years ago the in coming blizard was so intense, the rangers made the decision to close the park and send our group else where.
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ds+winter+hang
But for the most part, the conditions have been perfect for a "Winter Hang".
If you're looking for a challenge with a bit of a safety factor (because the cars are near by), pack your rig and join us Jan 24-27. You're guaranteed to leave with a story or two!
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Organizers: Hickery, slowhike, LD Cakes and anyone else that wants to help.
Location: Group Campground, Grayson Highlands State Park
829 Grayson Highland Lane, Mouth of Wilson, VA 24363
GHSP Office (276) 579 7092
Parking is available at the store and also near the permanent bathroom, a short walk from our hang sites and the fire ring.
The AT goes right through the park for fantastic day hiking or backpacking before or after the hang.
Lat,Lon 36.63974,-81.487355.
Camping (hanging) is in the area around the group camp site and beyond he pavilion, same as last year.
Most of our group are hammock campers but we often have a person or two join us with their tent. That is not a problem.
Everyone is welcome.
Note; One year a few of our folks ventured into the main part of the campground to set up their hammock camps. That is not allowed. We are asked to use the wooded areas surrounding the group site and pavilion only. But there is more than enough room to spread out or be near camp central.
More links:
Park Information- https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-p...yson-highlands
Park Weather and Web Cam... does not seam to be working.
Freinds Of Grayson Highlands State Park- does not seam to be working.
Trip Report from 2017 with great pictures and videos!
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ds+winter+hang
USE EXTREME CAUTION ON PARK ROADS - If weather is snowy or icy, please be extremely careful on park roads.
Even if there is no snow,there may be ice on blind curves where water drains across road and then freezes.
The park plows the roads in the case of snow but driving can still be tricky on steep roadways.
Two wheel drives usually are fine as long as caution is used you have decent thread on your tires.
Go slow, be safe. People behind you will appreciate your safe driving.
SCHEDULE of EVENTS – This hang is less structured than some others. Some people will post about hikes or backpacking overnighters on the AT.
Most will start arriving Friday afternoon through Saturday morning but some will arrive on Thursday, sometimes doing an overnight backpack trip on the AT.
Take part in a hike or you can just hang at the pavilion.
Saturday evening is potluck dinner and raffle.
Bring some food or drink to share. Can be simple purchased items or food you prepared at home or in camp. But remember in can be cold and windy so be prepared to cook in those conditions.
See spread sheets.
Sunday morning people start packing to leave. Some plan to meet at the restaurant about 15 minutes away, for breakfast.
All other meals are on-your-own, but they have a communal feeling, as people cook around the group fire near the pavilion.
A big tarp provides coverage for the fire pit area. Hickery has it.
In addition, it’s nice to have 3 or 4 tarps on the windward side of the pavilion. Sign-up on the Google Spreadsheet if you can bring one.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Family-Friendly Event: We pride ourselves on being a family-friendly camping hang. As an advertised family friendly event, we ask all hangers to use appropriate language and actions in front of our young people. Kinda like Hammock Forums itself so not a big deal for our group.
The Winter Hang is a great way for beginners to try winter hanging. Your car is parked next to the hang spot so you can bring as much gear as you need to stay warm. There are experienced hangers who can show you how to improve your winter hang. Plus you will see all the latest and greatest equipment that winter hangers use.
Bathrooms, Showers, Water in the camp ground are closed for winter. But Hickery has a Porta Potty brought in and sat up in the parking area nearby.
Bring your water from home or get water at the park office.
In colder conditions, water can be kept from freezing by keeping it in a cooler, maybe with a jug of hot water, heated on stove or fire.
Covered Pavilion: Yes! – it is used mostly for the raffle, though you can cook meals under the roof if you’re neat. (It’s warmer around the fire ring.)
There's no better place to see winter hammock gear in action.
Many thanks to the people who make this happen. And to the people who attend who make it worth organizing. This is Hammock Forums' oldest winter hang!
slowhike
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