Hammock Fatality...sad

[psyculman]

Tragic. Here's the full writeup from NHF&G:
https://nhfishgame.com/2021/05/28/ov...er-wilderness/

I searched but couldn't find any mention of the trees he was using--psyculman, do you have more info on this? We did have a big storm system with gusts up to 50/60 mph blow through on Wednesday, the day before this occurred. Another possibility is a storm-damaged tree.

Regardless, rest in peace Mr. Murphy.

No, just the information in the NHF&G report. Some sort of disease or insect killed off big swaths of White birch a few years ago. The oldest trees are now coming apart because of rot and natural decay. I searched for more information about this, but have not found anything yet.

dead birch.jpg

[Rhody Seth]

Very sad and as I hang up there I'll be even more wary going forward.

[brutalguyracing]

Yes very sad indeed
At least he went out doing something he loved
Rip
Just remember do the best you can for site selection
The most dangerous thing you do by far is driving to the trail head
Be safe everyone

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[sideshowraheem]

Very sad to hear and an important reminder for all hammock hangers.

I'm just getting back from a trip and had a hell of a time finding a good spot to hang. There were some properly spaced birch trees but I ruled them out as I've been told over and over to not hang from them. Then I saw a standing mostly dead pine and was desperate enough that I considered it. I put my strap around it and gave it a tug and could see the WHOLE tree root ball and all sway and shimmy as I tugged at it. I noped out right there and found another spot that was way closer than I would've liked, but I still slept great and lived for another day.

[SilvrSurfr]

Just saw an article in NY Post that said he was hanging from a spruce tree that fell on him.

https://nypost.com/2021/06/01/new-ha...while-on-hike/

A spruce tree? Seems like you could tell that a spruce tree was no longer alive, by the simple fact it was no longer green. Maybe spruce trees can rot from the inside.