How long until hammocks are banned for good?

[mrh_on]

I still feel the majority buy hammocks for lounging and relaxing but not for sleeping in at camp.

I did the opposite...bought the hammock for camping but I justified the price of a Warbonnet by saying we can use it at our trailer site all summer to lounge in and let the kids read in it.
I don't know if I've just never noticed it, but I recently found hammocks in the camping gear at both Costco and Canadian Tire here in Ontario. Definitely catching on for lounging.

[Bigfoot86]

So far shennandoah national park is ok with hanging and i really hope it stays that way.

Also i love your videos shug, shug, shugitty, shug, shug

Also thanks Dutch for your quickness on the last order.

[ShooTa]

sounds like we need to get the technical folks to come up with a more generic handout on hammock vs tree damage and list the pros/cons easily.
compared to those of a tent and even an RV.

[dejoha]

Wow, it's been a long while since I posted, and getting through this thread was both insightful, interesting, and funny at times.

I've been working with the LNT center to write a pamphlet on hammock camping, which includes a little on hammocks and tree damage. I can tell you from the Center's point of view that hammocks are currently not a national issue that they worry much about compared with the other issues facing our forests and public lands. They do see hammocks as an low-impact alternative, especially when you hang in places that are less appealing to tents.

I can say that from my own insights into the market, that hammocks are a growing trend. Whether or not people camp in them is irrelevant to the issue because hanging from a tree for an hour or overnight still has that visual impact that worries rangers. For the past four years I've seen year-over-year growth in hammocks and hammock-related products. The most telling is at the Outdoor Retailer shows in Salt Lake. When mainstream vendors like Therm-a-Rest start producing hammocks, you know it is reflecting market research.

I also maintain a list of hammock manufacturers, but honestly, I've had a hard time keeping it up-to-date because of the deluge of new vendors who are selling hammocks. A quick search on Amazon is enough to make you drown in knock-off hammocks. Granted, most all of these are basic gathered-end hammocks (the ubiquitous "parachute nylon" variety). There have also been multiple hammock Kickstarter projects popping up. I've reflected on some of these because it is apparent that very few have done research into the market outside of seeing what the big brands like ENO and Grand Trunk are doing and then offering some solution that has actually been around for years in the cottage vendor or smaller markets.

I like SilverSurfer's observation that folks are attracted to the "hammock porn", but most usage is not camping, but lounging.

In my own work, I'm advocating hammock camping and do clinics and workshops to talk about how to do it correctly, both in set-up but also in laying correctly (along with staying dry, warm, etc. etc.). I'm always amazed at how little people know about hammocks beyond preconceived ideas, but many of those ideas have been changing with the increase exposure of hammock marketing from folks like ENO.

I'm sure some of you have seen the growth in music festivals, like the Electric Forest, in recent years. Those places are hammock meccas, and I can tell you that word spreads like wildfire at those events and has helped fuel the market. I work at a University and six years ago you couldn't find a hammock on campus. Today, any sunny day you'll see students strapped up in hammocks all over campus. Brands are hiring "brand ambassadors" specifically on campuses to recruit more buyers.

It is growing. Rapidly.

But hammock camping? Not as much. However, as I said before, camping is less of a concern -- it is the growing number of recreational users that is pushing policy.

[Gadgetgeek]

I had an interesting experience a few months back that I think applies here. I was on a canoe trip to a local and well traveled camping area (you paddle up a tidal river to the campsites) We were restricted to a campsite area that is reserved for schools or larger groups. pretty much just a large communal area far away from anyone else (but with its own dock, and away from the 4x4 track that is the other main access)

Unfortunately one side of the site was dominated by a massive red gum tree, so we all had to stay well away from the bouquet of widow/widower makers. That left the tenters all jammed together, even to the point of being set up along the trail to the main area!
A large part of the area is also marked off to allow some new tree growth. But with two decent healthy trees in that area, I was able to carefully hang, and have a good night right among the saplings, where a tent wouldn't fit.

Part of the trip included pretty strict LNT even though we could have faked it in a couple places, And we had a discussion about minimizing ground impact in areas that are not designated sites.

[OneClick]

It is growing. Rapidly.

I'm glad to hear you say that Derek. In the recent past I tried to argue this point but people always responded "it only seems like it's growing since you've taken up this hobby...you pay more attention now". But I knew that wasn't the case.

Thanks for posting your comments and all the great work you do!!

[Richard Tipton]

At Summer and Winter Scout camps, I witnessed numerous hammocks suspended with ropes and paracord, so many that the Camp Director is getting involved and will probably end up using the LNT guidelines for hammock use as a rule and guide for hanging in the future. Every campsite had at least one hammock strung up and the only straps I saw were my own and one other person, using an ENO with Atlas Straps. I would be willing to bet that all those trees were damaged by the ropes and will leave a lasting impression on the next person to use the site. This is the stuff that leads to restrictions and banning, can't say as I blame them either. My son wants to build a "Hammocks Only" campsite at one of the local parks, as an Eagle Scout Project. As his Scoutmaster, I think it's a wonderful idea.

[perdidochas]

At Summer and Winter Scout camps, I witnessed numerous hammocks suspended with ropes and paracord, so many that the Camp Director is getting involved and will probably end up using the LNT guidelines for hammock use as a rule and guide for hanging in the future. Every campsite had at least one hammock strung up and the only straps I saw were my own and one other person, using an ENO with Atlas Straps. I would be willing to bet that all those trees were damaged by the ropes and will leave a lasting impression on the next person to use the site. This is the stuff that leads to restrictions and banning, can't say as I blame them either. My son wants to build a "Hammocks Only" campsite at one of the local parks, as an Eagle Scout Project. As his Scoutmaster, I think it's a wonderful idea.

I'm seeing more and more hammocks in Scouting as well. Most I've seen, fortunately, are using straps (many of them the Eno slap straps, but nonetheless straps).

[Richard Tipton]

I'm seeing more and more hammocks in Scouting as well. Most I've seen, fortunately, are using straps (many of them the Eno slap straps, but nonetheless straps).

I do my best to educate but not always successfully.

[Mr. Jowee]

Don't bear hangs also damage trees? It's just less noticeable...

And parks encourage those.

Some parks are requiring bear canisters now because bear bags are ineffective. Did bears figure out how to retrieve the bags? Or are people using them improperly? If it's the latter, then there's is a definite parallel between improper use of equipment, impact on nature, and park policy.