I am about to start a week long hike to the White Mts. in NH on the AT starting at the road below Liberty Springs and walking north to Pinkham Notch. I am staying at official shelter/camp area that have caretakers. My question is, can I use my hammock at those official locations or must I use their shelters or tent on the platforms?
_Pa Hiker_Hammock camping in White Mts
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#1
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#2
I think that they would prefer that you use the tent platforms so as not to disturb the area around the site. If you have a hammock why would you want to stay there? Is it for the company? For most of the official camping areas there are some stealth sites not far away. For instance, just north of Galehead hut there is a good stealth site just before you start climbing South Twin and on the ridge above Liberty Springs if you head south there is a good stealth site for one hammock in just a short distance. I always thought the beauty of having a hammock is that you could camp just about anywhere.
_Big B_
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#3
You can certainly use your hammock in the Whites! No need for a platform. As long as you're careful about where you set it up, considering what you have to walk through to get to and from it, it's better than a tent. But remember it won't work so well at high elevation sites when the trees get too small.
As for stealth camping. Don’t forget that you have to camp outside of the Forest Protection Areas (there are signs telling you when you enter and leave these) and the usual 200’ off the trail. Enjoy!
_Pace_