Leave No Trace

The Hennessy Hammock has almost zero impact and is an excellent example of a “Leave No Trace” shelter. The environmentally friendly design requires no ground levelling, trenching or staking. When you walk away from your campsite, there will be no tent footprint and almost no sign that you were ever there.

Complimentary Webbing Straps

All of our Hennessy Hammock models are provided with complimentary 42" standard "TreeHugger" webbing straps to protect the tender bark of trees. The smaller the diameter of the tree, the more times the webbing straps go around the tree to spread the load and protect the tree. If you need longer webbing straps for bigger trees, you can upgrade to a longer length for no additional charge.

We say complimentary, but what we really mean is mandatory. We will not sell a Hennessy Hammock without a set of "TreeHugger" webbing straps. We have seen the damage that small diameter ropes can do to a tree. That is why many National and State parks in North America do not want hammocks tied to trees. However, I have met with some of the top Leave No Trace administrators from U.S. Park Service, National Parks, Department of the Interior and others who agree that Hennessy Hammocks do not damage trees and are a better Leave No Trace shelter than tents. In fact, some of these same federal administrators really like their own Hennessy Hammocks and have written letters of support.

Every Hennessy hammock Tom has ever sold included free “TreeHugger” webbing straps to protect the tender bark of trees. The smaller the diameter of the tree, the more times the webbing straps go around the tree to spread the load. Because of our example, many companies now supply webbing traps but some still charge for them. When hammock companies refuse to include straps in the price of their product, the purchaser has to decide if they can afford to protect the environment every time they tie up their hammock to two trees. This has to change.

SPECIAL OFFER TO ANY HAMMOCK OWNER WITHOUT WEBBING STRAPS

While we can’t afford to give free webbing straps to anyone who didn’t get free straps from their hammock supplier, we can offer to send two webbing straps to anyone who wants them for a low price. Our main concern is that all hammock users use webbing straps to prevent tree damage.

Hennessy Hammock is a corporate sponsor of Leave No Trace.

Ask any Leave No Trace Travel Trainer what they think of Hennessy Hammocks. The environmentally friendly design requires no ground leveling, trenching or staking. When you walk away from your campsite, there will be no tent footprint and almost no evidence that you were ever there.

How Hennessy Hammock Supports the Leave No Trace Principles

Plan Ahead and Prepare - Because the Hennessy Hammock is light and compact, it can be carried as emergency gear on any hike, always ready to be used if an overnight bivouac becomes necessary, providing a warm and safe shelter in the most adverse conditions.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces - Avoiding the proliferation of camp sites in pristine areas and the contamination of riparian areas is a goal of LNT. Because a hammock can be sited over rock, gravel, stream beds and rough areas, it's less likely to result in levelled areas and damaged vegetation.

Leave What You Find - Hammock users do not need to dig trenches or move rocks, plants and other natural objects. Tree hugger webbing straps prevent damage to the tender bark of trees.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors - Hammock campers do not need to cluster in crowded camping areas or huts because there is such a range of possibilities for overnighting. Many trail hikers choose to avoid popular camping sites because of noise, crowding and rodents. The low key colors of Hennessy Hammocks lessen visible pollution in pristine areas.

Respect Wildlife - the Hennessy Hammock is a perfect shelter for lying quietly to observe or photograph wildlife. Because it is high above the ground, visibility is much better than from a tent and the rainfly can be arranged to provide a 360 degree view.

Photo by Ramon Faddi

LETTERS

To Ann & Tom,

I went on the Appalachian Trail in Maryland recently which requires hikers to camp in designated campsites only. Because of the tenters, the sites were severely disturbed, devoid of trees & vegetation, and the clearing of rocks. It was a little depressing at the campsites because I went to camp out in the woods and 'commune w/ nature'. If only they had hammocks. Less damage by using your hammocks would allow nature to rebound back.

I like to be able to use my hammock as a seat. It took me a while to get the hang of it. I was brain-washed into squatting or sitting on rocks - yeah, real comfortable. Being able to take the strain off my back while cooking or just 'hanging' out.

I know the A/T is really far from you but your hammocks could make a serious improvement for The Trail and all trails. I know I am battling with the 'shelter rats'= those who have to have a roof over their heads. The psychological security of a building instead of being out exposed to nature. I can distance myself from the snorers and late night partiers. The shelter campsites are like "slums in the woods". (I'm from NJ)

The only problem I have with your hammocks is................................................

I keep sleeping too late in the mornings! Hey, I had to think about it.

Thanx again - "crashed"

Hello Tom

"I caught wind of your 'cuddle me anywhere' shelter that passed me on the AT in Maine. Showed me the sack, that's it. Left me standing there like I had an anchor tied to my starboard ass. I looked down to determine the problem and there it was: my six pound tent/hotel. Called the outfitter in Bangor, and after the luckiest day of hitchhiking in my life was back on the Trail in a day after you guys had sent the fruit of your genius overnight (or damned quick). This thing is not just a bit of a good idea. Anywhere, now, dry in the face of misery.....!#%#&!, there won't be any tents left anywhere there are trees in just a matter of two years. Car campers excluded. Everybody that saw the thing went verbal to loquacious instantly. "Low impact" went to "No impact." "Sensitivity to the gentle bark of trees" went to "Coddle a tree" or "Hug a tree" and allegiance was sworn. I'd let hikers in my cool green and had to beat the bottom w/ a dead branch to get them out. Sent them away to get their own. I'm not a Gear Head, but this hammock turns any kind of head that just likes a good idea executed well. You guys and girls don't need good luck, just a bigger building and more machines to prepare for the oncoming onslaught. Just hope you can still have fun when you hit the tidal wave of orders coming your way. Last point.....you can set this up all wrong as hell and it's still a haven of comfort in conditions that give away none."