Meet the team behind HangCon.
AJ Glenn (Phoenix)
Greetings Y'all! Pheonix here. My hammock journey started in a conference room. I distinctly remember saying to myself, "What idiot spends $300 on a hammock set up?" A buddy of mine had just bought a new SMR Nube setup and was opening the door into the hammock camping world. I've gone through many setups since then, and I'd hate to think what that person back then would have known if he knew the total amount he would spend over the next few years. My first hang, and backpacking trip that I actually enjoyed was Summer's Last Gasp. From that point I was hooked into the hammock community we have here in Florida. I made friends on that hang that have since become like family. My first Hangcon I was blown away. The community that assembled from all over the country was a sight to behold. I told my wife when I got home that no matter what life threw at us, I would always be at Hangcon! Now Hangcon has changed a bit over the years since my first year, and through all the changes it still is the highlight of my year. I hope all that make the point to join us have the same experience. In the grand scheme of things, I have nothing to do with it. It is the community that makes this event special.
Paul Collins (Skunkape)
Hey everyone, I'm Skunkape. I got my start into the hammock scene back in late 2011 when I was planning for my 2012 Appalachian Trail thru-hike. At that time I didn't even know that hammock camping was a thing. While I was online doing some research of different 1 man tents, camping hammocks popped up. So at that point my interest changed and I was no longer researching tents, but then started looking at hammocks. It wasn't until 2014 that I found out about group hang events and saw that I had missed the Florida event, back then known as The Annual Florida Hang. I found out that the next one was going to be in 2015 at Doe Lake, and that it was now being called HangCon. I marked my calendar and made sure not to miss it. I didn't know what to really expect, but once I got there I was amazed at the number of people that showed up. After meeting all the great people there and having such a blast I was going to do all I could to make it back each year after. I have been big into hammocking every since and even started the Facebook group, Hammock Hangers Flea Market and Trading Post. After HangCon 2020 when Phoenix took the reins, I contacted him to see what I could do to help. I ended up doing more of the tech side and setting up pages on the social media sites and making the website. My goal is to do all I can to spread the word of this great event so that it can continue to grow and carry on year after year.
Travis Schaak (Cap'n Carry-on)
What's up? I'm Cap'n. My hammock journey started in 2018, the last year HangCon was at Doe Lake. My wife bought and commissioned a hammock made by Pheonix himself as a Christmas gift, and thus began my new favorite way to adventure. And as my friends put it, "the most expensive way to live like you are homeless". Invited to HangCon by the Pheonix crew, I spent it surrounded by, and getting to know wonderful people. And after that, freezing my butt off at 28 degrees without any quilts or tarp. Who wouldn't be hooked after that? I have made it a point to come back every year since and am now proud to be a part of the event as a whole.You can find me helping out wherever i can, but mostly you will find me in the kitchen. With a culinary degree from Le Cordon Bleu and a number of years of commercial cooking under my belt, it's where we felt i could best serve our hammock family. I look forward to seeing you all.
Michael Moore (Lil'Ricky)
Michael Moore - aka Lil’Ricky: Ricky has been a Hangcon staple for years as well and has proven himself as an invaluable volunteer, even getting married at Hangcon back when it was at Doe Lake. One of the greatest features of Hangcon is our raffle. It really is a site to behold, and Lil’Ricky is the one to thank for its bounty. But the raffle is not the only pot he has offered to stir. Planning, setup, registration, take down, etc. Lil’Ricky helps with it all. Lil’Ricky has been an essential part of the success of this event in the past and in the future…which he does coming all the way over from the state of Texas.
Juan Quinones (Florida Hanger)
Juan Quinones - aka Floridahanger: Every year, especially if mother nature blesses us with some “real” cold temperatures, the camp fire pit is a central hub where people can gather, share stories and spirits, sing to the sweet (well sometimes) sounds of music, or simply catch a bit of warmth from a chilly breeze. If that has ever been you, you can thank Juan for that fire no matter the time of day or the actual temperature. Not only does Floridahanger serve as our master of the firepit he one of our great “swiss army” volunteers who can be seen helping others or wherever a need arises. If you are a vendor, Juan makes sure you are well taken care of and your attendance at this great event is appreciated. Along with the other 873 things Juan selflessly takes care of at Hangcon, he also heads two of other major hangs in Florida: The No Underquilt Hang (usually held in July) and the Summer’s Last Gasp Hang (usually held in late September.
Rick Goodin (RictorFl)
Rick Goodin - aka RicktorFL: Our own Hangcon Cast Iron Gordon Ramsey! Rick has been a staple of Hangcon for many years. If you have eaten anything at Hangcon over the years, it has probably been in some way prepared by Rick. His mastery of camp cooking and Jedi-like abilities with cast iron has made him one of our most valued Hangcon Heroes. From Bear Scat Cobbler to Smoked Pork Butt RictorFL is your man! So if you would like to expand your knowledge of camp cooking or would like a masterclass on cast iron cooking and maintain, feel free to give Rick a holler.