[_hamilton]

I've had a severe bad spell of hanger/derailleur issues. In the last three rides I've trashed three hangers,a chain and two rear derailleurs. I had just rebuilt my Hollowpoint with a new hanger and XT derailleur and old (newish)chain. I went for a test ride and it was slipping a little on the cassette. I cut the ride short and was heading home (not even on trails) when I hear this crunching commotion. Oh crap! Not again. The chain link had broken and somehow destroyed my new derailluer. The last two rides there were sticks to blame, but this was just bad luck beyond the norm. At least some guy with a bike rack gave me a lift closer to home.
Back on the hardtail for a while.

 

[Speedub.Nate]

That's some suck-ass luck, brother! Time to start carrying a spare hanger or at the very least a chain breaker in your pack -- worst case scenario you can singlespeed it back out.

After a couple of run-ins with pesky Shimano chain pins and breakages on the trail, I made the switch to SRAMs then bottom-of-the-barrel PC-59 (with Power Link) and haven't looked back. Even though each of my bikes is now SS-esq internally geared, you'll still find a Power Link-equipped SRAM 9 speed chain on each.

I also wouldn't hesitate to run a medium cage derailleur on a Hollowpoint for some extra ground/obstruction clearance. You give up about half the range of your cassette while in the granny ring, lest you drop your chain due to lack of tension, but you otherwise retain the full useable range of gearing.