Trip to a store

[swellbill]

I'm not a thru hiker but rather I usually enjoy week-long or weekend hikes. One thing I am curious about though, What do you all do with your packs when you are shopping or otherwise enjoying a non hiking / camping event while temporarily away from the trail? Do you go to the store with your pack on? The Movies? A pub?

[john gault]

That was a concern of mine in the beginning, but after a while not much of a concern, not only because of the stink, but also, I think some part of me wanted someone to take the damn thing. ;)

[Appalachian Tater]

In a grocery store I put my pack and poles in the cart, I'm only using the baby-seat compartment anyway. In a restaurant or bar I take my pack in if possible or leave it on the porch and try to sit where I can keep an eye on it. After a while you learn to live with the fact that you can't always keep it with you or keep an eye on it. Also, as john gault said, it doesn't look appetizing.

I have read and heard that packs are frequently stolen in Damascus, Virginia, so I would never leave my pack unattended there.

I would also hesitate to leave my pack while in a movie because a potential thief could rightly assume that you wouldn't be showing up for an hour to surprise him in the act.

[_terrapin_]

I leave my pack in the motel room or hostel. If I'm not staying overnight, I try to keep the pack with me, or at least in sight. I'm sometimes nervous about the hostel situation, but I guess I've been lucky -- or around honest hikers. If I do have to abandon the pack, I take the valuables with me.

[Terry7]

People who dont hike have no idea how much money your pack and contents cost. I walked out of the Barn restraunt in Atkins because they would not let me bring my pack in. I was the only person in restruant at the time. If I cant bring in my pack then they dont get my money. When I buy food I put it in the cart while I shop. I dont know about you but it took along time to save the money for good gear.

[Sudoku]

I go in real quick and ask if we can bring our packs inside, and if the restaurant isn't too crowded we can ususally put them in a corner near where we eat. Grocery stores often have Customer Service areas where you can leave them behind their counter.

I've just left my pack at the front of the store before... once I left it there in a Krogers and when I left, I was carrying my groceries so I didn't notice that I wasn't carrying my poles. I went back the next day and they had my poles for me there behind the counter! It was weird getting used to leaving my pack, but you'll get used to it.

[Tennessee Viking]

Usually what I have seen, leave your packs at the hostel or motel. Stash the pack at the trailhead, very well hidden under brush and leaves. Usually if let the management know your thru hiking, they will let you carry it in or push it in a cart. If all else, they will stash it up front for you. Or have your hiking partner stay on trail, while you go into town for supplies for the both of you.

[Marta]

People who dont hike have no idea how much money your pack and contents cost. I walked out of the Barn restraunt in Atkins because they would not let me bring my pack in. I was the only person in restruant at the time. If I cant bring in my pack then they dont get my money. When I buy food I put it in the cart while I shop. I dont know about you but it took along time to save the money for good gear.

Ditto. I do not leave my pack unattended unless I'm in a place where I can keep an eye on it. (There was a tiny convenience store in CT where I left my pack outside on a bench for a few minutes.) If I was with other hikers, we took turns watching the packs.