Trail concerns, safety for property

[House of Payne]

Thru-hiker in planning here. I have posted several questions in other sections to prepare in my planning. During a brief daydream today I came up with another one, it's about property security, namely my backpack (and it's contents) I have not read many complaints with stolen gear but I'm sure it happens...

I know I will be passing through many towns and shelters and such. My question is how thru-hikers keep their gear safe when it's not on their back. IE: Hostels, when one goes into town without the bag how do you keep it safe when there are many others staying in the same hostel? When one grocery shops, do you keep the bag in the cart with you? umm, how about something simple like just being at a shelter with others, it's just too easy for a sticky fingered smiling unassuming hiker to grab something I will not notice until the next day or longer.

I might sound a bit paranoid here but I'm sensative about having things taken from me without permission. Someone ease my mind please...

thanks

[Red Hat]

I've been out on the trail every year since 2003 and have never had a problem. I have heard of it occasionally, but very rare. I leave my stuff in the hostel when I go to the stores, leave my pack hung in the shelter, and don't worry about it. The only place where I wouldn't leave my stuff is at The Place in Damascus, but I never stay there anyway. Use your head, trust your gut, and stop worrying.


when shopping, my pack is back at the motel or hostel, so I don't worry about it. I wouldn't take it in a grocery story anyway, it probably stinks more than you realized.

[weary]

I've been out on the trail every year since 2003 and have never had a problem. I have heard of it occasionally, but very rare. I leave my stuff in the hostel when I go to the stores, leave my pack hung in the shelter, and don't worry about it. The only place where I wouldn't leave my stuff is at The Place in Damascus, but I never stay there anyway. Use your head, trust your gut, and stop worrying.


when shopping, my pack is back at the motel or hostel, so I don't worry about it. I wouldn't take it in a grocery story anyway, it probably stinks more than you realized.
Red Hat has it about right. Thefts on the trail is extremely rare. There are occasional town thefts. But not enough to have ever caused me to fret about the possibility. It's like my house in this rural town. I locked my doors for a week or two 20 years, or so, ago after someone stole part of my stereo. But it didn't last very long. Life is too important to freak out over such possibilities.

[emerald]

Go shopping with someone you trust and take turns shoppng and watching packs. You will want to repackage many things purchased. It will give you something to do while you wait.

There might also be occasional opportunities to do laundry while you shop. Such an opportunity exists at Hamburg, Pennsylvania.