Shelter Graffiti

[zero day]

On a recent section hike I was appalled at the level of graffiti on the shelter walls—even the relatively new Mountaineer Falls shelter. Some of this resembles gang graffiti most commonly seen on the sides of rail cars. What’s with this? I am thinking there people on the trail for the wrong reasons, possibly including some thru hikers.

[Montana Mac]

When I was a kid my father had a saying:

“Fools names as faces are often found in public places”

It still holds true today, but now its just not their names

[garlic08]

Yeah, I'll join you in that rant. That was one of the reasons I did not stay in shelters on my hike, many of them just didn't feel like nice places--grafitti, trash, TP strewn about, food left for scavengers. Some idiot put his name on every shelter I saw in the northernmost 200 miles (maybe a SOBO I passed along the way), so yes, long distance hikers are definitely part of the problem, too.

My dad always said don't complain about it unless you're doing something about it. I carried small litter out, but I didn't know what to do about the grafitti without a paintbrush or sander. The maintainers have my infinite respect and gratitude for what they're faced with.

[KG4FAM]

Some idiot put his name on every shelter I saw in the northernmost 200 miles (maybe a SOBO I passed along the way), so yes, long distance hikers are definitely part of the problem, too.

"Cubby 08" carved in huge letters

[Lone Wolf]

it's just graffiti. it ain't gonna ruin your nights sleep

[Lyle]

Agree with LW.

Some of the graffiti is humorous and interesting reading, some may be historical in some respects. I will say, if I ran into gang-type it would be a disappointment but not the end of the world. Graffiti is better in the shelters and on tables than it would be on trees or rocks.

Some in the AT community consider the shelters themselves an abomination, so graffiti is just an incremental assault.

Better off without some of it? Sure. A major problem? Probably not.

[Lone Wolf]

Some in the AT community consider the shelters themselves an abomination, so graffiti is just an incremental assault.

Better off without some of it? Sure. A major problem? Probably not.

shelters, fire pits and the areas around shelters are a scar

[Blissful]

The graffiti in privies can be quite interesting.

[hperry]

On a recent section hike I was appalled at the level of graffiti on the shelter walls—even the relatively new Mountaineer Falls shelter. Some of this resembles gang graffiti most commonly seen on the sides of rail cars. What’s with this? I am thinking there people on the trail for the wrong reasons, possibly including some thru hikers.

this is probably a great irony of the shelter system. The types of folks who carve or paint grafitti at the shelters are the types who probably wouldn't have came had the shelters not been there. so are the shelters themselves to blame for their own graffiti?

ponder over that one a while.

[ki0eh]

so are the shelters themselves to blame for their own graffiti?

Quite possibly, but so are rocky viewpoints - they often attract graffiti in PA.

[emerald]

The types of folks who carve or paint grafitti at the shelters are the types who probably wouldn't have came [sic] had the shelters not been there. So are the shelters themselves to blame for their own graffiti?

No, but I frequently see this type of illogical argument here by the anti-shelter crowd. One who buys this reasoning might also conclude that rocks painted by the same kind of people are to be blamed for the graffiti on them.

So, therefore, we ought to remove all the rocks from the backcountry!

Obviously, it's the people who engage in this activity who are to be blamed. I find it disappointing so many here seem willing to condone this kind of backcountry "art."

[Lone Wolf]

this is probably a great irony of the shelter system. The types of folks who carve or paint grafitti at the shelters are the types who probably wouldn't have came had the shelters not been there.

correct. those that use them are generally afraid of the woods, bugs, rain, etc.

[hperry]

No, but I frequently see this type of illogical argument here by the anti-shelter crowd. One who buys this reasoning should also conclude that rocks painted by the same kind of people are to be blamed for the graffiti on them.

So, therefore, we ought to remove all the rocks from the backcountry!

This is illogical reasoning as well, in the form of a false analogy. Shelters provide refuge to the people who deface them and in some cases these folks would not be out there if not for the shelter. This cannot be said of rocks!

[hperry]

Quite possibly, but so are rocky viewpoints - they often attract graffiti in PA.

well, rocky viewpoints exist naturally. do shelters?

[beeman]

well, rocky viewpoints exist naturally. do shelters?

Caves do.

[emerald]

Thank you for your admission. The blame still rests with those who deface shelters and privies, not those who constructed those amenities.

Give it up while you still can save face.

SOG

[THEmapMAKER]

I rented a locked PATC cabin in Maryalnd. There was a huge penis carved in the table that is kept in the cabin. My wife and I found it very offensive. Adults are not the only ones who use shelters and cabins. Young children use them as well.

[Lone Wolf]

The blame still rest with those who deface shelters and privies, not those who constructed those amenities.


SOG

the blame rests with those that built the actual trail and shelters. both scars on the land

[emerald]

Wolf, go chase your tail!

[Gumbi]

If you are really worried about it, you could carry a can of brown spray paint and color over the graffiti with a "natural" color that is easy on the eyes...