One of Tom's Run Shelters Burnt Down

[RedRunnerJumper]

It has been reported by "The Bartender" a SoBo on the AT that one of the Tom's Run Shelters near Cumberland, Pa has burnt down.

Not sure if able to be viewed if you're not his friend on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=2&theater

Check out the Facebook Group: 2013 Appalachian Trail Thru Hikers
The video is shared on there.

[Jeff]

Spectacular video.

And because of this trail maintainers get to spend time and money to replace the shelter.

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Oh NO! This is one of Junker's shelters! He's the one who's going to have to fix it. He loves Toms Run....he must be heartbroken.

[turtle fast]

I wonder was it arson, or was it from a lightning strike....I guess we will have to wait and see.....

[Don H]

Looks like a sunny day so I doubt it was a lightening strike.

[FarmerChef]

I wonder if it was someone leaving their fire unattended or a candle burning and walked away.

[Nasty Dog Virus]

My guess would be arson. Fires had been banned at those shelters this past year and the fire rings were removed. No reason for a candle to be lit in the middle of the day. Sad for the folks who's time and effort went into building those two shelters.

[Lone Wolf]

Spectacular video.

And because of this trail maintainers get to spend time and money to replace the shelter.

no need for another shelter

[Nasty Dog Virus]

no need for another shelter

Agreed. You could put 100 tents up in the area around those shelters. I never understood why there were 2 there in the 1st place.

[RedRunnerJumper]

Probably was an unattended fire or someone cooking.

[Tri-Pod Bob]

May have been an accidental spill or other problem with an alcohol stove.

[blimps]

Wow. I slept in that shelter about three weeks ago. What a shame.

[mtnlady]

Sure there is plenty of tent space but both shelters were small and one would not accomodate many thru-hikers during the season or does every thru-hiker carry a tent or a hammock now a day?

[Hill Ape]

shelters, and all other trail facilities, are not for the exclusive use of thru hikers. nothing on the trail was designed for their use. thru hikers are a very small percentage of the total user groups. any thru hiker that is not prepared to be independent has already failed

[Waterbuffalo]

http://www.witf.org/hiking-midstate-...ed-by-fire.php
Here's an article not much to it though

[no-name]

This is very sad for me. My second night on the trail was spent here in August 2011. It is a nice spot.

[JYD]

Any word on a new shelter??? Pics???

[RED-DOG]

Too BAD tom's run was a really COOL place, Wet as Heck if it was Rainning.
It was probably somebody that left their camp fire unattended. or their Alchy Stove. would that still be considered Arson.

[Gambit McCrae]

shelters, and all other trail facilities, are not for the exclusive use of thru hikers. nothing on the trail was designed for their use. thru hikers are a very small percentage of the total user groups. any thru hiker that is not prepared to be independent has already failed

makes sense to me....Hike the smokies as a thru hiker and dont expect to be a 3rd thru to show up for the night on a fully full shelter? Seems like a fail to me...you go lay out in the rain, ill jump in my tent bro! haha

[Gambit McCrae]

Too BAD tom's run was a really COOL place, Wet as Heck if it was Rainning.
It was probably somebody that left their camp fire unattended. or their Alchy Stove. would that still be considered Arson.

noun: arson

• the criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.