View Full Version : Books in Found in Shelters
Daddy Longlegs
07-18-2006, 07:32
I have stayed in or around about 15 shelters and have seen a few books, magazines, and newspapers left in some of the shelters. Has anyone taken the books then read them and then left them at another shelter? I have looked at the mags and newspapers but I have always carried my own book to read so I have never taken a book. What kind of books have been found? Ever find any bibles? Thanks
Lone Wolf
07-18-2006, 07:34
Bibles are the most common crap found in shelters.
I read several and carried one or two along to finish them. Several great mysteries I had not deen before, a couple sci fi thrillers and a bit of one historic epic. The most frustrating were the ones where someone had left only part of the book, ripping out the part they had read and leaving it to save weight. I never found more than one installment of those.
My best shelter book memory was spending an entire day snuggled in my sleeping bag reading "Journey to the center of the earth" at Spaulding Mountain Shelter as the remnants of Hurricane Frances raged outside.
I gather many maintainers consider such books clutter and remove any books they find.
The Solemates
07-18-2006, 09:56
Bibles are the most common crap found in shelters.
I don't want to start an argument over this, as there have been plenty on WB concerning this issue. I personally am of the belief that you should not leave any kind of book in a shelter. But I would like to know if you really deep down think the Bible is a peice of crap?
The Solemates
07-18-2006, 09:57
I don't want to start an argument over this, as there have been plenty on WB concerning this issue. I personally am of the belief that you should not leave any kind of book in a shelter. But I would like to know if you really deep down think the Bible is a piece of crap?
piece......
Lone Wolf
07-18-2006, 09:58
Deep down? No. But It does nothing for me.
Iv'e stayed (or just stopped) at quite a few shelters, after careful consideration, I only remember one book/magazene, that was a campmor catalog at the old Gooch Gap shelter. I think this surprises me. OTOH, I have seen hundreds in the "librarys" of several hostels, do that count?
Doctari.
I don't want to start an argument over this, as there have been plenty on WB concerning this issue. I personally am of the belief that you should not leave any kind of book in a shelter. But I would like to know if you really deep down think the Bible is a peice of crap?
praise jesus
Alligator
07-18-2006, 10:24
I usually bring my own book, which I pack out. On a side note, it's particularly stupid to leave books 2 and 3 from two different series behind for someone else to pick up and read.
gsingjane
07-18-2006, 10:34
I left behind Light in August in the covered box at Graymoor in April; I just found it too depressing to continue reading it. I found a copy of Walden by Thoreau at Limestone Springs last week but didn't read it (it was moldy) and found several books (Fletch and Widow Bradley) as well as a climbing magazine at 10 Mile River last summer. I've also found several Bibles and sometimes find parts of old newspapers or backpacking magazines. Usually by the summer time, all these things get so damp and warped and crummy that they're not even something I'd like to curl up with.
Jane in CT
This thread should be merged with the "Fire Starter" thread. LOL
Amigi'sLastStand
07-18-2006, 11:19
This thread should be merged with the "Fire Starter" thread. LOL
That's pretty funny.:)
I have seen every LOTR book, but the hardest to comprehend was two hard cover editions of Tom Clancy novels. They gotta weigh 2 lbs each and measure 12x10x6. What numbskull packed those in?
max patch
07-18-2006, 11:25
That's pretty funny.:)
I have seen every LOTR book, but the hardest to comprehend was two hard cover editions of Tom Clancy novels. They gotta weigh 2 lbs each and measure 12x10x6. What numbskull packed those in?
Hah, ask Mowgli what book he packed (but didn't leave behind).
The Solemates
07-18-2006, 11:39
Deep down? No. But It does nothing for me.
Fair enough. Have you read it? If not for a spiritual book, at least a history one?
I left behind Light in August in the covered box at Graymoor in April; I just found it too depressing to continue reading it. I found a copy of Walden by Thoreau at Limestone Springs last week but didn't read it (it was moldy) and found several books (Fletch and Widow Bradley) as well as a climbing magazine at 10 Mile River last summer. I've also found several Bibles and sometimes find parts of old newspapers or backpacking magazines. Usually by the summer time, all these things get so damp and warped and crummy that they're not even something I'd like to curl up with.
Jane in CT
99.9 percent of all books -- and most other stuff -- left in shelters are eventually carried out by shelter maintainers as litter, which in almost all instances is what it is.
Trail maintenance guidelines require that such stuff be removed from the shelters. A Bible may not be "crap" depending on your point of view, but after a few weeks in a shelter it is junk and another bit of unnecessary work for a maintainer.
Weary
SGT Rock
07-18-2006, 11:46
So the best treatment for a bible is not to leave it in a shelter, and then get mad when people have to burn it or throw it away.
If you want to help bring someone to know God, do it by example and by actions, not by leaving a bible like a sales brochure in a shelter.
Fair enough. Have you read it? If not for a spiritual book, at least a history one?
what's history got to do with it? it's a fairy tale
The Solemates
07-18-2006, 12:17
So the best treatment for a bible is not to leave it in a shelter, and then get mad when people have to burn it or throw it away.
If you want to help bring someone to know God, do it by example and by actions, not by leaving a bible like a sales brochure in a shelter.
Absolutely. Seems like we've had this discussion many times before.
Lone Wolf
07-18-2006, 12:35
Fair enough. Have you read it? If not for a spiritual book, at least a history one?
I tried to read it years ago. It makes no sense to me. Boring read.
Blissful
07-18-2006, 12:49
what's history got to do with it? it's a fairy tale
Yep, good angle. Best love story there is!
But as far as books are concerned, I agree - carry your books and don't leave them laying around. The mice will use it, they get moldy, smelly, and I have seen a burned Bible with it torn to shreds and it was a sorry sight. I plan to carry my Bible, then I can use it as a track whenever, he he (that is, if someone is interested in what it says. Makes no sense to share a single word of it if they're not. Then I'll use it for myself)
Uncle Silly
07-18-2006, 13:16
I love finding books in the shelters. The ones in sections are slightly frustrating, but at least it gives you something to read through for a few minutes on a privy break. I found several detective stories in shelters last year ("K for Killer", "M for Murder" and others in that series); and I left any book I felt I could leave behind. (Not Hunter S Thompson's "Hells Angels", since the guy that gave it to me wanted it back, but "Life of Pi" was given gratis and left somewhere in the NY/CT area.)
If you're in the midst of the thru-hiker pack, don't worry about the mice eating a book. Just leave it. Another hiker will pick it up before long. If it's the off-season, yeah, maybe packing it out is a better option.
(re: bible) Yep, good angle. Best love story there is!
No way, dude. It doesn't even come close to "The Princess Bride". And yes, I've read both.
I've found porno mags, chick tracts, bibles, 1/3 of book 3 of some unknown sci-fi series (I must have walked past the shelter with the first 2/3) etc. etc. I like to read the register entries more than anything. It's just paper and someone will burn it or take it along and read it eventually...it doesn't seem so much like litter to me...especially considering the register....mabye a few pages of the bible end up in the privy-hole (they're so thin...), something to consider when leaving one....
:D bookburner only leaves ashes:cool: neo
Matt acquired his trail name "BookBurner"
from his A.T. compatriots soon after he
realized just how heavy, useless, and
flammable the finished pages in a
paperback novel were!
http://www.enlightenedthruhiker.com/
I happened to stay on the 2nd floor of the Hotel Roan High Knob back in late Feb. While one man's treasure is another man's trash, all the crap left in the shelter looked like trash to me. The main problem I had with this is that the Busch Light was absolutely frozen solid and it wouldn't have helped me anyway. (I was prepared.;)) I just felt bad for the poor hiker that found the can after it thawed. NASTY. All kidding aside, the stuff in there was trash posing as trail magic. Considering the time of year, I wonder how much accumulates before someone just packs all the crap out. Considering the fact that I avoid shelters like the plague, that is all I have to offer. Oh, and I agree with the good SGT.; lead by example, not by leaving literature.:sun
The main problem I had with this is that the Busch Light was absolutely frozen solid
Frozen solid?! AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!
Skidsteer
07-18-2006, 21:18
Frozen solid?! AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!
Yeah. That's much worse than discovering that the 'last page' in a book left by some sadistic gram weenie is not really the last page.
How many pages does it take to thaw a can of beer?:-?
.....All kidding aside, the stuff in there was trash posing as trail magic. Considering the time of year, I wonder how much accumulates before someone just packs all the crap out. Considering the fact that I avoid shelters like the plague, that is all I have to offer. Oh, and I agree with the good SGT.; lead by example, not by leaving literature.:sun
All kidding aside, the stuff in there was IGNORANCE AND LAZINESS posing as trail magic.
Weary
Right on again, Weary.:sun
Nightwalker
07-21-2006, 21:03
Bibles are the most common crap found in shelters.
I think you need a big fat hug, grouchy. :cool:
Nightwalker
07-21-2006, 21:07
what's history got to do with it? it's a fairy tale
Are you willing to bet your life on that? Guess so...
How do books end up in shelters? Besides being left by hikers, club members who maintain shelters sometimes keep "their" shelters stocked with books, renewed periodically, along with fresh journals.
Lone Wolf
07-22-2006, 08:47
I think you need a big fat hug, grouchy. :cool:
Gypsy gives me plenty and facts are facts. Take your bible and start a cult.