View Full Version : One of Tom's Run Shelters Burnt Down
RedRunnerJumper
10-09-2013, 12:43
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=236696676485876&set=vb.100004366353724&type=2&theater
Check out the Facebook Group: 2013 Appalachian Trail Thru Hikers (https://www.facebook.com/groups/316316641744542/)
The video is shared on there.
Spectacular video.
And because of this trail maintainers get to spend time and money to replace the shelter.
Teacher & Snacktime
10-09-2013, 13:18
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
10-09-2013, 13:21
I wonder was it arson, or was it from a lightning strike....I guess we will have to wait and see.....
Looks like a sunny day so I doubt it was a lightening strike.
FarmerChef
10-09-2013, 16:21
I wonder if it was someone leaving their fire unattended or a candle burning and walked away.
Nasty Dog Virus
10-09-2013, 20:06
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
10-09-2013, 20:09
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
10-09-2013, 20:27
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
10-09-2013, 22:36
Probably was an unattended fire or someone cooking.
Tri-Pod Bob
10-10-2013, 03:45
May have been an accidental spill or other problem with an alcohol stove.
Wow. I slept in that shelter about three weeks ago. What a shame.
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
10-18-2013, 15:14
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
10-22-2013, 15:21
http://www.witf.org/hiking-midstate-pa/2013/10/one-of-the-toms-run-shelters-on-the-appalachian-trail-is-destroyed-by-fire.php
Here's an article not much to it though
This is very sad for me. My second night on the trail was spent here in August 2011. It is a nice spot.
Any word on a new shelter??? Pics???
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
07-30-2014, 11:07
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
07-30-2014, 11:10
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.
Tipi Walter
07-30-2014, 12:07
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.
Amen, pass the oatmeal packets and lexan spoons. No need for another shelter about says it all. Backpackers needing so-called "trail facilities" could perhaps just stay at home and camp in their car ports.
noun: arson
the criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.
This quote reminds me of a better Ed Abbey quote---
"Why is it that the destruction of something created by humans is called vandalism, yet the destruction of something created by God is called development?"
Obviously I see trail shelters as development and not-so-clever attempts my humans to tame whatever wilderness is left. The new policy should be to never replace any shelters and let them die a natural (or unnatural) death.
I'm fine with not replacing the shelters, but can we keep the picnic tables? I love being able to sit on a picnic table or lay out some stuff on a clean flat surface to get organized. I random table just chucked out into the woods every 5 miles or so would be nice.