Illegal camping?

[Wendigo]

I've recently noticed on a number of thru-hiking blogs photos of hikers camping on Max Patch, atop Kinsman mountain in NH, etc. I thought camping at these locations was prohibited? While I understand the necessity of stealth camping in an emergency or due to injury and such, am I witness a new trend, i.e. "camping where I damn well please!" on the AT and other trails?

[rickb]

Were the trees less than 8 feet tall at the camping spot on Kinsman?

[Wendigo]

Yes, they were.

[Fredt4]

If a hiker falls in the forest, and there's not a tree around to hear him, does he make a sound?

Only if he falls on the Spot.

[Starchild]

Was camping on Max Patch a no-no?

[JumpMaster Blaster]

Just read the ATC Guide and AWOL's guide and neither say anything about NOT being allowed to camp on Max Patch. All that's metioned is no campfires allowed.

Never camped there, but would have assumed it was okay unless specified. Does this mean I have to reserach the USFS site in depth now? Not complaining, just saying that folks are probably camping on MP because nothing in their guides say NOT to.

[BirdBrain]

Just read the ATC Guide and AWOL's guide and neither say anything about NOT being allowed to camp on Max Patch. All that's metioned is no campfires allowed.

Never camped there, but would have assumed it was okay unless specified. Does this mean I have to reserach the USFS site in depth now? Not complaining, just saying that folks are probably camping on MP because nothing in their guides say NOT to.

That is the point of LW's quip.... I think. For some, camping means stringing up Christmas lights and putting out pink flamingos in front of the RV. For others it can mean finding a rock for a pillow. Much depends on what you intend to do at your "camp".

[BirdBrain]

Stealth is not synonymous with illegal. The illegal areas are clearly marked in the Whites. There are radius areas around established AMC sites and tree line areas around peaks that are marked off. Sometimes the paper portion is missing. After you have seen a few of these signs the intent is obvious even without the paper. It is possible to camp legally near the peaks of many hills in NH. Some do it wrong. Many don't.

[Donde]

Further more there is plenty of legal camping in the Whites, I have gone through the Whites twice and both times stealth camped all but one night, without violating the rules.

[Donde]

Camping is not prohibited on Max Patch

[BirdBrain]

I believe it is possible to camp near the peak of North Kinsman legally. I am not sure. The climb up South Kinsman is very steep. I doubt there is a suitable spot in that area. The col between the Kinsmans is wooded. Not sure of that area. The point is that it is not a given that it is illegal if someone camped near a Kinsman peak.

[Lone Wolf]

define camping

[Astro]

define camping

Setting up your personal shelter: tent, tarp, hammock?

[BirdBrain]

Setting up your personal shelter: tent, tarp, hammock?

It's just boiling water, sleeping, and boiling water. Channeling someone.

[magic_game03]

define camping

Why does it not surprise me that YOU are in of a definition. You should also ask about hiking. It's a great experience that you should try, like camping.


(I suspect that you will go crying to some moderator like you always do and get this post deleted, but I will be laughing for at least a half hour!)

[Lone Wolf]

sure kid

[BirdBrain]

define camping

I grasp your point... I think. I doubt anyone would suggest it is illegal to take a nap at 2 PM most anywhere on the trail. So at what point does napping become objectionable? It would depend on one's definition of camping. Am I close?

[MuddyWaters]

I grasp your point... I think. I doubt anyone would suggest it is illegal to take a nap at 2 PM most anywhere on the trail. So at what point does napping become objectionable? It would depend on one's definition of camping. Am I close?

If you make that assumption in Shenandoah national park, you would be wrong. Camping in shenandoah is defined as using shelter/sleeping gear at any time, day or night.

Rules get made, to combat people that try to circumvent what is supposed to be simple. I expect gsmnp to adopt snp definition one day as well.

[rickb]

define camping

It really runs the gamut from a responsible weekender pitching a tent at an approved and monitored site at a National Park, to some young punk sleeping in the bushes just outside of Madison Hut.

[bamboo bob]

I had no idea I wasn't allowed to camp on Max Patch. Unless it's a storm I bet there's someone camped there every night. But in the Whites anywhere above treeline I recall as not OK. Maybe the rules changed?