Quick thoughts:
* Dogs don't belong in shelters and it's not fair to put folks on the spot, i.e.
just cuz nobody's ever complained about your pet doesn't mean they don't
want the dog there. Maybe they just don't want to make waves and be
seen as the bad guy, so they say nothing. Dogs get on people's stuff,
they go where they shouldn't, beg food, piss wherever, including on packs;
and they ALL, without exception have fleas, ticks and other vermin. They
don't belong in shelters, period.
* If you're gonna leave at dawn, you should avoid staying in shelters. It is
simply not possible to pack up all your stuff in the dark and get out without
disturbing other people. Likewise, if you arrive at a shelter after dark,
unless the weather is awful, you should tent. Moving into a shelter makes
as much noise as moving out.
*Would add one more "rule." Be leery of sharing your musical talents with
your shelter mates. In all likelihood, you're not as good a musician or singer
as you might think, and the fact that nobody's pointed this out to you
doesn't mean it ain't true.
*Gotta disagree with the "rule" about cooking in a shelter. People do this all
the time. Don't worry about the bears.....I assure you they already know
you're there. Hang your food bag in serious bear country and don't leave
stuff out for the mice and you shouldn't have a problem.
*If you know you have a serious snoring problem, unless the weather is awful,
you should tent. Likewise, if you're overly sensitive about snoring and other
night noises, you should also tent. Six or seven people sleeping in the same
place generate noise. If this bothers you or is likely to, sleep somewhere
else.
*Lastly, gotta agree with Wolf. I only use shelters when they're empty or
when there's rain of biblical proportions. I don't go out there to sleep in a
box. Funny thing......everyone has their personal shelter horror story, or
has a list of shelter peeves. There's an easy remedy to shelter woes......
don't stay in 'em.
18. People with digestive issues should stay in tents.
And if you have a problem with people not following the rules mentioned in the thread and in Jack's thoughtful post, then don't stay in shelters, because people either don't know the rules or don't care.
Shelters are evil, people who stay in shelters are funny looking and have you noticed that my name is green?
what does a green name mean
" YOU'RE MAD!" "... Thank goodness for that, Because if I wasn't this would probably never work." AT thru hiker advice from CAPN jack sparrow
Don't know what etiquette number we are up to, but leave Cujo at home should be in there. We tried to stop in at Morgan Stewart shelter today to sign the register, but Cujo got all mean and nasty. I even got down low and offered my hand in friendship - nada. The owner came over and apologized. I said no problem, but I should have told him to leave the mutt home next time.
reminds me of show i was watching on animal planet its where they interviewed people about various topics in life and they took the poeples voices and put clay-mation animals like they were the ones talking to fit the situation my favorite is the segment they did asking all these old people what its like living in a nursing home and they compared it to like animals talking about what its like in a zoo
" YOU'RE MAD!" "... Thank goodness for that, Because if I wasn't this would probably never work." AT thru hiker advice from CAPN jack sparrow
Captain, I agree with your shelter rules. I don't like dogs in shelters, but am usually too polite to say anything (to the owner or anyone else later). I don't like being awakened by hikers leaving in the morning dark. (I usually am up by 7 or so) I confess that when I was heavier, I did snore, but my husband says that stopped when I lost weight. If you catch my sawing wood, poke me and I'll turn over. I cook at a table if there is one, but hang my food away from the shelter. Hope our compadres follow these rules too!