Just spent a great week in the Park, a few quick thoughts:
*No water problems, all shelters (or Huts) were fine, tho a few were down a
bit.
*Food re-supply at camp stores OK but not spectacular. Also some pretty
crazy pricing......Lipton's for $2.09 I can understand, but a pound of
spaghetti for $3.19? The prudent hiker might want to bring most of their
DINNERS from Waynesboro and rely on the campstores for snacks, fill-ins,
etc.
*Very nice folks at Skyland restaurant this year, and they still serve a great
breakfast.
*Most notable thing this week was that EVERYONE was finding ticks, and I
mean LOTS of the little buggers. Bring DEET, preferably the 100% variety.
*Oh, and the roof at Tom Floyd Wayside leaks. Likewise, the site maps at
the access paths need to be replaced so folks know where the water is at
the shelter. Met a few VERY pissed off hikers who needlessly hiked some-
thing like .4 to get water because they didn't know the most convenient
way to get there. Replacing these maps would seem to be simple.......why
is it that the PATC has some shelters that look they cost 30,000 bucks, and
others that look like nobody's put 30 cents into them since they were built?
A little consistency would be good to see.
*That being said, the nicest place we stayed (by far) was Pass Mt. Hut.
Especially liked the pine-needle tentsites. Many thanx to Whiteblaze's
Skyline who is one of the caretakers here. Nice work!!