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Poll: Shelter Registers

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  1. #1

    Default Shelter Registers

    Whether you stay in a shelter of avoid sleeping in them, like I do, do you stop to read and/or sign the register? Tell us how they add value to you? Or maybe a pet peeve about them.

  2. #2

    Default

    If I have time and feel obliged to make my mark, I will stop at a shelter and look to see if I recognize any names, then read what they might have to say. Since I give my itinerary to my family before I leave home, I try to make a note I was passing through in case the home folk send out a search party.

    One time I was amused to see the signature of the one with all the miles passed near where I live only a short time before. He simply posts his name and how many times/miles he has been stuck on the AT.

  3. #3
    Registered User Dances with Mice's Avatar
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    Default

    The journals are also read by maintainers to see if there are any problems with the shelter like leaks, broken stuff, routine visits by bears or skunks, stuff like that. Some hikers mention problems on the trail like blowdowns or washed out areas, that helps too. And the logs have been used to track someone down that needed to call home ASAP for whatever reason.
    You never turned around to see the frowns
    On the jugglers and the clowns
    When they all did tricks for you.

  4. #4
    Registered User sasquatch2014's Avatar
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    I love to read them. I find it fun when I go through an area to read who was hiking with who as they rolled through there if I had been following their hike. This spring Doggiebag and I had a great time thinking of things to put in the register to make fun of Wrongway who was on the trail doing his thru and thinking of what it would be like when he read all of it weeks later.

  5. #5
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Tin Man View Post
    Whether you stay in a shelter of avoid sleeping in them, like I do, do you stop to read and/or sign the register? Tell us how they add value to you? Or maybe a pet peeve about them.
    for the most part i ignore them. they add no value to me

  6. #6
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    Yes, I read them. Yes, I sign them. I enjoy reading entries from WBers that I have heard of or met online. I like to leave messages for hikers I know who are heading towards that particular shelter soon.
    I'm not really a hiker, I just play one on White Blaze.

  7. #7

    Default

    I enjoy reading the registers and try to contribute something helpful/intelligent/amusing when I can.

  8. #8
    Registered User
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    Hummelstown & Tioga, PA
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    Default

    Water reports for those passing the other direction are helpful too.

  9. #9

    Default

    If I stay at the shelter I will read the book, some of it, unless it's a new book in which there is only a few pages. Most of the time I will write something of my own. Don't stop to read them if I am going by a shelter.

  10. #10

    Default

    Peeve: Hikers who cannot refrain from bad language or references to weed. Shame my 8 year old and his friends can't read it often when we stop by one - almost certainly someone has been profane or worse yet drawn stupid pictures.

  11. #11

  12. #12
    Registered User D'Artagnan's Avatar
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    It's kind of like reading graffiti on a bathroom wall: I scan them more out of curiosity and boredom than anything. Some entries are more humorous than others and give you an insight into that person's psyche.
    Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

  13. #13
    Formerly "Totem"
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    are you complaining about the stupid drawing or the mother****ing mother****ing?
    up over the hills, theres nothing to fear
    theres a pub across the way with whisky and beer
    its a lengthy journey on the way up to the top
    but it ain't so bad if you have a great big bottle o'scotch

  14. #14
    Registered User sasquatch2014's Avatar
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    This is a great example of some nice Register artwork. This was done by Moses and from what I understand he has done a bunch of these since he got on the trail up in Mass.

    http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/file...1654_thumb.jpg

  15. #15

    Default

    Complaining?

  16. #16
    Registered User sasquatch2014's Avatar
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    sorry not sure why it came out as a thumb nail. I'll try this one. hope its better.

    http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/file...4_original.jpg

  17. #17
    As in "dessert" not "desert"
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    If I am on a lengthy trip I will sign them and put the date and time down so that if I end up missing they'll know where to look for the remains.

    I also write in them if an expected water source is dry down the trail, so that anyone going the other way will know it (if they read it) and plan accordingly.

  18. #18
    But I believe, yes I believe, I said I believe
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    I read them and sign them sometimes.

    A lot of entries farther north were simply "Cookie and Kirby in for the night".

    Kirby

  19. #19
    AT 4000+, LT, FHT, ALT Blissful's Avatar
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    Registers were great to keep tabs on where friends were at, etc and see what they are up to. Also who we might see along the way. We signed them as much as possible and when we ran into other hikers, they would say - oh yeah, I read about you in the register. They are a great part of the trail experience and community found there.







    Hiking Blog
    AT NOBO and SOBO, LT, FHT, ALT
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  20. #20
    Registered User Phreak's Avatar
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    I enjoy reading them.

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