Do any others have positive thing to say about shelters?

**Phoenixdadeadhead** · 05-02-2009, 00:37

I recently asked why a lot of people hated the shelters on the AT, and got a few answers from everyone.
1. they were dirty
2. the mice
3. snoring people um sorry guys that is me lol
4. late arrivals
5. early leavers
6. Hard Surface

Am I the only one who finds more pros than cons?
1. Normally a good source of water
2. A nice level spot to cook
3. The privy
4. Bear lines all though not all of them have these
5. friendly conversation
6. A dry place to get out your wet gear in the rain
7. A goal to hike to I know weird huh

I will admit I am getting to old for those hard planks, and have been debating on building a bridge hammock, but even then I would stay close to the shelter for all the pro's listed. Am I the only one?

**aaronthebugbuffet** · 05-02-2009, 00:46

Originally Posted by Phoenixdadeadhead

Am I the only one who finds more pros than cons?
1. Normally a good source of water
Plenty of other sources and I can carry what I need.
2. A nice level spot to cook
I rarely cook anymore
3. The privy
Cat hole works for me.
4. Bear lines all though not all of them have these
No problem hanging anywhere in the east below treeline
5. friendly conversation
Plenty of that around home, work ,bars, visitor center parking lot, etc
6. A dry place to get out your wet gear in the rain
Tarp
7. A goal to hike to I know weird huh
Other natural landmarks work for that

I will admit I am getting to old for those hard planks, and have been debating on building a bridge hammock, but even then I would stay close to the shelter for all the pro's listed. Am I the only one?

Sorry still not convinced

**The Mechanical Man** · 05-02-2009, 00:50

Makes a great place for my dog to hang out while it's raining.

**Gaiter** · 05-02-2009, 00:59

Originally Posted by Phoenixdadeadhead

I recently asked why a lot of people hated the shelters on the AT, and got a few answers from everyone.
1. they were dirty
2. the mice
3. snoring people um sorry guys that is me lol
4. late arrivals
5. early leavers
6. Hard Surface

Am I the only one who finds more pros than cons?
1. Normally a good source of water
2. A nice level spot to cook
3. The privy
4. Bear lines all though not all of them have these
5. friendly conversation
6. A dry place to get out your wet gear in the rain
7. A goal to hike to I know weird huh

I will admit I am getting to old for those hard planks, and have been debating on building a bridge hammock, but even then I would stay close to the shelter for all the pro's listed. Am I the only one?

there are advantages to both

in response to your cons list
1. take a piece of tyvek or plastic lay it down before you put your sleeping bag down
2. don't hang food in the shelter
3. ear plugs
4. ear plugs, choice of position in a shelter
5. asking around then don't sleep next to the early risers ear plugs help here too
6. sleeping pad

in response to the pros list
1. many campsites w/ water too
2. found at campsites too
3. sometimes a tree is better
4. .....
5. pick friends and campsites wisely
6. dry place under your tent?
7. campsites can be goals too!

basicially what it boils down too, is that its a personal preference and we could argue about which is better for years, but its pointless
so get out and hike your own hike, if you like sleeping shelters then sleep in shelter if you like campsites then you like campsites

**Mags** · 05-02-2009, 01:04

Keeps people away from the good camp spots...

**Tin Man** · 05-02-2009, 05:33

Originally Posted by The Mechanical Man

Makes a great place for my dog to hang out while it's raining.

bet that makes you really popular with the shelter crowd

**Tin Man** · 05-02-2009, 05:34

Originally Posted by Mags

Keeps people away from the good camp spots...

amen

**adamkrz** · 05-02-2009, 06:54

I pack a tent but enjoy staying in shelters that are empty and fairly clean also. Just spent 3 days in Mass. and used the shelters every night - It seems the porcupines are also loving them lately..

**Lion King** · 05-02-2009, 06:58

I enjoy talking and joking with people as I cook, thats about it.

The social aspect fo shelters is a good one, but the list of other reasons is what makes me go in, eat, joke for a bit, and move on.

I slept in Stover Creek shelter this trip, none others.

Camped in the smokies the whole why through this year and loved it.

**Homer&Marje** · 05-02-2009, 07:03

I love how everyone bitches about all the shelters downfalls. To me it's just a box in the woods. And I love them.

Expect it to be dirty, expect people to snore, expect hard floors, and expect the little critters that roam about.

ITS THE WOOODS!!!!! There was a few good threads a couple months back about this, I think there was a poll attached.

Learn to love the expression "I'm a thru hiker please make room for me. I hate shelters and please try not to snore."

**kayak karl** · 05-02-2009, 07:12

i like them in the winter, ONLY if i have it to myself or somebody im hiking with at the time. i hang in the porch area, so the other has the floor to themselves.

**aaronthebugbuffet** · 05-02-2009, 07:41

Originally Posted by Mags

Keeps people away from the good camp spots...

Yes shelters are the greatest.

**Homer&Marje** · 05-02-2009, 07:42

I am willing to agree that I do prefer to be alone at the shelters. Just not the social butterfly I once was

**Lone Wolf** · 05-02-2009, 07:43

shelters are great for carving your name in and leaving stuff you don't want

**rickb** · 05-02-2009, 07:45

Few things sound nicer than than rain on a tin shelter roof.

**Homer&Marje** · 05-02-2009, 08:13

Originally Posted by Lone Wolf

shelters are great for carving your name in and leaving stuff you don't want

I knew that LW '74 in New Hampshire was you

**Mrs Baggins** · 05-02-2009, 08:20

I don't mind them. I usually tent but sometimes, when I'm just too beat or it's too cold and I don't want to fumble around with putting up and taking down a tent, I'll sleep in the shelter. I don't mind the mice in the least. I like having a picnic table or benches of some kind to sit on and to cook at, I like having a fire ring, I like having a spring and a privy nearby (although I have no problem just using the woods), I like having people to talk to. I wear ear plugs and never hear the snorers, early risers, rustling of bags and mats.

**superman** · 05-02-2009, 08:52

The good thing about shelters is that all the funny looking people go there to talk crazy stuff and thus the good part is that they aren't trying to stealth camp around me.

**Rockhound** · 05-02-2009, 09:00

I always know when I hit a shelter that I'm within a mile or two of a great campsite. They make great land markers.

**Rain Man** · 05-02-2009, 09:14

You ask-- "Do any others have positive thing to say about shelters?"

Sure. Just read Earl Shafer's book. He often wrote very positively about reaching this or that shelter.

Same for all the accounts in "Hiking the Appalachian Trail," volumes one and two.

And just about all the thru-hike accounts I have read, perhaps two or three dozen or more, have positive things to say about shelters.

I can take 'em or leave 'em.

Rain

Man

.

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