Who's pissing everyone off?

[Chance09]

I'm in the middle of my thru-hike right now (I'm actually sitting at the library in Palmerton PA) and it seems that someone or a group ahead of me has really pissed off some caretakers. The past 100 miles or so we're seeing signs like "due to recent events" such and such is no longer available.

The 501 shelter had the trash cans removed and the caretaker is no longer allowed to tell people what the phone number is for pizza or even have it written anywhere near there. I believe he is even tearing pages out of the register if people write the number in it.

At the Eckville shelter the caretaker who was anything but nice and there was a sign up saying that "There is no longer sodas or is cream in the fridge and the fridge has been removed." Removing it is one thing but then putting a sign up to tell everyone what they are missing out on? That guy just seemed very rude. Everyone in the next register mentioned having bad experiences there as well.

Has anyone else heard anything along these lines? I was pretty suprised because i believe i know a majority of the thru hikers in front of me for at least a week, maybe two and i don't see them causing to much trouble for anyone.

I guess what i don't understand is why this is happening now all of a sudden?

[ed bell]

Since when have shelters had trash cans and refrigerators?

[Chance09]

since they were next to the caretakers house? I'm not at all concerned about the amenities, just the attitudes of the people there.

[ed bell]

I wasn't familiar with the setup there. I just heard the word "shelter" and thought about the usual connotation. Here is a thread about the two you are talking about:

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=65

[Red Hat]

So according to the above thread the changes happened a couple of years ago, not because of problems with anyone this year in particular. But someone back then must have made them mad, or enough folks didn't pay on the honor system, so no more goodies.

[The Phoenix]

I love the hikers who act as if mommy or daddy is going to clean up after their messes so they feel like they can leave piles of trash at campsites and shelters! It can be quiet disgusting at times.

The negative nancies can also piss me off...
"its too hot/too sticky/too buggy/the water sources are dry" -85 degrees/muggy day
"too rainy/ it's all wet/ the water sources are running straight through the trail"- 65 degree rainy day

"too hilly", "too much up", "too much down" and so on and so forth...

I got those thoughts in my head sometimes... we all got some demons... but YOU DO NOT have to speak them out every time they pop in your head... listen I am looking behind you nobody has a gun to your head saying hike the trail... if you hate it... and clearly by all your complaining you do... just get off.

Find the good in bad...

Good company+a good supply of snickers bars=no bitching.

Godspeed

[Rockhound]

I'm just glad it's not me pissing everyone off for a change.

[kayak karl]

I'm just glad it's not me pissing everyone off for a change.

you started doing that early this year didnt you

[johnnybgood]

I'm just glad it's not me pissing everyone off for a change.

It's just a matter of time.

[Wags]

I'm in the middle of my thru-hike right now (I'm actually sitting at the library in Palmerton PA) and it seems that someone or a group ahead of me has really pissed off some caretakers. The past 100 miles or so we're seeing signs like "due to recent events" such and such is no longer available.

The 501 shelter had the trash cans removed and the caretaker is no longer allowed to tell people what the phone number is for pizza or even have it written anywhere near there. I believe he is even tearing pages out of the register if people write the number in it.

At the Eckville shelter the caretaker who was anything but nice and there was a sign up saying that "There is no longer sodas or is cream in the fridge and the fridge has been removed." Removing it is one thing but then putting a sign up to tell everyone what they are missing out on? That guy just seemed very rude. Everyone in the next register mentioned having bad experiences there as well.

Has anyone else heard anything along these lines? I was pretty suprised because i believe i know a majority of the thru hikers in front of me for at least a week, maybe two and i don't see them causing to much trouble for anyone.

I guess what i don't understand is why this is happening now all of a sudden?

the # for the pizza place is written in the register at the shelter prior to 501. i forget its name but it's where that lady hung herself last year. and yes, the ranger at 501 removed some things due to thrus being douchebags. it's unfortunate for those who aren't, but some of them feel as if it's a privelidge for people to "help" them with their hike, disposing of their garbage etc. i know the ranger at 501 removed the mouse cable thing in his shelter b/c thrus were leaving their pizza boxes just sitting on it instead of walking it down to the burn barrel behind his house. i hope people don't keep pissing him off and he turns off his water/solar shower

[superman]

the # for the pizza place is written in the register at the shelter prior to 501. i forget its name but it's where that lady hung herself last year. and yes, the ranger at 501 removed some things due to thrus being douchebags. it's unfortunate for those who aren't, but some of them feel as if it's a privelidge for people to "help" them with their hike, disposing of their garbage etc. i know the ranger at 501 removed the mouse cable thing in his shelter b/c thrus were leaving their pizza boxes just sitting on it instead of walking it down to the burn barrel behind his house. i hope people don't keep pissing him off and he turns off his water/solar shower

That ranger and other places were pizzed off in 2000 by the bunch ahead of us. I'd like to hear what some of the folks who have hiked multiple times have to say about this issue. It sounds to me like this stuff happens every year. Greymore Friary used to do more for the thru hikers but cut back due to abuses or that property conflict is settled?

[bigmac_in]

Why is ANYONE surprised when some douchebag thru-hikers ruin things for others? It seems to happen every year. It's always just a matter of time.

[ed bell]

Calling pizza delivery from a shelter sounds cool, but after the pizza eaters are gone, sometimes the caretaker is left with the trash aftermath. I'm not saying everyone does this, but after a couple dozen times who could blame the caretaker for being ticked off.

[skinewmexico]

Why does some of this sound like the rumblings in the big thread about greedy hostel owners......? Probably the same people who don't think they need to make the suggested donation....

[Dogwood]

Chance09, this is a prime example of why each one of us should never forget that we are all trail representatives. What we each do as hikers reflects upon other hikers to follow.

[emerald]

So according to the above thread, the changes happened a couple of years ago, not because of problems with anyone this year in particular.

From the thread linked and referenced:

Both properties are owned by the National Park Service, but operated by Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club .... Due to NPS concession regulations, there is no food (or beverages) available from the caretakers on a "donation" basis.

The PA 501 and Eckville caretakers' residences are leased by BMECC to their respective caretakers who are expected to maintain their facilities and provide information to hikers in exchange for living there. While it is true they are US property, purchased by NPS, management is delegated to ATC and in turn BMECC, the local, AT-maintaining club. The caretakers' residences themselves are private residences not open to the public except with the consent of the resident caretaker.

At Eckville Shelter the caretaker who was anything but nice [put up a sign] indicating "There are no longer sodas or ice cream and the fridge has been removed." Removing it is one thing, but then putting a sign up to tell everyone what they are missing out on? That guy just seemed very rude.

Could it be he put up a sign to answer a question he's often asked? Hikers who opt to stay at these facilities do so of their own volition. Anyone who doesn't like how they are managed is free to pack up his or her belongings and hike on.

[Slimer]

I realize that many here despise thru-hikers, but what makes you so sure this particular problem was caused by thrus?
Are section hikers not capable of causing problems also?

[superman]

Chance09, this is a prime example of why each one of us should never forget that we are all trail representatives. What we each do as hikers reflects upon other hikers to follow.

There you go...good point. The bunch of thru hikers ahead of us in 2000 used the preachers computer for porn at that church hostel in NJ. They signed up for breakfast at the friary and then hiked out instead. It was one thing after another. The thoughtless stuff that some thru hikers do boggle the mind.

[Speakeasy]

Since when have shelters had trash cans and refrigerators?

Echo is VERY cute - is he still a tiny puppy?

Speakeasy

[Rain Man]

... this is a prime example of why each one of us should never forget that we are all trail representatives. What we each do as hikers reflects upon other hikers to follow.

And why we should leave a place cleaner than we found it. Doesn't matter if thru-hiker or day-hiker. You should leave the trail cleaner than you found it.

Finding trash in a fire pit or in a shelter isn't an excuse to throw more in or leave more behind. But some take it as just such an excuse.

I was at Overmountain Shelter when a bunch of drug abusers (their drug of choice was alcohol) left the privy pit full of beer cans and whiskey bottles. Needless to say, they were chewed out by other hikers (me included) who stayed at the shelter that night with them.

Yes, some things hikers do boggle the mind, ... for the good or for the bad.

Rain Man

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