Originally Posted by
Jack Tarlin
There will always be folks who are either unaware, or who simply don't care about shelter "etiquette." I.e., there will always be folks who travel in large groups, who are noisy, who take up too much space, who arrive late, leave early, are generally pains in the ass.
There's a simple remedy for this. Don't stay in shelters, or don't even PLAN on staying in them unless you absolutely have to. However, if you choose to do so, be aware that in deciding to spend the night in communal "shared" space, you are inevitably going to "share" with people who might not be ideal companions. Don't be surprised, and don't complain, if they don't live up to your standards or expectations, and don't be surprised if their behavior doesn't conform to your perception of proper "shelter etiquette."
Keep in mind:
*It's always first-come, first served.
*It's not cool to "hold" spots for people who may or may not be arriving later.
*Thru-hikers aren't inherently entitled to shelter space; shelters neither
discrimainate nor do they reward. It's first-come, first served. A group
of fat weekenders is just as entitled to be there as you are.
*If you're being Joe Cool Ultralight, and have decided to dispense with tent,
tarp, or bivy, this does NOT automatically entitle you to shelter space, so
don't expect others to vacate their space for you. If you make a voluntary
decision not to carry equipment that other folks think is vital gear, well
that's YOUR choice. Live with it. If there's room in the shelter, folks will
most likely accomodate you. Otherwise suck it up and get wet. Next time,
bring a tent and don't blame other folks for YOUR mistakes.
*If you snore, arrive late, leave super early in the morning, make a lot of
noise, get up frequently in the night, etc., you should probably be
considerate to others and stay in a tent. Likewise, if this sorta behavior
bothers you, then YOU should stay in a tent.
*In short, people aren't perfect. If you decide to stay in a group facility,
then be aware that not everyone might conform to your standards of
behavior; be aware also, that not everyone is aware of what constitutes
appropriate shelter behavior. If it's a group that's making the problem,
consider tactfully and privately discussing the matter with the group's
leaders. But always, the simplest way to avoid the myriad problems
associated with overnighting in a shelter is simply to overnight somewhere
else.