Laurel Fork Shelter Rat

[Lion King]

Big ass rat...like a small dog is up in this shelter.

The locals, or party people, or lazy hikers have left so much trash here that it has a cozy large nest underneath the shelter, but right at dark, he eeks out and crawls the walls, this thing we named Giganto.

You have been warned.

[Wise Old Owl]

[T-Rx]

Good post WOO. Problem solved and a nice meal for our black snake friend!

[Old Hiker]

You sayin' a REPTILE would be better than a flying carnivore ?!?

[T-Rx]

Old Hiker, I'll take a harmless black snake any day versus a big a** nasty rat!

[10-K]

I'd prefer neither if I could place an order.

Another reason to tent.

[Grits]

Another good reason to Hang in a Hammock I dont want to sleep with either one.

[Lone Wolf]

Big ass rat...like a small dog is up in this shelter.

The locals, or party people, or lazy hikers have left so much trash here that it has a cozy large nest underneath the shelter, but right at dark, he eeks out and crawls the walls, this thing we named Giganto.

You have been warned.

first time on the AT? you should know better than to stay in shelters. especially this on. there's awesome cowboy camping next to the creek

[Marta]

That's one of the nastiest shelters on the AT, which is saying something. Mutilated trees, barren dirt, trash and excrement all around...

[Lion King]

first time on the AT? you should know better than to stay in shelters. especially this on. there's awesome cowboy camping next to the creek

Indeed I do, but it was storming and we stopped and Joe wanted to stay and I did, I dont carry a big 4 lb tent around cause I like shelters...lol.

By the way, when we left, the mangled body of a large black snake with Rat teeth marks all over it was shriveled in the corner being mourned by little black snakes.

I typically hate sleeping in shelters.

[Gray Blazer]

Sounds like a good name for a band.

[Just a Hiker]

There have been a few discussions about removing the big rats from Laurel Fork Shelter, but the current plan is to leave the rats alone until people learn to clean up after themselves after their weekend parties there.

[Tennessee Viking]

I will send Bob out with an axe for pest control.

Last time I heard, ATC/TEHCC were considering Laurel Fork to be removed because its age, lack of use by hikers, and abuse by the non-hiking public. But because its in a wilderness area, a replacement shelter (to today's standard's would be rather difficult and be nearly impossible to build inside the boundaries. So they are leaving it alone for the moment.

I met that black snake on top of Pond Flats. Walked 3 feet from it, then I jumped 10 feet.

[Lion King]

All it needs is a REAL GOOD Defunking and it would be a perfectly great place to sleep.

Like a rake, a bunch of garbage bags, some rat poison that looks like Skittles or if not, just a can of gas and a match would fix the issue too.

[RED-DOG]

I vote for the can of GAS and MATCH.

[T-Rx]

I can be certain my hammock will always be rat free and clean. Just say no to shelters!

[Drybones]

The wife and kids and I were hiking in the Bryce Mt area of VA. one warm Nov. day, my son of 12 yrs and I steped off the trail to check for deer signs, one of these big boys was out warming, my son said "catch it", I said "you catch it", he did and slipped up behind my wife and daughter with the snake wrapped all over him. Wont tell you what they said, but they hold the world record for trail sprinting, a rooster tail of dust behind them.