Appalachian Trail Shelters - Architecture Thesis Survey

[zcalla20]

Hello, I am currently studying architecture at the Savannah College of Art and Design. The Focus of my thesis is the redesigning of Appalachian Trail Shelters without sacrificing the hiking experience.

Personal experience and research has shown that the existing shelters are in major need of repair, and it is my hopes that the information gathered from this survey will benefit my thesis and provide a resource for the designs of future Appalachian Trail Shelters.

Below is the link to the survey: (estimated time to complete is between 4-8 minutes)

Thank you!


https://adobeformscentral.com/?f=YiaKKZYK25w5o0MtRKpdKA

[ParkRat09]

All except the Smokies! Well with the exception of Davenport Gap

[swjohnsey]

I don't agree. While spartan, most of the shelters were in good repair.

[ParkRat09]

While I can only attest to Shelters in the Smokies I've heard more complaints about uncontrollable things like mice and other people

[kayak karl]

is this serious. last part of survey???? have you been to a shelter ???

Rate the following amenities by how strongly you agree with their addition in future Appalachian Trail Shelters.*

	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neutral	Agree	Strongly Agree
Electric Lighting
Heating / Air Conditioning
Electric Outlets
Heated Running Water
Gas or Electric Stoves
Lavatories
Emergency Phones

[zcalla20]

These are all amenities I feel do not belong in a shelter, however I have spoken with other hikers that feel it is important to have some of these.

While I do not agree with them, I felt it important to get a more collected understanding of what to and what not to incorporate into my designs

Thank you for bringing that section up, I know it is a controversial topic.

[Drybones]

These are all amenities I feel do not belong in a shelter, however I have spoken with other hikers that feel it is important to have some of these.

.

Those that believe these amenities are important are those that sit on a couch in front of a TV. As far as I'm concerned the shelters are not needed.

[Drybones]

As far as I'm concerned the shelters are not needed.

I will have to confess, that big red barn at Overmountain sure was nice after walking 20 something miles in the poring rain, the trail was either a flowing stream or ankle deep mud, cold wet, tired, was nice to get out of the rain.

[Tipi Walter]

These are all amenities I feel do not belong in a shelter, however I have spoken with other hikers that feel it is important to have some of these.

While I do not agree with them, I felt it important to get a more collected understanding of what to and what not to incorporate into my designs

Thank you for bringing that section up, I know it is a controversial topic.

Other hikers want electricity? Are they nuts? Just stay at home then and sleep in the carport. This project is a good example of the Engineer mentality in full bloom.

Here are some features I would like to see in future shelters.

1. I would like there to be more space where people can't sleep. Sometimes the shelters get crowded with sleeping people, and there's no space to put my stuff.
2. smaller shelters
3. more nails sticking out of walls
4. more cans on the strings where you put your food, or more metal boxes
5. Outlets are nice as long as they don't require maintenance. This isn't for all shelters, and it's not a priority.
6. polyurethane glue
7. better signs pointing to the shelter
8. If it's on land that is protected for a few hundred years, it should usually be made of permanent materials.

I would also like to see more blazes. These are more important than shelters. Lots of blazes and no shelters would be fine.

Having more space where people can't sleep sounds like a good idea too. Zero space.

Outlets are nice? This is nuts.

[yellowsirocco]

If I was going to redesign a shelter I would focus more on ease of construction and ease of maintenance. That is if you want anything to ever come of your work. Hiker amenities are the last thing I would worry about. A metal roof and three walls is all you need. That is called heaven in bad weather. Some considerations though: a table to cook on is nice, the longer the overhang the better, someplace to sit other than the sleeping platform is nice. Just keep it simple.

[yellowsirocco]

You need to talk to Bob Peoples.

[MuddyWaters]

what people need in a shelter is a privy, bear cables, covered cooking area/benches, and a roof that doesnt leak..much..

[Slo-go'en]

I'd go for having wind powered water pumps and solar powered battery chargers in shelters Heat and air conditioning would be nice too, now that I think about it.

Seriously, shelter design is an interesting subject. I've spent many an hour studying the way a shelter was built - while waiting for it to stop raining... It's hard to beat the original three sided log lean-to for simple and functional. The current Georgia shelter design is I think a very good optimization of the original lean-to design.

Now that matterials can be flow onto site, there are some pretty fancy shelters on the trail. I think it is a mistake to get too fancy, as the cost of matainance will eventually become an issue.

[cabbagehead]

Here are some features I would like to see in future shelters.

1. I would like there to be more space where people can't sleep. Sometimes the shelters get crowded with sleeping people, and there's no space to put my stuff.
2. smaller shelters
3. more nails sticking out of walls
4. more cans on the strings where you put your food, or more metal boxes
5. Outlets are nice as long as they don't require maintenance. This isn't for all shelters, and it's not a priority.
6. polyurethane glue
7. better signs pointing to the shelter
8. If it's on land that is protected for a few hundred years, it should usually be made of permanent materials.

I would also like to see more blazes. These are more important than shelters. Lots of blazes and no shelters would be fine.

[Monkeywrench]

1. I would like there to be more space where people can't sleep. Sometimes the shelters get crowded with sleeping people, and there's no space to put my stuff.

Your stuff goes in your backpack.

[swjohnsey]

There are already a couple of shelters with electrical outlets . . . of course they ain't connected to anything.

[HikerMom58]

There are already a couple of shelters with electrical outlets . . . of course they ain't connected to anything.

I was in one of those shelters with the fake electrical outlets... let me tell ya.. it messed with my head for a minute!! It was great!! LOL!

[Wise Old Owl]

There are already a couple of shelters with electrical outlets . . . of course they ain't connected to anything.

yea but they could be ...Pennies on the $

[jakedatc]

From the ones on the Long Trail I liked the Stratton Pond shelter style with bunks and a loft. I also liked the double layer lean to's/camps like Spruce Camp and Imp shelter (NH not LT but that style)

the only "amenity" i really got spoiled with was the 4 sided Lodge/camps, just nice to have 4 walls and a door sometimes. other than that.. roof that works

[Donde]

I think of Mountaineer ( Bob is pretty much the Chuck Norris of the AT) and Jim & Molly Denton as pretty much the perfect shelter designs. Bear poles covered cooking area, plenty of sleeping space. That being said with a handful of exceptions ( dicks dome, and the one 11 miles north of hot springs with the gaps in the floor) even the most spartan shelters are fine. Give my regards to SCAD, I hope the coeds are still regularly earning their Ranger Panties.