So let me get this straight- the only options for thru-hikers in the Smokys is to bed it down in the shelters???
The only option for a section hiker is to bed it down in the shelters.
What if I'm doing a section & the shelter is full? What if I'm a thru hiker & the shelter is full?
What I'm getting at is this: if I'm doing a section hike I'd rather stay in a tent, but when is that allowed in the Great Smoky weirdness Nat'l Park?
And what if you plan a section hike, and all the spaces at the shelter are reserved? THEN do you get to tent (if that's a preference of yours). I'm so confused. My preference is to tent, 100% of the time during my hike, whether section or thru.