How to Hike the A.T. by Michelle Ray

Author:Michelle Ray [Ray, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-8117-4092-0
Publisher: Stackpole Books
Published: 2009-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP: ACCOMMODATIONS

On the trail, you have the option of staying in the elaborate shelter system. There are over 260 shelters (known as lean-tos in some regions) along the AT. These shelters are primitive structures built of wood or stone and typically have three walls, leaving the shelter exposed to the open air on one side. Shelters fit anywhere from four to twenty-five hikers, with the average shelter having a six- to nine-person capacity.

For people hiking in the south during the spring, shelters may be very crowded because of the large number of thru-hikers and college students on spring break. Popular national parks such as Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park are also susceptible to crowding issues in the shelters. Scout troops may also unexpectedly appear, leaving no shelter space for long-distance hikers. Aside from the AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club) huts in New Hampshire’s White Mountains and shelters in the Smokies, shelters operate on a first-come-first-served basis and can fill quickly. Of course, in bad weather, there’s always room for one more. No one has any special rights or privileges to using the shelters, and a spot is never guaranteed, which is why you need to be prepared to camp by having a tent, tarp, or other portable shelter with you when you hike. Staying in the shelters is a wonderful way to get to know fellow hikers and can be a spot for socializing at the end of the night (just remember to bring your earplugs if you want to get any sleep).

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