Stay in a shelter if you like crowds, odors and mice. Tenting is great. Thanks again for sharing your experiences with us. Shelters are great when the weather is really bad.
A couple of years ago I hiked SOBO from the Delaware Water Gap to Roanoke, and I intentionally selected a time when I would miss most of the thru-hikers. I used my tent most nights but my last 5 days (of 41) on the trail the shelters were empty except for me. That was the best time to use them.
I could never sleep in a shelter. There are no advantages of sharing a shelter. It might be used by me if nobody else there, but that can't be guaranteed so tent only for me. It doesn't matter what weather...no shelter for me.
In the 1970’s in the Smokey Mountains the Shelters were 3 sided metal with chain link fence across the front to keep the bears and larger rodents(Armadillo, Raccoon, large Rats out). The Silers Bald Shelter had a bear that knew how to open the chain link gate when I was there in September of 1976. It was fun for my friends and I to get out once the bear got in 🧸 🥾🥾🥾
My son and I did a overnight hike from rock gap to waynesboro. We stayed in the shelter that night. We meet you and your trail sisters the next morning. There was only four of us in that shelter that night. Definitely glad it was not packed.
I most definitely plan on choosing my tent over a shelter…even if it’s empty. The idea of maybe waking up next to someone coming in late is disturbing. If the weather is severe, then I would choose the shelter for sure. Dead falls and flying debris in severe storms scare me. My daughters and I just through hiked the FHT and we were supposed to have a thunderstorm one of the days. Luckily we did not, but I couldn’t help to try to find where we would be the safest since there are no shelters on the FHT. A bit of an uneasy feeling for sure.
Snorers, Farters, & Mice, Oh my. I like camping near shelters because I like to hear people's stories, goals, plans for future, everybody has a story. Also love to see what kind of food people have. Cooking at picnic table is easier than cooking on ground. But I prefer my hammock & listening to my FM radio at night.
Great video! Mice aren't just after food. Mice love sweat salt. One bit through the condensation vent at the bottom of my tent to get to my sweaty gear one night. I also woke up to a chewed up hiking pole grip when I left it outside my tent. I keep it in my tent now.
I”m a light sleeper. Even with ear plugs I can’t sleep. Years ago I caught another hiker trying to steal my gaiters early in the morning as he was packing up. I was still in my sleeping bag. He must of thought I was still sleeping. He did the old… “Oh I thought they were mine…”
I only pitched my tent maybe 3 times during my 2009 NOBO. I was pretty lazy and didn’t like the idea of setup/breakdown everyday plus if it was raining what a pain in the arse. I didn’t mind the mice, the snoring, or the close quarter sleeping. I did get peeved when some hikers showed up then had a pack eruption with their gear all over the place- jeez! These days I’ve evolved to use a tarp with bug bivy which is so much easier setting up and breaking down plus I can stay dry until the last minute so perhaps less shelter use is in my future.
I think the experience with shelters will vary a lot depending on when you start the trail, particularly northbound. I hiked quite a few years ago with less people on the trail, but I also started well after the bubble (around May 1st). Used shelters on many nights and certainly had some nights with completely full shelters, but 2-3-4 people in a shelter was more common and very different from a completely packed one.
I'd definitely prefer a tent to a shelter for all the reasons you gave. I'd most likely stay at hostels or motels in the small towns, but I realize there could be times when one wouldn't have access to hostels or motels, so the tent would be needed. Good video.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. After hearing your reasoning, I think I would definitely prefer a tent as opposed to a shelter. My number one fear is mice. I am TERRIFiED of mice. Just thinking of the thought of a mouse or rat running on me gives me a panic attack. Also I would feel so uncomfortable being in such close proximity around people I didn't know. I don't think I would be able to sleep. Also yes, getting sick from other people would not be fun.
I'm also a serious mouse phobe and it's caused me to rethink my thru hike altogether. But I know I'll overcome it enough to get on the trail. I'll be a strict hammock camper though!!!
Some of ya'll just don't need to backpack and camp. Her included. She is afraid of freezing rain, and shelters, and leap frogging. Jeesh. If you girls really KNEW what was IN those forests? A mouse is the damned LEAST of your worries. There are coyotes, wolves, bobcats, mountain lions, bears, and wild dogs in those forests. Mountain lions are ambush predators; you'll never see one coming. Truly, ya'll just need to stay home and WATCH videos.
Small space by yourself vs sharing a small space with many people? You need at least 25 sq ft (5x5, or 8.09x3.09)to be comfortable in a tent. An AT shelter, depending on size can house 6 to 24 hikers. While in the military, I experienced close quarters. I prefer my alone space in my tent.
There are some shelters that literally full of homeless types, some of them dont event seem to be hikers. I use hostels or my tent, unless i have no choice.
I think the designers of the shelters were more forward thinking than we realize. They knew if they didn’t leave one side open there could be a massive explosion from built up gas!😉
Yeah, honestly, spending the night with a bunch of smelly, snoring, farting people just doesn't sound like my idea of a great time LOL. I love the privacy of my tent! And given how sloppy many hikers are with food storage, I plan to set up my tent on the far edges of the shelter area so the bears will go to the area where the food is. 🙂 I can see suffering through a shelter if it's pouring and cold, but otherwise I'd rather take the time to pitch my little piece of heaven, my Big Agnes tent!
I would rather try to sleep in that tent that was rolling across the ground than sleep in a shelter. And yes, I am the guy whose tent endured the 80 mph winds. Just kidding. I was camping on the Outter Banks when a storm came through. Don't know how strong the winds blew, but my free standing tent staked down and guyed out did well. Looking forward to your next hike.
I’m on trail now (for my second attempt) and I don’t stay in shelters, not because of the critters but because of the usual “loud crowd” and snoring. Why a group of people who are sitting two feet across from each other at a picnic table have to talk and laugh for hours at a decibel level a thousand times louder than what is humanly necessary is beyond me. I do like to tent camp at shelters because of the close proximity to privies, water sources , and bear cables or boxes but I try to select a spot as far away from the structure itself or at a stealth spot within .1 or .2 from the shelter.
Why do people try to squeeze into one shelter? Out of politness, in case there comes a bigger group/family that wants to stay together? Or bc of security reasons?
Just a side note, the English word “fart” goes back hundreds of years, basically unchanged and meaning the same thing. It might be among the oldest words in the English language.
What you were saying about shelters being protective against falling limbs is somewhat negated by the experience of Luke from The Outdoor Gear Review. One shelter he stayed in was unceremoniously destroyed by a widow-maker merely a day after he stayed in it on a day-hike of his. So safety isn't 100% guaranteed.
That depends on the hostel and whether you can stay in a private room or in a bunk room/bed, the latter will still have the same problems with farts and snorers ;-)
Shelters make it easier for people who don’t know what they are doing go on the AT. That leads to overcrowding and leave no trace problems. A benefit of trails without so many shelters is that it forces you to test your skills and reduces clusters of inexperienced people. Shelters attract local vagrants in addition to the rodents.
Stay in a shelter if you like crowds, odors and mice. Tenting is great. Thanks again for sharing your experiences with us. Shelters are great when the weather is really bad.
Agreed
A couple of years ago I hiked SOBO from the Delaware Water Gap to Roanoke, and I intentionally selected a time when I would miss most of the thru-hikers. I used my tent most nights but my last 5 days (of 41) on the trail the shelters were empty except for me. That was the best time to use them.
Yeah I’d sleep in an empty shelter
I could never sleep in a shelter. There are no advantages of sharing a shelter. It might be used by me if nobody else there, but that can't be guaranteed so tent only for me. It doesn't matter what weather...no shelter for me.
I prefer a tent
Good info. Road Runner have you thought about doing a video on your hostel and hotel stays and which ones you liked and didn't like?
You know I’ve already filmed it but haven’t decided on wether to post it
Post it your fan club awaits hah
You brought up alot of good points on this topic thank you. I'm a newbie hiker and appreciate any wise words.
Glad it was helpful!
Another great video. Really appreciate all the effort that you do for these videos.
Thank you very much!
In the 1970’s in the Smokey Mountains the Shelters were 3 sided metal with chain link fence across the front to keep the bears and larger rodents(Armadillo, Raccoon, large Rats out). The Silers Bald Shelter had a bear that knew how to open the chain link gate when I was there in September of 1976. It was fun for my friends and I to get out once the bear got in 🧸
🥾🥾🥾
Wow. 🐻
Great video and I 💯 agree. Tent over shelter any day but like you I can see the benefit in certain scenarios. Happy trails.🤘🏻🥾⛰️
Thanks
My son and I did a overnight hike from rock gap to waynesboro. We stayed in the shelter that night. We meet you and your trail sisters the next morning. There was only four of us in that shelter that night. Definitely glad it was not packed.
Yeah it’s much better when not packed full
I most definitely plan on choosing my tent over a shelter…even if it’s empty. The idea of maybe waking up next to someone coming in late is disturbing. If the weather is severe, then I would choose the shelter for sure. Dead falls and flying debris in severe storms scare me. My daughters and I just through hiked the FHT and we were supposed to have a thunderstorm one of the days. Luckily we did not, but I couldn’t help to try to find where we would be the safest since there are no shelters on the FHT. A bit of an uneasy feeling for sure.
Experienced an incredibly severe storm while hiking the AT last year. The only time I stayed in a shelter, and was happy to have it.
@@jeanettepugh6017 I can imagine! 😬 We’ve only experienced severe weather whilst car camping and we were so glad to have the car to retreat to.
Tent all the way
I sleep in a tent to PROTECT people from MY snoring. LOL And I hate mice crawling on me.
That’s very nice of you 🤗
Snorers, Farters, & Mice, Oh my. I like camping near shelters because I like to hear people's stories, goals, plans for future, everybody has a story. Also love to see what kind of food people have. Cooking at picnic table is easier than cooking on ground. But I prefer my hammock & listening to my FM radio at night.
Yeah my tent is my little save space
Great video! Mice aren't just after food. Mice love sweat salt. One bit through the condensation vent at the bottom of my tent to get to my sweaty gear one night. I also woke up to a chewed up hiking pole grip when I left it outside my tent. I keep it in my tent now.
Oh good point about poles
The new shelter at Rock gap is awesome!! Really did a excellent job!
Yeah it looks incredible
Fantastic exploration of permanent shelters vs. your own tent/tarp/hammock. I really appreciate your honesty and candor. Keep up the great work! ☮❤🤝
Thanks, will do!
I”m a light sleeper. Even with ear plugs I can’t sleep. Years ago I caught another hiker trying to steal my gaiters early in the morning as he was packing up. I was still in my sleeping bag. He must of thought I was still sleeping. He did the old… “Oh I thought they were mine…”
Oh no
I only pitched my tent maybe 3 times during my 2009 NOBO. I was pretty lazy and didn’t like the idea of setup/breakdown everyday plus if it was raining what a pain in the arse. I didn’t mind the mice, the snoring, or the close quarter sleeping. I did get peeved when some hikers showed up then had a pack eruption with their gear all over the place- jeez! These days I’ve evolved to use a tarp with bug bivy which is so much easier setting up and breaking down plus I can stay dry until the last minute so perhaps less shelter use is in my future.
You are much stronger than me not caring about the mice
I think the experience with shelters will vary a lot depending on when you start the trail, particularly northbound. I hiked quite a few years ago with less people on the trail, but I also started well after the bubble (around May 1st). Used shelters on many nights and certainly had some nights with completely full shelters, but 2-3-4 people in a shelter was more common and very different from a completely packed one.
Very right
I'd definitely prefer a tent to a shelter for all the reasons you gave. I'd most likely stay at hostels or motels in the small towns, but I realize there could be times when one wouldn't have access to hostels or motels, so the tent would be needed. Good video.
Thank you
If I ever make it out to the AT, I'm going to try and hike it in a stealth fashion.
Good thought
That may not work in the Smokeys, but other than that, I totally agree 🙂
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. After hearing your reasoning, I think I would definitely prefer a tent as opposed to a shelter. My number one fear is mice. I am TERRIFiED of mice. Just thinking of the thought of a mouse or rat running on me gives me a panic attack. Also I would feel so uncomfortable being in such close proximity around people I didn't know. I don't think I would be able to sleep. Also yes, getting sick from other people would not be fun.
Yeah mice are no fun
I'm also a serious mouse phobe and it's caused me to rethink my thru hike altogether. But I know I'll overcome it enough to get on the trail. I'll be a strict hammock camper though!!!
Mice and rats like shelters too.
Some of ya'll just don't need to backpack and camp. Her included. She is afraid of freezing rain, and shelters, and leap frogging. Jeesh. If you girls really KNEW what was IN those forests? A mouse is the damned LEAST of your worries. There are coyotes, wolves, bobcats, mountain lions, bears, and wild dogs in those forests. Mountain lions are ambush predators; you'll never see one coming. Truly, ya'll just need to stay home and WATCH videos.
@@markthomas2436 thanks for your advice. I’ll take it into consideration for my next Thru hike.
Hiking Dancer said “farting”!!! I passed out! Ha!
Lol
I bet you are fun on the trail..
Depends on what you think is fun
LOL. I mean like comical.
Did Trail Magic 14 miles after Hot Springs at the end of last week and met another road runner.
Oh yay
Cool to see your channel grow
Thank you. It’s definitely cool to watch
Small space by yourself vs sharing a small space with many people? You need at least 25 sq ft (5x5, or 8.09x3.09)to be comfortable in a tent. An AT shelter, depending on size can house 6 to 24 hikers. While in the military, I experienced close quarters. I prefer my alone space in my tent.
Absolutely
Thanks again 👍
Always welcome
I'm not staying anywhere in a tent
No?
Another great video. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it
There are some shelters that literally full of homeless types, some of them dont event seem to be hikers. I use hostels or my tent, unless i have no choice.
Same here
I think the designers of the shelters were more forward thinking than we realize. They knew if they didn’t leave one side open there could be a massive explosion from built up gas!😉
Probably lol
Yeah, honestly, spending the night with a bunch of smelly, snoring, farting people just doesn't sound like my idea of a great time LOL. I love the privacy of my tent! And given how sloppy many hikers are with food storage, I plan to set up my tent on the far edges of the shelter area so the bears will go to the area where the food is. 🙂 I can see suffering through a shelter if it's pouring and cold, but otherwise I'd rather take the time to pitch my little piece of heaven, my Big Agnes tent!
I love my little tent too
I stay in shelter if not many people there and after a long day where I don't want to set up my tent.
Good point
Great video….. When is your next thru-hike ?
I’m doing a smaller hike but still a Thru hike in the summer. Tahoe Rim trail
I would rather try to sleep in that tent that was rolling across the ground than sleep in a shelter. And yes, I am the guy whose tent endured the 80 mph winds. Just kidding. I was camping on the Outter Banks when a storm came through. Don't know how strong the winds blew, but my free standing tent staked down and guyed out did well. Looking forward to your next hike.
Thank you 😊
I’m on trail now (for my second attempt) and I don’t stay in shelters, not because of the critters but because of the usual “loud crowd” and snoring. Why a group of people who are sitting two feet across from each other at a picnic table have to talk and laugh for hours at a decibel level a thousand times louder than what is humanly necessary is beyond me. I do like to tent camp at shelters because of the close proximity to privies, water sources , and bear cables or boxes but I try to select a spot as far away from the structure itself or at a stealth spot within .1 or .2 from the shelter.
Yay. Hope your hike is going well
I have sleep apnea. No one wants me! My daughter is immune to my night-time noise, so we can share a tent 😅
That’s great
Why do people try to squeeze into one shelter? Out of politness, in case there comes a bigger group/family that wants to stay together? Or bc of security reasons?
When it’s rainy everyone wants to get into a shelter
Great information! Youre dead on!
Thank you
Just a side note, the English word “fart” goes back hundreds of years, basically unchanged and meaning the same thing. It might be among the oldest words in the English language.
Niiiiiceeee
What you were saying about shelters being protective against falling limbs is somewhat negated by the experience of Luke from The Outdoor Gear Review.
One shelter he stayed in was unceremoniously destroyed by a widow-maker merely a day after he stayed in it on a day-hike of his.
So safety isn't 100% guaranteed.
Interesting! True, safety is not 100 % guaranteed in a shelter
So many hostels up and down that trail you don't even need to carry a tent lol
You are not wrong
It sounds like the only choices are a tent or a hostel.
I just prefer my tent
That depends on the hostel and whether you can stay in a private room or in a bunk room/bed, the latter will still have the same problems with farts and snorers ;-)
All this will be distant memory, once u get on Pct in 2024. Welcome.
I can’t wait to get on trail
Personally, I prefer not to stay the night in a homeless shelter with a bunch of people I don't know.
I prefer renting
Love my tent and my space. You are not supposed to eat where you sleep. Hang food. Even my tooth paste. So it is humans that ruin shelters.
Exactly
Shelters,smells,pass😅
Yep
Shelters make it easier for people who don’t know what they are doing go on the AT. That leads to overcrowding and leave no trace problems. A benefit of trails without so many shelters is that it forces you to test your skills and reduces clusters of inexperienced people. Shelters attract local vagrants in addition to the rodents.
Good points
Laughing my ass off!!!! hahaha. Fart in German is what?
Furz