AT shelters

[frozenbravo]

I'll be starting my thru hike March 17. I've been looking on white blaze for several weeks and am curious if I can expect to have somebody else in the shelters most nights im on the trail?

[Mouser999]

You may or may not. First come first served. Weather may play a big part.

[ddanko2]

I'll be starting my thru hike March 17. I've been looking on white blaze for several weeks and am curious if I can expect to have somebody else in the shelters most nights im on the trail?

100% of the time for at least your first week, ~90-95% of the time afterwards. Just from my own experience.

[orthofingers]

Will you be NOBO from Springer? If so, I think you can pretty much count on others in the shelters until the herd thins out.

[egilbe]

Depending on how fast you hike, you may find shelters full when you get there.

[Lone Wolf]

I'll be starting my thru hike March 17. I've been looking on white blaze for several weeks and am curious if I can expect to have somebody else in the shelters most nights im on the trail?

shelters will be full every night for at least 400 miles

[Gambit McCrae]

shelters will be full every night for at least 400 miles

Everything on here is 100% accurate, most that have posted have been there and done it and a lot more experience then myself, but I would plan on sharing until Akins, V and perhaps further. After the bubble or heard as you hear of thins out, you will still have weekenders, section hikers, hobos and mice Bring a 4x8 piece of tyvek to lay under your pad, will cut down on virus transfer, and will establish a "frozenbravo" area for yourself.

[frozenbravo]

I will be NOBO from Springer. Question posted was to try and solidify my packing arrangements. "Gambit" well played. Thanks all.

[Ben 2020]

Speaking of mice, how bad is the infestation? Is the same all year or winter is better?

[Deacon]

Speaking of mice, how bad is the infestation? Is the same all year or winter is better?

From my own observation, the degree of infestation is dependent on the shelter design and age.

Many of the older shelters built with the side walls laid directly on the ground, or those with stone walls seemed the worst. The worst I've seen is Cold Spring shelter just south of the NOC, but thankfully I understand that's being replaced.

Shelters built up on piers like those through Virginia seem to have less a problem with mice.

This may not be true 100% of the time but I think it's generally true.

[RockDoc]

Shelters start filling up by 2 in the afternoon, in season.

Even in the off season, they fill up with locals having campouts, unfortunately. One told me "we thought that you hikers were done by now, and we could take over". That was in October in NC.

Back in the 1970's, yes we had them to ourselves.

[CalebJ]

Shelters start filling up by 2 in the afternoon, in season.

Even in the off season, they fill up with locals having campouts, unfortunately. One told me "we thought that you hikers were done by now, and we could take over". That was in October in NC.

Back in the 1970's, yes we had them to ourselves.

Are you suggesting that the shelters should be prioritized for thru hikers?

[soumodeler]

Don't be tied to shelters. You will find them overcrowded and filthy during peak thru hiking season (you'll be right in the middle of it) and there will be no peace or quiet. If I am hiking during peak times, one of my favorite things to do is stop at shelters to get water and possibly cook dinner (depending on what time it is) and then hike on a mile or two. You will almost always find a unmarked campsite within a mile of the shelter and have it all to yourself or only 1-2 other people.

[Slo-go'en]

If your asking this question because you don't want to carry a tent, forget about that idea. If the weather is bad, the shelter will be full from people who came the day before and didn't leave. With 20 to 50 people a day, everyday heading out in March and April, not only will the shelters be full, but all the tent sites around and between shelters will be full too.

[rafe]

Northbound start on March 17? Count on shelters being full pretty much every night.

[Slo-go'en]

Of course, since the dropout rate is fairly high for March starters, if your one of those who make it past the Smokies, the chances of having shelter space goes up significantly.

[Tennessee Viking]

I would suggest camping starting out away from shelters. Shelters at the start of the crowd season are annoying and messy. If you do stay at shelters, carry ear plugs. Snoring, farting, and partying.

[1234]

no and yes, I found most folks deathly afraid of shelters the first week, UNLESS IT RAINS! They had all heard so many bad rumors. I stayed with one person at Hawk Mt shelter with 50 tents and hammocks around it.

[Fredt4]

I started April 2nd, 2011 and saw some shelters empty and some full. Bad weather usually filled them out. I slept near S Shelter several times during rain as the sheltersupport were full. On most clear nights you'll find there's plenty of room, but why would you need it. They make excellent places to log in, eat something or just gather information. I remember staying outside a shelter just pass the Smoked after Easter because the shelter was packed. Don't remember how many people were killed by tornadoes that night, none on the AT, but still it was a bit impressive how they filled up. North of the Smokies I could have stayed in about any Shelter had there been a need. I do remember a few Shelters that were quite nice along the AT, so don’t accept all the negative talk, though camping is excellent along the entire AT.

[DavidNH]

Frozenbravo do you want company in the shelters or do you not want company?

If the answer is the later.. I'd recommend choosing shelters that are within a couple miles (or closer) of a town. Most hikers will buzz on by to get down to the restaurants. That said.. if you are hiking northbound starting any time in March or April.. most shelters will be full... at least in Georgia and NC. By the time you get up to New England the crowds decrease significantly and you will often have empty shelters.

Another way to avoid crowded shelters is to tent 1/4 mile away (so you can still avail your self of outhouse and water source).