Why can’t the ATC and hiking clubs take measures to install bear-proof metal boxes at some shelters where the bears are being such a problem? Why force hikers on the AT to carry a heavy food canister which may be necessary in only a few places? Why permit a nice Shelter like Woods Hole become virtually unused simply because the park service refuses to take steps to deal with the bear problem? The isolated areas like Blood Mountain, Watauga Lake, etc. are spreading. Does the ATC want the trail to become unused by hikers and reserved exclusively for the wildlife?
Woody