Hey kids, the December ATC rag, page 17, has an article about changes to the enterance "system" and permits. We went thru in 2001 you just signed in at the dam. The park is talking about contacting the Sugarlands Visitors Center near Gatlinburg and the phone going unanswered. What's a hiker to do?
_Bushwhack_Fontana Dam and north permit
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#1
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#2
don't expect it applies to thruhikers the same as not needing a reservation and allowing us to tent outside shelters. At least that's how i'm taking it.
_bamboo bob_
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#4
Most of the shelters along the AT trails in the GSNP were rebuilt with a new open design in 2009. The shelters now have a larger cover area both inside and out. Hopefully recent hikers are using the bear cables correctly and the bears are not getting any food at the shelters.
_Old Goat_
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#5
The changes to the backcountry permit and reservation system are only a PROPOSAL currently. The park has received one round of public comment on the proposal and is trying to decide how to proceed. The proposed permit fee and strict limits on shelter and campsite occupancy WOULD apply to long distance AT hikers, who would no longer be allowed to tent around full shelter sites. ALDHA objected to the proposal in their written comments. ATC questioned whether the proposed system would negatively impact the AT experience, but stated they would be in favor of a system that lowed impact by overcrowding at GRSM shelters. The park sees this as a way to fund staff at the visitor centers to assist hiker planning, a way to fund a greater ranger presence in the backcountry, and a way to protect the resources. Stay tuned.
_PRoyer_
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#6
This is a money grab. If they want to limit backpacker impact get rid of the shelters and only allow tenting. They would attract fewer people. They want money to pay for the staff at visitor centers to serve people who never go into the backcountry. I don't acre about paying a fee but I do care about dealing with more rules just to walk through the park. It is not realistic to expect thruhikers to schedule their stops.
_bamboo bob_