Is it cool for me to ask someone to leave a shelter if it is crowded and they have a tent so I have a place to sleep for the night?
Mike B
Hiking w/o a tent & shelters
system
#2
In my humble opinion, shelters are first come, first serve. You should never hike without some form of shelter, and if you do, it is no one elses fault. It’s awfully rude to ask someone else to move because you did not come prepared. If you’re choosing to hike without a form of shelter, you’re also choosing to sleep without it providing the shelters are full.
janal14
system
#3
Question is, what happens if you end up between shelters on some nights? Due to, inclement weather, injury, bad timing or misjudgement of speed or distances, etc etc…
A lightweight hammock and small tarp weight less then 2 pounds, and you may find that a hammock can be alot more comfortable then a hard floor of a shelter…
Even if you are some RJ uber-freak, at least carry a small tarp, weights as low as <1 lb, you will have something to sleep under if needs be.
-xtn :boy
airferret
system
#4
Heck Mike, don’t carry a water filter and just ask if someone will pump water for you. Better yet, don’t carry a bottle and ask other hikers to share their water with you. Don’t carry any food either; most hikers will be thrilled to split their heavy food with you just so they can get rid of the weight. And we can’t wait for someone to arrive at a shelter during a storm and be rousted from a cozy sleeping bag, pull out the tent and struggle in the rain to set up the tent so Mr. “DON’T WANNA CARRY A TENT” can sleep in comfort. Whoooo-weeee!
Kant-hep-it
system
#6
Dont’ worry about the ole grouches Mike. Janal14 probably offered the best response. Most people do consider the shelters first come, first serve. It’s not too cool to ask others to move because you may not have a tent or shelter. It’s a good rule to always have some type of shelter. You just never know where you might get caught.
Mayfly
system
#7
dudes a troll. if you are not a troll you are a chump if you do not lug your own shelter, hombre.
milo
system
#9
The saying is “The shelter is full when everyone is in it”. Having said that though you should never hike without a form of shelter, particularly on a thru-hike. Without one you will get into the situation of having to make the miles. When I started my thru-hike I did it with a guy that had no tent or tarp. He was fine for a little while but he soon realized that if he was going to make the distance he needed a shelter.
If you go on the trail with the attitude of other people accommodating you, you will be chastised. People days ahead and behind you will know of you. Other hikers will do anything for you if they know you are in need. Not carrying a shelter is not in that category.
Two Scoops
system
#10
I see things a little differently than you folks. Working in outfitters in Benington and Manchester,VT for the last 10 years, has given me a chance to listen to a lot of “complaints”.
Lately, the biggets “complaint” I hear is the “Ultralighters” who “mooch”. Guys and gals, who leave maps at home and then ask to see others. They “borrow” other peoples water filters and don’t carry any form of a 1st aid kit. Again, relying on others. This seems to annoy hikers more than anything. IMHO
MikeB
I would NOT rely on the shelters. Especialy here in the North East, where the Trail can be VERY crowded. Good luck with your decision.
Weatherman
system
#11
Mike was polite in his request; no matter how obvious the answer seems to the rest of us. Lots of times, learning the “informal rules” or what’s “cool” or not to do, is hard no matter what activity you do. Mike good luck; but in hiking as well as lots of other things; folks won’t necess. be “gallant” so to speak, about your needs if you are trying to take an easier (less to carry) way out. As mentioned, folks will be there if you need real help; but not cuz you want to be less burdened.
Neela
system
#12
There is something worse than ultralighters who mooch. It’s ultralighters who brag about their mileage, and then mooch.
Skyline
system
#13
You may ask someone to move over in a shelter to make room for you (politely of course), providing there actually is space but to ask someone to leave is RUDE,RUDE, RUDE!
Tell it like it is
system
#14
…and it’s much quieter under your own tarp, because you can’t hear yourself snore!
JoJo Hiker
system
#15
The saying that “The shelter is full only when everyone is in it.” sounds nice, but in reality, the shelter is full when another person cannot be squeezed anywhere in the shelter. At that point, a new arrival will have to set up sleeping arrangement elsewhere. I have seen times when a tarp or tent was loaned to a late arrival for the night, but don’t count on it. Best to carry some type of shelter!
Hiker
system
#16
Out of 13 responses, only 1 was truly unfriendly in this particular thread. Making generalized statements like yours not only did not help Mike, but it could give other newbies the wrong impression of this site.
Trailjournals and most hikers are all about helping newcomers.
Wild Hare