Why the Current Shelter Design?

imported
#1

It’s certainly great to have the shelters along the trail, but I’m curious how the current shelter design came about. Who built the first shelters of the “classic” design?

Mostly though, I’m wondering about the purpose of the logs that normally run from side to side across the front of the shelter, the ones that are normally about knee high or so. I’ve been told they’re there to keep porcupines out, which they certainly wouldn’t. So what are they for?

Colter

#2

Colter,

Your questions probably should be directed to Dave Field, a long time active maintainer in Maine, and past chairman of the ATC.

Dave and his family built and still maintains the Popular Ridge Leanto. Remember this one with the baseball bat decking?

Anyway, he maintains a book at the shelter titled “Why we do things this way we do in Maine” or something like that. The horizontal knee buster log in the front of shelters is called a “deacons bench.” If there’s an answer to your question, it should be in his book. Like you, I have been told that they’re there to keep the porcupines out, but as I have learned, it doesn’t. From a structural standpoint, a horizontal log like that does serve to hold the lower front corners of the sides in place and prevent one corner or the other from walking in or out over time.

About all the I know is that the “classic” lean-to design probably has its origins when the trail was first built in the 1930’s by the CCC.

So, I’ll ask, if someone knows why there is the knee breaker deacons bench, please enlighten us.

Peaks

#3

are you required to stay in them in some areas along the AT? i think i read that somewhere

astrogorilla

#4

As I recall, the only place where it’s required to stay in shelters is the Smokies. But even there, if the shelter is full, then you are supposed to tent near the shelters.

Now, there are other places where there are no camping regulations. Most noteably, above treeline in the Whites, and too close to huts, roads, etc. Also, Shenandoah National Park has no camping areas, such as too close to buildings, roads, etc, and at the higher elevations.

Peaks