RE: [at-l] Re: OB Trip report 4 & SMNP Shelter Question

["L. Parker" <lparker@cacaphony.net>]

The shelters (and practically every other campsite) in the Smokies are
rationed on a first come first serve basis. There are a certain number of
slots set aside for thru hikers on the AT every night. During peak season
there aren't enough, even if they set ALL the slots aside, but that's
another story.

The Park Service knows that you can't predict which shelter you will make it
to which is why they issue the permit to thru hikers the way they do.
Realistically, section hikers and day hikers DO have a schedule to keep so
reserving space is not a particular bother for them. Recently though the
Park Service seems to be taking an unofficial view that there is a
difference between a day hiker and a section hiker and is tending to lump
the latter in with thru hikers more and more.

A thru hiker will generally hike until it is time to eat or sleep and that
is the shelter or camp they stay in. So the Park doesn't really care which
shelter you sleep in. Conversely, they have to be careful not to let day
hikers fill up shelters on the AT in order to make sure there is room for
the thru hikers.

My suggestion: don't worry, it will work just fine.

Lee I Joe

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