Fw: [at-l] Cheerio in the Smokies

["Coosa" <coosa@fox21.net>]

He said I could post to the List -- would like additional opinions, I think,
having just hiked a few trails in the Smokies that my opinion would be
similar to Cherrio's -- ALSO, I think I get intimidated by people in uniform
who have me sign up for shelters or state my itinerary.   I don't like that
kind of structure when I backpack.  That and chain link fences send chills
down my spine.    I still want to find a way to skirt most or all of the
Smokies.  What about a westerly route that avoids the Smokies all togehter?
Or an Easterly Route?

How about a NEW trail that parallels the AT?

Silly me, Coosa

-----Original Message-----

>Cherrio really overstates the issue of the shelters. The sectioners and
>those with reservations have priority over the shelters, but primarily
>as a means of putting those least able to camp with LNT in an idiot
>proof spot. The shelters are located where the water is. The cage is
>not neccessary, but tends to help newbies feel safer. Of course, the
>steel cables are designed to get food out of the shelters, and to
>decrease the mouse population, not as a bear deterent. The rangers are
>more frightened of Hantavirus than bears, currently.
>
>There is no reason you can't camp at some of the fire rings along the
>trail (Maple Sugar Tree Gap comes to mind), except no water there. Most
>thru hikers simply set up tents unless there was exceptionally bad
>weather and they were not comfortable with their tents. I think you
>would be warmer in a tent than the shelter, usually. The ridgerunners
>like to use us experienced hikers as good examples, and like to hear of
>the bad apples and "educate" them. Cherrio's bad actors at Mr Collins
>would have qualified for education.
>
>I suspect there are blue blazes around the Smokies, such as the Lake
>Shore Trail along the southern border along Fontana Lake, but
>eventually you would have to hit either Reservation land or Gatlinburg
>to get around the park. The Smokies demand respect, including rain gear
>and enough warm clothing, regardless of the calendar. After the
>Smokies, rain gear and extra fleece can go home until Vermont.
>
>If you can handle Standing Indian and North Georgia, the Southern half
>of the Smokies will be familiar, until you hit the Canadian Zone near
>Clingman's Dome. Clear days are few and far between, and to be savored.
>I had very uncommon luck to get 3 straight clear days last month.
>
>OB
>
>BTW, you can repost to the list if you like.
>
>--- Coosa <coosa@fox21.net> wrote:
>> I have had a strange fear of hiking thru the Smokies and the shelters
>> with
>> fencing across them are the main reason.  I've hiked on some trails
>> around
>> Cosby Cove area and stayed in the numbered campsites, though and
>> enjoyed
>> that.
>>
>> Somehow being locked into a shelter isn't my idea of camping, hiking
>> or
>> backpacking.
>
>
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