[at-l] AT Shelters at Katahdin REMOVED

[Snodrog5@aol.com (Snodrog5@aol.com)]

I thought that'd get your attention...
The two small AT shelters at Daicey Pond are gone. First step in Baxter's big 
plans for dealing with the Thru-hiking 'special interest group.' The Rangers 
are cutting a new trail-preliminarily called the Blueberry Ledges Trail-that 
will cut four miles off the distance from Abol Bridge to Katahdin Stream 
Campground where the AT Shelters will be relocated. I know there's an old 
tote road that connects with the old Grassy Pond Trail, and I bet that's the 
new route. "That won't be a reroute of the AT," Ranger X says, "we can't do 
that." Ranger X also is of the opinion that Thruhikers are a 'special 
interest' group expecting the Park to accommodate them even when there's no 
room. "We can't do that, if we let them in when the Park is full, we'd 
couldn't close it to anyone, could we?" Ranger X is of the opinion that the 
12 hiker limit will be strictly enforced, no more 'extra spots just for them 
at the group camping areas'.
 This fall the Park placed a big box with sign up sheets at the 100 mile 
trail head. The box had a laminated Official Message and had twelve signup 
spots on an Official Form for spaces at Daicey Pond, and if the spots were 
full, you were instructed to wait at Abol Bridge or in Millinocket until your 
turn came up. (Absurdly, they gave phone numbers for a taxi service) Of 
course dozens of thruhikers bootlegged into the Park, dodging Rangers, 
stealth camping, night hiking, and so on. And hikers 'in the know' were 
skipping Hurd Brook shelter and getting to the sign-up box first. Ranger X 
said they were signing in their buddies that were behind them, cutting the 
line of 'first comers', and fighting when they got to Daicey Pond.
Your Katahdin Correspondent,
TJ
PS- this info needs to get to the Editor of the ALHDA Companion ASAP, please 
someone inform the right person?


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