[at-l] hut-bashing question

[Bob Cummings <ellen@clinic.net> (Bob Cummings)]

"...Con  non-hikers in other beds"

Relatively few hut users are long distance backpackers. But the vast majority
are hikers. Even those who walk down to Lake of the Clouds after a bus or train
ride to the summit of Washington are required to do a steep, always rocky
two-mile round trip above timberline on a mountain known for quickly and
unexpectedly developing some of the most severe weather in the East.

Few television couch potatoes will attempt it. Once there, they won't find
luxury conditions. Bunks are mostly three tiers high. No springs. Just camp
mattresses on a plywood board.

Even Lonesome Lake, which is promoted by AMC for use by families, is a steep
mile plus up a rough trail. For thousands of kids it is their introduction to
the woods and mountains. A wonderful thing in my opinion.

 The other huts require major hiking by ordinary couch potato standards. Think a
 somewhat shorter, but equally steep access trail from Amicalola to Springer
 that so many thru hike dreamers seek to avoid.

 But there are cons to the huts that Rami failed to mention. Hiker clothes are
 never tattered and dirtied to proper thru hike standards. And most hikers in
 the other bunks lack that proper backpacker smell.

 Weary