The Appalachian Trail Conservancy states there are more than 250 trail shelters along the Appalachian Trail. These trail shelters allow backpackers and hikers to get in out of the weather. The distances between the shelters vary, but the average distance between shelters is 8 miles.
Many AT hikers enjoy staying in trail shelters. Many avoid them if possible. I tend to be in the latter group. I will stay in a shelter if it’s raining or rain is predicted. Pitching or packing a tent in the pouring rain can be a miserable undertaking. If it is to be a pleasant evening, I’ll find a flat spot for my tent at the end of the day. The possibility of roving rodents or snoring humans places me in the shelter-as-a-last resort group. Rain drove me into shelters four evenings in row during my April section hike.
Are you in the shelter camp or the avoid shelter camp? Under what conditions would you sleep in an AT shelter?