desert dweller
Trail Wise!
Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
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Post by desert dweller on May 27, 2016 7:28:18 GMT -8
The New York Times published this today. Nothing new, really. Well, except this warning about the Norovirus which I hadn't considered. TRAVEL
A Guide to Safety on the Appalachian Trail
By MIKE McPHATEMAY 27, 2016
Norovirus, highly contagious, can travel fast on the trail, saddling its victims with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
“In the last couple of years, there’s been a troublesome number of cases of norovirus just from the communal eating and tight living quarters,” Mr. Miller said.
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Post by Lamebeaver on May 27, 2016 8:06:16 GMT -8
communal eating and tight living quarters Most of us hit the trail to avoid this |
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Post by Coolkat on May 27, 2016 8:32:59 GMT -8
Most of us hit the trail to avoid this True, but if you're on the AT you're probably not there for solitude. I seriously doubt that this is an issue on the CDT. |
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
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Post by rebeccad on May 27, 2016 9:05:53 GMT -8
True, but if you're on the AT you're probably not there for solitude. I seriously doubt that this is an issue on the CDT. One reason the AT has never been that appealing to me. That, and a certain lack of alpine scenery. |
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crawford
Trail Wise!
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
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Post by crawford on May 27, 2016 11:28:50 GMT -8
While I pass people on the trail, it isn't like we are snuggling up at night. Not sure what they heck they mean by communal eating and tight quarters. Just saying that after a few days on the trail the last thing I want to do is cozy up to someone in a small confined tent. Me and my hammock get along just fine. Also, can't remember a single time, even when hiking with a group, that we all huddled around the same meager Mountain House bag like a scene from Oliver (think "Can I have some more, please?") sharing it like a bunch of half trail crazed lunatics. Then again, maybe I've been missing an opportunity here...  |
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crawford
Trail Wise!
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
Posts: 1,775
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Post by crawford on May 27, 2016 11:30:21 GMT -8
a certain lack of alpine scenery. I understand this, but looking down the river valleys at the Lehigh Gap or Delaware Water Gap, especially in the fall is something worth seeing. |
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BlueBear
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@GoBlueHiker
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Post by BlueBear on May 27, 2016 11:43:21 GMT -8
While I pass people on the trail, it isn't like we are snuggling up at night. Not sure what they heck they mean by communal eating and tight quarters. It's an article specifically about the Appalachian Trail, which makes a lot of sense if you've ever seen an AT shelter (or even a picture of one) during peak hiking season. Different story for most backpackers in most other parts of the country. |
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Post by cweston on May 27, 2016 11:53:44 GMT -8
True, but if you're on the AT you're probably not there for solitude. I seriously doubt that this is an issue on the CDT. One reason the AT has never been that appealing to me. That, and a certain lack of alpine scenery. Same here. Heck, even the PCT is not that appealing to me, due to the lack of solitude. Getting away is one of my top priorities when choosing BPing destinations. |
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crawford
Trail Wise!
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
Posts: 1,775
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Post by crawford on May 27, 2016 11:59:42 GMT -8
It's an article specifically about the Appalachian Trail I am aware, and most of my hiking is on the AT. That said, I don't cram into shelters and never have. There are so many other sites that are open. While I've seen some, like the Allentown shelter, be nearly over run by folks (particularly on weekends), it seems that most folks I see sprawl out, not huddling in one site, but setting up on several different sites. To each his own I guess, but in all my years on the AT neither I nor my friends have crammed up into the Adirondack shelters with a bunch of others. That would go against the reasons we are up there. |
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BlueBear
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Post by BlueBear on May 27, 2016 12:07:50 GMT -8
It's an article specifically about the Appalachian Trail I am aware, and most of my hiking is on the AT. That said, I don't cram into shelters and never have. There are so many other sites that are open. While I've seen some, like the Allentown shelter, be nearly over run by folks (particularly on weekends), it seems that most folks I see sprawl out, not huddling in one site, but setting up on several different sites. To each his own I guess, but in all my years on the AT neither I nor my friends have crammed up into the Adirondack shelters with a bunch of others. That would go against the reasons we are up there. Sure, I don't disagree with you. But that's different than what you'd said before: Not sure what they heck they mean by communal eating and tight quarters. Obviously knew what they meant, just pretended not to because you prefer to do it differently. Hence the confusion. C'est la vie, no matter. |
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Post by immadman on May 27, 2016 16:06:20 GMT -8
I remember the shelters being crowded in the late 60's and early 70's. I can't imagine what they would be like now. I would not want to stay in one these days. We were young then and we thought the warnings about bears was serious. I guess to some degree they were. There was more than one night that one came up to the shelters and make themselves known.
On one trip a couple decided to stay outside the shelter. Apparently, they did not hang their food and one came up, destroyed their tent and backpacks. Fortunately, they were not hurt, but decided that the shelter was the best place for the rest of the night.
Although they (bears) are to be respected, most of us now know that taking steps to avoid attracting them is the best defense.
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