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Whether you’re a thru-hiker, fast packer, or weekend warrior, sleeping in a shelter is a quintessential backpacking experience. Communal, man-made structures are ubiquitous on long trails like the Appalachian Trail, and can be found along footpaths nationwide. Sleeping under a solid wood roof can feel like a luxury, especially in adverse weather. But sharing the confined space with strangers can offer as much discomfort as camaraderie.
In the worst scenarios, shelters can be cramped, stinky, and loud. At best, they’re comfortable spots to rest and bond with fellow hikers. Follow these shelter etiquette guidelines, and you can ensure these communal spaces are welcoming for all.
Avoid the Yard Sale
It can be tempting to explode your pack after rolling into camp for the night, especially if you have damp gear that needs drying. But in a communal shelter, it’s important to keep your footprint compact. Try to keep your gear to a small section of floor surrounding your sleeping pad. Even when you go to sleep, it’s a good idea to keep your space neat and tidy; use installed hooks and clotheslines to keep gear off the floor and minimize tripping hazards for your shelter-mates who may heed nature’s call in the middle of the night. Plus, hikers who roll in after dark will appreciate a spot to bed down.
Respect Hiker Midnight
Socializing with other backpackers is one of the trail’s greatest joys. Just remember that some campers like to go to bed early. Keep the volume low as the evening wears on. Same goes for early mornings. Be mindful of sleeping neighbors as you pack up and roll out.
Be Careful of Critters
Mice and other vermin love to make themselves at home in hiking shelters. Do your part to keep structures pest-free by properly storing your food outside of the shelter. (Often, bear vaults or hanging cables will be installed nearby.) If weather permits, it’s a good idea to cook and eat outside of the shelter to avoid spills and crumbs that can attract critters. If you do eat in the shelter, sweep away any crumbs and ensure the space is clean before you leave.
Watch the Light
No one likes being awoken by a rogue headlamp beam in the middle of the night. Avoid shining your light in the direction of other campers as you go about camp chores or if you take a midnight bathroom break. Use your headlamp’s red beam when sorting through gear or entering the shelter; it’s less likely to disturb others than bright white light.
Grab a Broom
You might hit the trail to escape that growing list of chores back at home, but a night in a shelter offers the opportunity to give back to your fellow backpackers. Most shelters are equipped with a broom. If you’re the first to arrive or the last to leave in the morning, give the empty shelter a good sweep. It’s the least you can do in exchange for the roof over your head.
Don’t Carve or Graffiti the Structure
Leave No Trace matters here, too. While it can be tempting to leave your mark, carving or writing on shelter walls and floors disrespects those who volunteer time and labor to build and maintain structures for public use. Most shelters contain a logbook; you can doodle, wax poetic, and leave messages there to your heart’s content (just make sure other guests have an opportunity to write in the log, too).
Be Considerate
When it comes to sharing a small sleeping space with strangers, it all boils down to common sense. Be conscientious of your fellow backpackers and those who will come after you.