Great Smoky Mountains: Visiting a Backcountry Shelter in GSMNP

[WARLOCKakaTROLL]

@greatsmokeymountains Ubetter be careful I almost got raped in one a dem

[Jerseyhighlander]

That's really disturbing. You have to make reservations and get permits to sleep in the woods now??? What's next, paved paths, escalators and a dress code?

Oh, and god forbid you have a campfire while CAMPING!

[dharmabumcoyote]

@Jerseyhighlander The environment that the park service manages is an extremely rare resource. Or haven't you noticed that in this country we have farmed, mined, and paved every square inch of land outside of the parks? Using backcountry shelters and forcing backpackers to have permits concentrates use and reduces damage to the woodlands from people trying to set up campsites wherever they want. It's the only option when everybody and their brother wants to "sleep in the woods."

[Photo314159]

@Jerseyhighlander At least it's still free, but I know what you mean. The rangers in Yosemite wouldn't let me step on the grass to get a picture I wanted. These same people did a "controled burn" the next year that went wild and burnt down 6000 acres of ancient forest. Seems kinda strange now that I couldn't walk on the grass. But we can't just do anything we want either. The woods would be a mess too. 

[captainscott2]

Great vid!!! I have spent many a night in this shelter, but the one that stands out was LATE APRIL of 1986, when a late season snow storm dropped over a foot of snow in the high country, the temperature plummeted...put plainly, it was VERY cold.....

[tilleywilly3]

can anyone tell how to get a job in the great smoky national park I have applied for different jobs is so hard to get one there

[deadonred]

Great video.