"There's Always Room for One More"

It's the thru-hiker mantra, and it's one that any of you who have made the journey understand. It refers to 'almost' always being able to find a spot in a shelter when arriving at one on the trail. Most shelters will fit anywhere from 6 to 14 people and occasionally shelters will fill up. Sadly, even times when a shelter isn't full, many people will refuse to allow other hikers to stay in one because they don't want their personal space bubble invaded. But thru-hikers for the most part, understand what it's like to come to a shelter after a long or wet or long wet day, just wanting to dump off the pack and boots and get some rest.

The scenario goes like this.

You're laying in your bag, writing in your journal or reading a book or just laying there and you hear the classic 'click' 'clack' sound of hiking poles approaching and then the words, "any room?" "Sure, c'mon in...there's always room for one more." We may groan or mumble a bit, but then sleeping pads, packs, piles of stuff start their sliding to make room for the hiker, even if he isn't a thru-hiker.

In some cases, shelters will be so full that everyone inside has to spoon, or people are laid at the foot of the sleeping platform, or on the floor of the shelter or the picnic table if that shelter has one. More people means more snoring and everyone just accepts that as part of the journey. Thru-hikers are incredibly tolerant of many things, but mostly are just thankful for a dry place to sleep and one more body to help share the shelter mice.