Hikers have to share shelters along the way, and those can get pretty crowded. I've asked them if there's a protocol for undressing if one needs to do that, and they've said that it amounts to "Neither a peeper nor a flasher be". In other words, do what you need to do without making a show of it, and don't embarrass anyone by staring.
I’ve heard that. Are there backpacking camp sites or is everyone required to use a shelter each night. No pitching-out on the trail at designated primitive sites?
Duane
The primitive shelter system on the AT and on the LT has been in place for many decades and is well accepted. It is a means to control unintentional damage throughout a very long point to point trail corridor that would otherwise occur were indiscriminate camping to be allowed anywhere along the trail. Because the trail exists within a narrow corridor that extends much of the length the east coast, there isn't as much opportunity for backpacking recreation to spread out over large expanses as in the west, though there are numerous side trails that serve as feeders for the main trail. Thus there is more risk of concentrated wear and tear on a narrowly defined foot bed. The "huts" or camps if you will because most also allow for tenting as well, are located about a half days' hike apart along the length of the trails. Some of the busier huts are staffed with a volunteer caretaker. A nominal donation is asked by the conservancy at these. A central feature of a typical overnight "hut" is a three sided rustic structure sized to sleep about eight persons upon a single large semi enclosed deck. Some of these have been upsized to include bunks that double the capacity and have come to resemble the oldest historic fully enclosed huts in floorplan. The newest ones that have replaced older structures at the busiest locations have grown into full blown unheated cabins that can accommodate up to 30 people. Everything is shared across gender. Most huts provide a source of filtrable water within a half mile radius, and all provide a composting outhouse. Most of these sites also provide, if topography permits, enough tenting space to effectively double the overnight capacity of the camp. There are a few camps that provide only tenting space and not an actual sleeping structure. Huts are located anywhere from 20 yards to 3/4 of a mile off the main trail to further lessen impact upon the trail bed itself. "Stealth" camping at other locations along the trail is not unheard of, but strongly discouraged both by the conservancies that oversee the trails and by the hikers themselves, seen by all as bad trail etiquette except in emergencies. Similarly, "pack-in, pack-out" is nearly universally embraced by all and the results speak for themselves.
Along the AT as it passes through the Whites in New Hampshire and now also in the Chairbacks of Maine is a network of "full service" huts operated by the Appalachian Club headquartered in Boston. More like the famed huts in Switzerland and Austria in the Alps that virtually turn the art of hiking into a gentlemen's sport, this style of hut generally requires fore-planning and advance reservations along with a noticeably stiffer fee for use. In return you receive heated communal bunk rooms (share across gender) with mattress, hot showers where practical, and hearty prepared suppers and breakfasts. Though frowned upon by some through-hikers who value solitude above all else, welcomed by other through-hikers as a pleasant change of routine, this controversial but well established luxury hut system helps in overall trail management and preservation because the network of trails in these mountains and the mountains themselves exert a magnetic appeal to an ever growing number of recreational hikers of every stripe.
John has also spoken here of yet another variation of smaller "limited service" hut that includes a small fully enclosed cabin, tent sites, and prepared breakfast. These exist at various points along the AT. John periodically serves as volunteer caretaker and head (and only) chef at at this type of hut located at Upper Goose Pond in Western Massachusetts.
Despite so much structure applied to a "wilderness" experience, it is still possible along vast stretches of both the AT and the LT to hike all day without seeing another person on the trail, especially if heading with the northbound flow of through-hikers and not during the forward moving but localized surge of the through-hiker season. The huts provide a convenient method to pace your hike over several days and and in my opinion enhance the overall experience. They have stood the test of time in our densely populated eastern seaboard.
-Dan
PS. Over the years of nude hiking these trails, I have always asked of my hut mates, upon arrival how they might feel about my nudity and have been welcomed to be simply naked around camp more often then not. In the other occasions, my basic wrap of Running Kilt or similar has been sufficient to put others at ease, even in AMC full service huts. I always sleep naked regardless of type of accommodation (full service or no) and I generally venture out at night to answer nature's call without clothing (except at the full service huts).
