Tent or Shelter?? Opinion

[Finhead]

Hi all. Been a lurker for long time. LOVE THIS SITE. Planning my first "winter" trip (mid April). Don't think I would have attempted without the info from y'all.

I understand shelters get crowded (mid April). Probably more fun with the crowd in the shelters, however If I feel the need to crash, I might look forward to retiring to my tent (1.5 person, 5lb Mountain Hardware tent).

More room in shelter to hang, spread out gear? Less elbow room with another sleeping bag right next to you? Will probably be up late night, just not all night. Would like to get some sleep.

Is is tough to even get a tent platform with only 3?

Thoughts? Opinions? Rants?.... :D

PS. Anybody using Ski Boards? :cool:

[NatureBoy]

The tent platforms do fill up quickly around mid April. If your planning a weekend trip, then chances are you'll luck out on a platform unless you can get up there by Fri afternoon/night. Just make sure you go into the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center first to purchase camping passes. They can tell you if there's going to be platforms open. The lean to's are decent if you ask me, the bonus with a lean to is obviously not having to lug your tent up, but the draw backs are lack of privacy basically. Hope I helped!