Are shelters hard to get?

[RKelleyJr]

Does anyone have any thoughts on how hard it will be to get a shelter spot for this friday and saturday?? How early should we get there on friday to have a fair chance? Also, is there a source to get water near hojo's? I have purification stuff, or is there enough snow around the shelters that melting some is not a problem?

[This message has been edited by RKelleyJr (edited May 08, 2001).]

[M@]

Last weekend I think the shelter space filled up friday afternoon. The weather was questionable too, kinda cold. I would bet this weekend it'll fill up a little later becuase of the current weather forcast. Tpyically, friday afternoon is the cutoff time. If you get there in the morning, before 10am, you've got a "fair chance." You have to reserve the spot at the base of the trail at Pinkham Notch. (fyi) So you know if there's a spot before you hike up.

There is a "watershed area" stream about 100ft from HoJo's where you can get water from the stream. You really need to purify this water. Iodine, filter or boil. There is also a lot of snow still up there, so if that's what you want to do, it'll work as well.

M@

[SherpaKroto]

If you are going on a Saturday, you can pretty much guarantee a spot if you get to Pinkham Visitor center at 6:00 AM. Get right in line and wait until it opens at 6:30. All parties must be present to get a pass. No Exceptions. I've never been shut out when I am in line by 6:00 (but getting there earlier never hurts.) Fridays never seem to be a problem if you get there by 8:00. Good Luck - SherpaKroto

[RKelleyJr]

Do the tent platforms go quickly also? Maybe I'll bring a tent as far as the visitors ctr. just in case. Are the tent areas still under snow?

By the way...Thanx for all the great info!!


-R

[SherpaKroto]

As far as I can remember, the passes are for an overnight stay - regardless of where you actually stay. If you have a pass, you have a shelter space. If you prefer to use a tent platform, that's your choice (you still need the pass). If you get shut out, and still want to head up, now that the snow is melting, you can camp without a pass 200 feet off the trail, at least 1/4 of a mile away from the Cutler Drainage area (but not up into the bowl). We've done that before, and it's OK, but makes for a longer walk in the morning (still shorter than Pinkham's). You've got nothing to lose by taking the tent in the car. Again, if you are in line early, there have always been some spaces left in the morning. - SherpaKroto