Double (Triple?) Shelter Mileages

[Awol]

Whenever a shelter is listed in the data section of the book, it is followed by the notation:

10 < 5 < > 6 > 12

...which, in this simplified example would mean that the next shelter north is 6 miles away, the second shelter north is 12 miles, and that the next two shelters to the south are 5 and 10 miles away.

That would be in the NORTHBOUND edtion; in the SOUTHBOUND edition, the directions would be reversed.

These "double shelter mileages" are exclusive to App Pages, and are very popular. But sometimes even the second shelter away is still too close. Do you think that TRIPLE mileages would be helpful or too busy?

20 < 10 < 5 < > 6 > 12 > 18

[Survivor Dave]

First off, I just want to say that I think the multiple mileage idea is really great.

I've only hiked to Fontana Dam so far, so I haven't really seen a whole lot of the AT just yet.
Let me toss this idea at you. If say the double mileages add up to less than the so called average of 13 or so miles a day, what about doing the triples if it is less than 26 miles for two shelters. I just use 13 miles, as I have seen that number thrown around as an average quite a bit.

As hiking maniacs develop:D in the latter stages of their hikes, they do BIG miles where the triple shelter idea would be very helpful.

Some folks might use the established campsites in the book also.

I know this is difficult for the new to Trail life hikers leaving Springer Mountain, as they usually don't build up to bigger miles until around North Georgia.

I wasn't sure if it was an "all triple or all double" thing that might be set up in your program software or if you had to do each individual shelter distance(s) seperately.

Just a thought.

Geez, My brain is in meltdown after that. I hope that made sense.:o:D

SD

[Kirby]

I think three would be a good medium. There are times when the next two shelters are within five miles, but the third shelter might be a reasonable 12-16 miles out.

Kirby

[LYLE]

Yeah, I think this is a good feature and would be improved by adding the third shelter. You know how lazy long distance hikers can be.:D

[Awol]

I've been thinking about this more since my original posting. Do you really use the multiple distances to the shelters BEHIND you?

The "double shelter mileages" in both directions was originally implemented thinking that we'd keep it convenient for NOBOs and SOBOs. But we ended up making a SOBO edition, so maybe it's best to customize each book.

I was hesitant even to suggest the triple shelter mileage, because the long string of numbers could be intimidating.

20.3 < 10.1 < 5.5 < > 6.2 > 12.0 > 18.7

If distances are only for the shelters to the north, we could show 4 shelter distances with less clutter:

> 3.1 > 8.1 > 20.5 > 26.3

If a southbound hiker ends up with the NOBO book (outfitters only sell NOBO), then he could still figure it out by looking at the distances listed next to the prospective destination shelters.

[attroll]

I think we should leave it in both directions on each book. The reason being is that some hikers jump ahead and then hike back. If we removed the opostie direction then they would not have these mileages to reference when they hiked in the oposite direction.

[Kirby]

I think we should leave it in both directions on each book. The reason being is that some hikers jump ahead and then hike back. If we removed the opostie direction then they would not have these mileages to reference when they hiked in the oposite direction.

I 100 percent agree, keep the book convenient to both NOBO's and SOBO's. I can't tell you how many times a SOBO looked at my book for the quick shelter information.

Kirby