re: First Snow of the Season in the Southeast

Bear shelters are rough 3 sided wooden lean-to shelters with an overhanging roof and many have a chain link fence and gate for human hikers to close and stay inside. There are usually racks a few feet above the ground to use for sleeping on. The one at the top of Mt. LeConte is usually frequented by bears several times during the night. The two times I did stay in that shelter, I got very little sleep because of the bears rummaging in front of it. The proper term for these shelters is "trail shelters", but from my perspective they are bear shelters from the protection they afford while spending the night in their bear country.

Think of it as a zoo exhibit in reverse, with the bears free to roam and you are part of the exhibit. Bring a bottle of your favorite boose and share with other hikers in your shelter. Had some fun times sharing adventures, stories, jokes, etc. with other hikers in our shelter for the night.