The speaker, Tara (aka Candy Mama), discusses her personal experience and reasons why she thinks staying in shelters on the Appalachian Trail may not be the best option. She categorizes her concerns into two groups: people and animals. Regarding people, she mentions that sleeping among strangers can make her feel vulnerable, and she shares a personal anecdote about encountering a mentally unstable individual at a shelter. She also talks about noise disturbances, the risk of contracting illnesses like norovirus, and the lack of privacy.
As for animals, she highlights the presence of mice and rats, which can carry diseases and be a significant nuisance. She also mentions bears, snakes, and spiders, but considers mice to be the biggest issue.
Tara emphasizes that she is not criticizing those who choose to stay in shelters, but rather encourages viewers to consider the pros and cons of each specific situation. She suggests reading reviews from previous backpackers and inspecting the shelter before committing to stay.
Ultimately, Tara concludes that the cons of staying in shelters outweigh the pros for her, and she advises viewers to reconsider their options.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The speaker, Tara, also known as Candy Mama, through-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2019.
2. Tara frequently stayed in shelters on the Appalachian Trail during her through-hike.
3. Shelters on the Appalachian Trail offer a quick setup and breakdown of sleeping materials.
4. Shelters provide a safe haven from the elements, such as lightning, downpours, intense wind, or falling trees and branches.
5. Each shelter on the Appalachian Trail is built differently and maintained by different people.
6. Shelters can be a good place to meet other hikers and backpackers.
7. In 2019, James Jordan killed Ronald Sanchez Jr. at a campsite on the Appalachian Trail.
8. Tara and her friends met James Jordan at a shelter and found him to be mentally unstable.
9. They decided not to stay in the shelter with him and moved on.
10. Norovirus is a common illness among hikers and backpackers, causing inflammation of the intestines and stomach.
11. Norovirus can be spread through contact with an infected person, contaminated surfaces, or food and water.
12. Most people in Tara's group got norovirus after staying in a shelter.
13. One person in the group, Smiley, did not stay in the shelter and did not get norovirus.
14. Shelters can be a breeding ground for mice and rats, which can carry diseases and spread viruses.
15. Mice and rats can also be a nuisance, running across sleeping bags and stealing food.
16. Bears can be a problem in some shelters, especially if they are not properly secured.
17. Snakes, spiders, and bugs can also be present in shelters, but are generally a minor issue.
18. Tara recommends considering the pros and cons of staying in a shelter and reading reviews from previous backpackers before committing to stay in one.