I know the forest service says camping in Notchtop Shelter is not aloud, but Ive read a number of accounts of people doing it. Im curious how seriously they take people camping in the shelter. Not sure if they just say not to camp there so it doesnt get out of control or what. Has anyone done it in the last couple years?
Im interested in doing the Halo ridge after resting their for an evening. This wouldnt be on a weekend.
Camping Notchtop Shelter
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gonefishing05
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TallGrass
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Re: Camping Notchtop Shelter
I've overnighted there prior to the ban, and it does have a padlock so may be inaccessible at times. The wooden benches have had to be secured inside, likely because there's a fireplace but no wood. I've also heard there's been issues with human waste. The door latch does a poor job of keeping the door closed and a decent wind will blow it open. It was tied shut to prevent this when I was first there. I'd camp below treeline off the Notch trail from Fall Creek, in a designated site in E. Cross Creek, or at the trail head. See my TRs for more info.
PS: allowed=permissible, aloud=not silently
PS: allowed=permissible, aloud=not silently
"A few hours' mountain climbing make of a rogue and a saint two fairly equal creatures.
Tiredness is the shortest path to equality and fraternity - and sleep finally adds to them liberty."
Tiredness is the shortest path to equality and fraternity - and sleep finally adds to them liberty."
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Scott P
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Re: Camping Notchtop Shelter
Last time I was there in the off season, the shelter was padlocked.
I'm old, slow and fat. Unfortunately, those are my good qualities.
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timstich
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Re: Camping Notchtop Shelter
I've never even seen the shelter and have climbed Notchtop at least three times. Where exactly is it?
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JQDivide
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Re: Camping Notchtop Shelter
To the south of the Notch's summit.... if you followed the ridge, you'd walk right by it.timstich wrote:I've never even seen the shelter and have climbed Notchtop at least three times. Where exactly is it?
Re: Camping Notchtop Shelter
Notchtop = RMNP.
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TallGrass
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Re: Camping Notchtop Shelter
Regardless of the typo for the Notch Mountain shelter at the start of the Halo route, the Notchtop timstich mentions sure is a nice looking peak!
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tlongpine
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Re: Camping Notchtop Shelter
Stayed in it in 2011, prior to the ban. It's a neat place but it was certainly showing signs of overuse and abuse then.
I am unable to walk away from the mountain without climbing it. An unclimbed mountain tugs at my consciousness with the eternal weight of time itself. Until I've pressed my face into it's alpine winds, hugged it's ancient granite walls, and put it's weathered summit beneath my heal I'm unable to resist it's attraction.Knowing nature gives the mountain more time than she gives us adds urgency to the obsession. As has been said before; the mountain doesn't care.
It can wait forever. I cannot.
It can wait forever. I cannot.
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Monster5
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Re: Camping Notchtop Shelter
It is nice, including many of the rock routes. I've done the N face route in December and it does indeed get a bit avalanchey. We found it WI4 and not the 5.7 WI3 mentioned, perhaps due to time of year.TallGrass wrote:Regardless of the typo for the Notch Mountain shelter at the start of the Halo route, the Notchtop timstich mentions sure is a nice looking peak!
Pitch 3
"The road to alpine climbing is pocked and poorly marked, ending at an unexpectedly closed gate 5 miles from the trailhead." - MP user Beckerich
