Fear of collapse causes shelter closure
A beloved shelter on the Appalachian Trail near Roan Mountain is closed until further notice due to structural damage.
The Overmountain Shelter, located in Avery County, was originally a barn on a private farm that was acquired by the U.S. Forest Service in 1979 and later converted into an A.T. shelter by the Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club.
The Forest Service closed the shelter after its engineers determined the building had become structurally unsound and unable to safely accommodate people. Further evaluations will identify viable management options for the site. The fields around the shelter are still open for tent camping, offering beautiful views of the Roaring Creek valley. Campers are asked not to pitch a tent within 40 feet of the barn in case of collapse.
