I would consider myself and my group of friends novice overnight backpackers but we have done several day trips around the GSMNT area, and I would also say we have sufficient outdoor survival skills, knowledge, and gear. My question is, do you absolutely have to stay in a shelter? What if the destination you want to set up camp for a backpacking trip has no shelter within 5 miles? I have several trips planned with some buddies (all hammock campers) where we hike up a mountain, camp somewhere around the summit then descend the next day. These are really strenuous and long hikes to do in a day. I really want to be able to see the sunrise in the morning from the view up top. The ones I have in mind (Thunderhead, Mt. Cammerer) don't have a shelter available near the summit. We're good guys and would practice the leave no trace rules. Whats the risk of getting caught by a ranger and getting fined even if we have backpacking permits? Could we camp about 100 yrds away from the trail and be ok? Again im a novice, so any advice is good advice to me. Thanks fellow hangers. Btw, GSMNT doesn't allow camping outside of a shelter as far as I know.
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