Saturday, June 16. A New Roof for Nopel Shelter 

 Last fall, volunteers from the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association (ALDHA) helped to carry up 18 sheets of metal roofing to the shelter.

Prior to that,  Boy Scout Troop 3 on an Eagle scout project helped to remove the old roofing and install a temporary layer of roll roofing to get us through the winter.  Also, during that project, they re-built the earthen platform in front of the shelter, trimmed out overhanging trees and carried in a bear box.










Last week, we had 5 volunteers at the shelter to install the metal panels on the roof to complete the project

Jim and Kevin worked on installing panels on the front roof.

Don and Steve started cutting roof boards where the skylight panels would go.











After lunch, the remaining metal panels and skylight panels were installed on the rear roof and the ridge cap was attached to finish the project.

The skylight panels are a weak spot in the roof, a falling branch or tree could puncture or shatter the plastic.  We feel that the benefit to hikers of more light in the back and loft of the shelter is an acceptable tradeoff.   It also makes shelters easier to keep clean. Skylight panels can be replaced individually as needed.