Leaving tent & pack at Mt. Elbert camping area

[Point North]

Is it safe to leave your tent with stuff in it at the Mt. Elbert camping area, while you summit?

I plan to leave early in the morning, and come back in the afternoon. Since this will be part of an 80-mile CT section hike, I'd like to leave a lot of gear I won't need for the summit hike in the tent, some of which is high quality (expensive). I would think your stuff would be perfectly safe, but would like some feedback. Thanks.

[oldschoolczar]

Chances are you'll be fine, but no one can give you that guarantee. By and large I think most people hiking are decent people, but I have heard occasional stories over the past few years of people's gear getting stolen... I think the likelihood might go up a bit if you're camping at a trailhead where there's more traffic and easy egress for thieves. If you're a few miles and a few thousand feet in, I think the chance of theft diminishes but the consequences go up!

[tobiasfunke]

It's a numbers game. You'll be fine 99/100 times. Personally I'd stash it a few dozen meters in the woods and feel better about it. Crooks are everywhere, even in the mountains.

[SkaredShtles]

If you're section hiking, give some thought to getting further along than the campground. There are plenty of more secluded places to camp around the S Elbert trail...

[Jim Davies]

Yeah, I'd probably hide it in the woods also. Motorized access increases the number of jerks.

[climbingaggie03]

I would leave my stuff in the camp ground and probably not give it a second thought, but there are some nice more secluded spots further down the trail. If you do stash your stuff in the woods, it might be worth leaving a note saying the gear isn't abandoned and when you plan to retrieve your gear. To keep some well meaning person from carrying your gear out.