Shooting Star Shelter 2nd was built in September 2001 to replace the original Shooting Star Shelter, which collapsed the previous winter under record snowfall.
The original shelter, built in 1934 and named for a display of shooting stars observed during its construction, was situated on a rock outcrop.
The replacement shelter features a post-and-beam design.
Ferdinand Lauffer of the Northern Frontier Section designed the shelter and built a scale model of the post-and-beam design before constructing the three-sided, Adirondack-style structure in his yard with help from Don Petersen, Walter Pomroy, and others.
The shelter materials were disassembled into bundles and flown in by helicopter on September 21, 2001, in six 800-pound loads to each site.
The helicopter airlift had experienced delays due to the Federal Aviation Administration’s grounding of civilian aircraft in the wake of September 11.
Over thirty-five volunteers devoted well over 1,000 hours to the replacement projects for both Shooting Star and Laura Woodward shelters.
The helicopter airlift cost over $4,700, though materials and expertise were donated.
As of 2022, the lower, compost-holding structure of the privy was approaching the end of its useful life and required replacement, though the upper structure was expected to remain serviceable for additional years. The shelter continues to stand and provide shelter to Long Trail hikers.
Sources
- Long Trail News 2001 (2001). Green Mountain Club. 15.
- Long Trail News 2001 (2001). Green Mountain Club. 14.
- Long Trail News 2001 (2001). Green Mountain Club. 8.
- Trail Talk (Montpelier) 2005 (2005). Montpelier Section, Green Mountain Club. 5.
- Long Trail News 2014 (2014). Green Mountain Club. 5.
- Northern Frontier Newsletter (Northern Frontier) 2021 (2021). Northern Frontier Section, Green Mountain Club. 1.
- Long Trail News 2021 (2021). Green Mountain Club. 17.
- Northern Frontier Newsletter (Northern Frontier) 2022 (2022). Northern Frontier Section, Green Mountain Club. 5.
