Bears are not the biggest danger on the AT. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is a 501c3 organization. Note: There is NO REASON for you, or anyone, to EVER go into Big Island, VA. (population -249) Anyways, I was stranded in the ruler of all Podunk towns with no way to call home, buy food, get money, nothing! Connecticut’s Appalachian Trail spans 51 miles through the northwest corner. Bears on the Appalachian Trail. by Ashli December 11, 2014. by Ashli December 11, 2014. But I would bet money … All because I was hasty and forgetful on the hitch in to town. Anger is common to us all. Making a poor decision or a simple mistake can sometimes lead you into really bad situations. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. It pays to be in shape. But, can a beginner hike the AT, or is it just for experts? The trail is about 2,200 miles (3,500 km) long, though the exact length changes over time as parts are rerouted or modified. Fatal Stabbing on Appalachian Trail Is Uncovered Thanks to GPS and a Dog James L. Jordan, 30, of West Yarmouth, Mass., was charged in the … They think they can tell the difference -- somehow -- between average people, unusual but safe strangers and dangerous people on or off the Appalachian Trail. I would have shot my hiking partner so many times on those really rough days, but then I would have quit on all those same rough days because he wasn’t there to tell a stupid joke that both annoyed me to no end and also got me to Katahdin. Dangers of the Appalachian Trail Creepy People in the Woods Threat level: LOW . The Appalachian Trail’s history, just like its geographical coverage, is long and full of remarkable changes. What a familiar phrase. ‘Wrong Turn’ (2021) The Newest Reimaging Reminds Us Again of the Dangers in Straying Off the Appalachian Trail - The Blood Shed Tomorrow's Horror Legends Today! Doctor Grumpy's Ten Tips for Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers. Dangers of the Appalachian Trail and How to Avoid Them. Although you are still more likely to run into problems on the trail because of inclement weather or slipping and falling, violent crime on the trails is not an uncommon occurrence. Carry a paper map, and don’t count on your phone. While the Appalachian Trail is a relatively safe place to visit, that does not mean that there are not potential dangers while you are hiking or camping. Things don't always turn out so well. Once you are out of danger, if you are able to submit a detailed report about an incident, such as damage to the Trail, bad behavior at campsites/on trail, a missing or delayed hiker, or a person(s) of concern, please complete and submit the A.T. I hiked with someone whose pack was stolen in Hanover, New Hampshire as he was eating inside a restaurant. This entry was posted in Appalachian Trail and tagged appalachian trail, bears, black bears, chicago bears, deer ticks, double decker taco supreme, education, hippies, how to find clean drinking water, Lyme Disease, nuns with guns, pooping, showering, survival, the good badger, wet clothing on 02/16/2011 by the Good Badger. Danger on the Appalachian Trail. anywhere lacking walls and a roof!) After, I finally calmed down and accepted my fate as a wayfaring nobody that didn’t live in the world of modern currency or even exist on paper anymore, the unthinkable happened. You must be aware of your surroundings at all times. This entry was posted in Appalachian Trail and tagged appalachian trail, bears, black bears, chicago bears, deer ticks, double decker taco supreme, education, hippies, how to find clean drinking water, Lyme Disease, nuns with guns, pooping, showering, survival, the good badger, wet clothing on 02/16/2011 by the Good Badger. It is a common sight in a trail town to see a line of packs leaned up outside an outfitter or restaurant. A Guide to Safety on the Appalachian Trail You’re unlikely to encounter a bad guy, but be cautious anyway. As the father of two adult daughters, I felt a bit of concern for her. It often doesn’t feel that way, but it is true. It’s not the longest or most difficult section of the trail, but it has dangers that typically surprise most thru-hikers. But just how dangerous is hiking the Appalachian Trail, and what are those potential dangers? I chose not to mention it to my mom because I wanted to spare her the worrying. However, the incidence of such crimes is quite low relative to the millions of people that hike the trail each year. Remember that it’s more likely that you’ll hurt yourself by falling or other accidents on the trail, but that doesn’t mean that you can let … Immediately, local outfitters and citizens of Hanover stepped in to reequip him with everything needed to complete his hike. ~~ Photograph by Robert Sutherland. The first recorded murder on the trail occurred in 1974, and about a dozen people have been killed since that time. The Real Dangers on the Trail (Student Exhibit) Snakes on the Trail After a long day of hiking up and down hills following trails through the woods, things can tend to get a little monotonous. We all struggle with forgiving those who wrong us. While the Appalachian Trail is not an inherently dangerous place, there are, like all things in life, dangers you will come across. When it gets real bad and you’re in a terrible place for it, the fear of God gets in you and you just start running as fast as you can. They have visions of me fighting off … Don't be afraid of strangers but be cautious. It extends from the Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. The Appalachian Trail twists and turns for 2,190 miles through 14 states from Georgia to Maine. Over knife edged rock scrambles in a crazy heavy downpour, requiring exact and sure footing even on a dry day. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, hundreds of long-distance hikers paused their trips on the Appalachian Trail and headed home. A former FBI profiler, Dr. Mary Ellen O'Toole, authored a book on ways to discern the traits of dangerous people. People get lost and die of exposure and starvation this way. This is just a hazard for us women everywhere we go, regardless of being at home or on the trail. According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy website, approximately three million people visited the trail this year (2016). To honor the 99th birthday of America's national parks, visitors to any of America's 408 national parks will receive free admission on August 25, 2015. This is all parents of all thru hikers. Can you think of someone who appears to be a narcissist? Improper diet can make or break your dream of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. They think they can tell the difference -- somehow -- between average people, unusual but safe strangers and dangerous people on or off the Appalachian Trail. The trail is about 2,200 miles (3,500 km) long, though the exact length changes over time as parts are rerouted or modified. She is not a psychopath. Covering more than 2,000 miles from Georgia all the way to Maine, the route passes through 14 states, climbing the equivalent of Mt. According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy website, approximately three million people visited the trail this year (2016). Completing an Appalachian Trail thru-hike is both draining and rewarding, mentally and physically. Which leads us to…. In certain areas, you can easily resupply so this can reduce your load for a little while. Blood Mountain is the first big mountain for Northbounders. In order: 1. Over the highest peaks on the AT in knee deep snow and unimaginable drifts, with frozen water, frozen clothes, frozen hair and frozen bones. It is more than vanity or being self-centered. And it has become so popular that 3 million people a year step foot on it, in some form or another. Welcome back to another post trail video on topics surrounding the Appalachian Trail. She wasn't the least bit weird (except for being a thru-hiker). It starts on Hoyt Road in Wingdale, NY and ends at Bear Mountain in Salisbury at the Massachusetts border. Check in often. According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the proposal for the hiking trail was first presented in 1921, but the Trail was not technically completed until 2014 when a final major stretch was formally acquired and received permanent protection. “Are you bringing a gun?” “A gun?! This is why you have to prepare properly in advance and get all the necessary information ahead. Check in often. Dr. O'Toole says dangerous people who are classified as "psychopaths" -- roughly one person out of every 100 -- often have these personality traits: Dr. O'Toole believes people often over-rate their ability to tell who is merely eccentric and those who might be physically dangerous to themselves or others. The driver of the van, which was headed nearly an hour down the road, some how spied my crinkled little Ziploc bag in the back of his van and RETURNED MY ENTIRE LIFES POSSESIONS! To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. As I prepared to thru hike the Appalachian Trail, this was the first thing EVERYONE wanted to know and I always thought it was so absurd. The AT Thru-Hiker’s Decision: Get Back on Trail or Call it Quits. Narcissism has been defined as "extreme selfishness with a grandiose view of one's own talents and a craving for admiration." Ok, so to be honest there were times I wish I had a gun. A thru hike, though crazy, daunting and terrifying when truly thought over, is meant to push you outside the comfortable box of life as you know it. Our CFC number: 12230. In this article […] Lyme disease is less a threat to your life (although it can be lethal) than it is to its quality. Now, as states begin the process of reopening, the wisdom of getting back on the path is up for debate. If you see something, say something — this will help us keep the A.T. as safe as possible for our visitors. When the weather takes a turn for the worst, most of the time you are not in a good position for it. It smacks you around and teaches you a few good lessons but it wont snuff the life out of you. For many avid hikers, thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT) is a life-long goal. Being from Germany, he continued on, not knowing what to do about his passport and legal paperwork, but dead set on getting to Katahdin regardless. Over balds in a lightening storm, leaning at a 45 degree angle into the wind. If you see something, say something — this will help us keep the A.T. as safe as possible for our visitors. The Appalachian Trail has actually been the site of numerous murders and other gruesome deaths over the years. In the last 16 years (2000-2016) there have been 23 Confirmed attacks have proved fatal by black bears. Everyone does it because it is many times required but also assumed to be safe. (a.k.a. The actual length changes from year to year as the trail shifts and detours are added or removed. Just be alert to those who appear to have qualities that might be dangerous. ‘Wrong Turn’ (2021) The Newest Reimaging Reminds Us Again of the Dangers in Straying Off the Appalachian Trail - The Blood Shed Tomorrow's Horror Legends Today! Our Tax ID number: 526046689. So help them out a little with it. The route runs alongside highways and roads, the big cities. Here are 8 tips for you if you're planning on branching out and hiking the Appalachian Trail alone. Why does everyone think I should carry a gun?! Thanks for sharing. In fact, this is not true. After getting a Fine Arts Degree in Photography, I set out and thru hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2013. Some hikers believe they have a special sense when it comes to judging strangers. Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Muriel "Nora V" Epling, hitchhiking near Franconia Notch, NH. It will soothe them to meet the people your around most often and see how trail culture really works. Godspeed. The more they know about how you’re doing, the less they will be hounding you. By the time he made it to the Ice Cream Man (Bill Ackerly, GO SEE HIM) a few days later, he was notified that someone had returned the pack and every single last thing was still in it. People like to ask me what the scariest thing that happened to me on the trail was. Learning how to hike the Appalachian Trail alone means making sure that your safety and survival skills are sound and supported by common sense, without having to develop intense paranoia about other hikers. Unfortunately, they couldn’t replace his personal items like his passport and his massively impressive and equally expensive Hasselblad digital camera. A book titled Dangerous Instincts: How Gut Feelings Betray Us was written by retired FBI profiler Mary Ellen O'Toole, Ph.D. If you do get lost, stay put. The Appalachian Trail twists and turns for 2,190 miles through 14 states from Georgia to Maine. Length: 78.5 miles (0 to 78.5)Highest Point: 4,458 ft (Blood Mountain)Overview and Why it is Awesome: Springer Mountain has become an iconic landmark for the Appalachian Trail. While there is some risk that comes with hiking and backpacking, it doesn't have to be more dangerous than doing anything else alone! Enjoy your time in the woods and on hikes. It's better to scratch someone's eyes in order to protect your life than it is to be a merciful victim. Being the most feared animal to be found on the Appalachian trail one would think that they are to be very dangerous. The only one that created concern of a fearful kind was the story of Inch Worm. People get lost and die of exposure and starvation this way. You might end up hitch-hiking solo to resupply in town. It can be the absence of a conscience. Jeffrey Ryan, author of Appalachian Odyssey: A 28-Year Hike on America’s Trail, is also a dedicated section hiker. Another was an older hiker who simply didn’t crawl out of his tent in the morning, suffering from heart failure in his sleep. The best trail mix is healthy, tasty and beneficial. By Billy Hathorn – Wikimedia. Here are 8 tips for you if you're planning on branching out and hiking the Appalachian Trail alone. Deaths on the Appalachian Trail are rare, but the 100 Mile Wilderness, with it’s challenging terrain and remoteness, can turn simple accidents and natural occurrences into life threatening situations, so be careful out there. However, along with bears there are several other dangers that come into play. The Appalachian Trail is the longest in America. Our Tax ID number: 526046689. But it is the familiar world around us that is the reason many of us choose to thru hike in the first place. These dangers are presented below: 1) Deer Ticks. Once you are out of danger, if you are able to submit a detailed report about an incident, such as damage to the Trail, bad behavior at campsites/on trail, a missing or delayed hiker, or a person(s) of concern, please complete and submit the A.T. Hope to meet you on your mile marker. I would argue that it is… most of the time. There are dangers on any hiking trail you go on. This does not mean that everyone who lacks maturity or who enjoys spontaneity is dangerous. Appalachian Trail Murders Murders on the Appalachian Trail are rare on a year-to-year basis but they are not unheard of. No matter how fit you are, it is impossible to hike on an empty stomach. Experts: Maine portion of Appalachian Trail dangerous, remote and heavily wooded. A year later I took it one step further into the outdoor retail world and started working for Mountain Crossings at mile 31.7 on the Appalachian Trail in north Georgia. Many spend countless days testing their mettle on trails far and wide before they set off on the journey of a lifetime from Georgia to Maine. She was fully supportive of my thru hike and her influences in my life were partially responsible for it happening but she was still my mother and therefore still prone to worrying about me as much as she could fit into a day. 8 min read. While the Appalachian Trail is not an inherently dangerous place, there are, like all things in life, dangers you will come across. The Appalachian Trail is said to be the longest footpath in the United States, it is approximately 3,500 kilometres long. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Avoiding trouble, however, is always your first defense. Whether it is the people in your life or yourself that have reservations about the safety of the trail, may this be an honest look into that concern. In the White Mountains, the Appalachian Trail traverses high ridgelines and summits, and rarely descends into the valleys for road crossings. In order: Leaving trail: Never do this, especially at night. That is the trail at work. In a person who exhibits other warning signs, narcissism can be life-controlling. Keep them updated. 3. Yes, but a person who freaks out irrationally should make you wonder if they might be dangerous. Have we all lost our tempers? Deer ticks present a perfect storm of risks to AT thru-hikers. By far, of all the times I thought I was going to die (except in the back of one particular pick up truck manned by Satan’s favorite speed demon) it was always because of weather. Read Dr. O'Toole's book for more insights and tips on staying safe in a world filled with kind and not-so-kind strangers. Leaving trail: Never do this, especially at night. My goal is to thru hike for my 55th birthday. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the A.T., is a marked hiking trail in the Eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. If you must, fight for your life. Dangers On The Appalachian Trail. It is human nature to fear what we are unfamiliar with. Many hikers go through a fairly … She disappeared in Maine two weeks ahead of my group and even after weeks of combing the area with intense searches, she was never found nor heard from. by Ashli December 11, 2014. by Ashli December 11, 2014. Outdoor Research MicroGravity AscentShell Jacket Review. Odds are against your finding your way back on trail. When I heard the news of Inch Worm missing, I was only a few weeks from Katahdin. Backpacker Radio 92 | Andrew Skurka Returns, How I Saved Hundreds on My AT Thru-Hike Gear List, The 2020 AT Section Hiker Survey: Motives and Logistics, 2021 PCT Long-distance Permits Will be Issued; Portal to Open January 19, A Complete List of Individual Permits Needed to Hike the PCT, Yellow Finch Tree Sitters Continue to Defy Mountain Valley Pipeline, 6 New Year's Resolutions for Backpackers and Thru-Hikers, Backpacker Radio 91 | New Year's Eve Sh*t Show Spectacular. But just how dangerous is hiking the Appalachian Trail, and what are those potential dangers? If you're going to hitchhike in an area where you don't know anyone and no one knows you, please be cautious. Connecticut’s Appalachian Trail spans 51 miles through the northwest corner. However, men did not sexually harass me on the Appalachian Trail anymore often than they sexually harass in my regular life. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. There are many things that can happen that will create fear in you but I sensed a trend in my own hike. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the A.T., is a marked hiking trail in the Eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. Dangerous people take this to an extreme. One was a report someone dying of hypothermia in the Smokies in January, dressed in very inappropriate clothing for the location and season. A plaque reading "Georgia to Maine--a footpath for those who seek fellowship with the wilderness" is embedded in the mountain to commemorate the Appalachian Trail. For me personally, and many other hikers, hiking the entire Appalachian Trail was one of the most difficult things I have done in my lifetime. Duke Energy Corp. and Dominion Energy Inc. have canceled the controversial 600-mile-long Atlantic Coast Pipeline that the companies planned to build under the Appalachian Trail. In fact, for the 2016 Hiking year there is only one recorded case of an actual bear attack. The Appalachian Trail is a good place to start. Tags: Appalachian Trail, Hiking, News, Crime, and Robert Sutherland Travel Writer. Heeding her tips might save your life. They will worry for you and it is to be taken as a compliment. Impulsivity can be observed in children and in adults who lack self-control. Wonderful. Even better, have them come out and meet you if they’re close enough. So, I turned my car around and drove her into Lincoln for conversation, pictures and Trail Magic. I can barely pick up my pack as is, why would I load it down with few more pounds of something I would never use? The most famous Appalachian Trail day hikes are located right here. It can be, however, one of the indicators of someone who might be dangerous. But with 7,000-8000 people a year being bitten by venomous snakes your chances of death by rattlesnake are considerably higher. Incident Report Form. And this was mostly because of bad decisions in regards to the weather. The Appalachian Trail will test you both mentally and physically. (If you are running away, the trail isn’t going to resolve or change anything for you because that’s not how problem solving works, silly.) According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, out of the 1,500 to 2,000 hikers who try to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail every year, only 200 to 300 hikers succeed. The Appalachian Trail is one of the most recognizable footpaths in the entire world. Upon my return, I landed a job where I got paid to nerd out about gear all day (Thanks REI). At least that is how I felt at the time. It is possible […] Dangerous people can be uncaring and inconsiderate with no remorse or guilt. — One last thing, as a reader pointed out, people have killed people on the Appalachian Trail. Danger on the Appalachian Trail. In other words, I psyched myself out a lot! This is where it all begins (or ends). Don't be afraid to stomp on the instep of an attacker or slam a knee into a male attacker's groin. According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the proposal for the hiking trail was first presented in 1921, but the Trail was not technically completed until 2014 when a final major stretch was formally acquired and received permanent protection. Bad things do happen on the Appalachian Trail because it is part of the regular world. Though I know this is a highly unlikely occurrence and I am still unshaken in my belief of the safety of the trail, this was a reminder that it is not immune to the bad things that life can bring. As said, it is necessary to have food for at least several days. While visiting Franconia Notch in New Hampshire's White Mountain State Park, I saw a young lady hitchhiking near the Appalachian Trail. Everest 16 times and taking approximately 5 million steps to complete. It was a probable place for such a thing to happen, it being a college town. For hikers heading north, hitting … Also, when you go home and your life source providing hiking partners aren’t around and you will find comfort in the friends and family that you shared the trail with as you hiked. They have visions of me fighting off bears or running away from crazy hill people. While there is some risk that comes with hiking and backpacking, it doesn't have to be more dangerous than doing anything else alone! Robbery / Rape / Murder: Indeed there has been some violence on the Appalachian Trail, including murders, which I outlined in this post about murder on the Appalachian Trail. The southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail begins on the expansive rock outcrop overlook at the top of Springer Mountain at 3,782 feet above sea level. But… The Trail Provides. We want to empower you to learn new ways to discern who might be a threat. In hearing these sorts of stories I was not concerned for myself or other hikers, only for the families and friends of these hikers. Our CFC number: 12230. Great info and insight. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is a 501c3 organization. Each year, thousands attempt to hike the entire trail. This past season, I heard more stories than I wanted to about fatalities on the trail but I couldn’t help but notice that they most seemed either preventable or wholly unrelated to the trail. Southern Maine. Isn’t it Dangerous? Engage all the bad feelings! Don’t fall prey to the fear, my friends. The Mid-Atlantic section of the Appalachian Trail may seem the busiest. When expressed appropriately, it is normal. 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