Joined:
Sep 2024
Posts:
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MB, CAN
Posted: 9/7/2024 11:39:50 PM EDT
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I do a ton of back country camping and hiking and was hoping to do a through hike of the AT in a couple years. Stumbled upon a bunch of stuff on YouTube about the AT. Some weird stuff “apparently” goes on in those parts. Being a non resident and a from a country that thinks guns don’t belong in our hands, would be carrying pretty much a knife and spray, Anyone else hear about weird $&@“ like this going on in the Appalachians? ENCOUNTER with FERAL PEOPLE in the SMOKY MOUNTAINS https://youtu.be/y3UJXRHUF_8 |
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Mountains of WV for years..ain't never seen no shit like that before. You have hillbillies and methbillies. If the hillbilly tells you not to go in that holla. Don't. If the methbilly tells you to go through that hollla. Don't, there are no warning banjos. People are particular about their property. Some may send rounds over your head. Some my drop them close.. Most are good, genuine people. You will definitely know it if they are the other type. |
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Originally Posted By gtpness: I've watched enough videos of 18 to 25yo girls doing the AT solo [at least at the start] to where I feel it's safe enough that I'd feel comfortable on it. This right here above. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLme8MCapeExuSPuL58hrIek4Uvf5NB9SF&si=Jg_dZka29LCSkFiS About 3,000 people attempt to thru hike the AT each year. It's not like you are wandering around rural Appalachia with banjo music in the distance as a fog drifts down from the mountains. Between thru hikers, section hikers, and day hikers there a lot of people on the trails. I'm sure there is a certain amount of crime, theft, vandalism, etc. Especially in areas with easy trail access. Higher risk in city and town areas. Be aware of your surroundings, the people around you, and if it feels off then keep moving. Your biggest threat is probably Giardia, blisters, and Noro virus from people not washing their hands sufficiently. https://appalachiantrail.org/explore/plan-and-prepare/hiking-basics/safety/safety-and-crime-prevention/ Personally for me the AT would be the last of the Triple Crown to hike due to the people. CDT, PCT, then the AT. |
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Originally Posted By Terriblis: This right here above. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLme8MCapeExuSPuL58hrIek4Uvf5NB9SF&si=Jg_dZka29LCSkFiS About 3,000 people attempt to thru hike the AT each year. It's not like you are wandering around rural Appalachia with banjo music in the distance as a fog drifts down from the mountains. Between thru hikers, section hikers, and day hikers there a lot of people on the trails. I'm sure there is a certain amount of crime, theft, vandalism, etc. Especially in areas with easy trail access. Higher risk in city and town areas. Be aware of your surroundings, the people around you, and if it feels off then keep moving. Your biggest threat is probably Giardia, blisters, and Noro virus from people not washing their hands sufficiently. https://appalachiantrail.org/explore/plan-and-prepare/hiking-basics/safety/safety-and-crime-prevention/ Personally for me the AT would be the last of the Triple Crown to hike due to the people. CDT, PCT, then the AT. …and ticks |
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Originally Posted By gtpness: I've watched enough videos of 18 to 25yo girls doing the AT solo [at least at the start] to where I feel it's safe enough that I'd feel comfortable on it. My wife and I have been up and down the AT from GA to VA. A couple weird experiences, but not like that. And yes, we've run into a dozen or so (cute) female solo hikers. The only issues are usually the shelters that are pretty close to main roads. You'll get some yutes hawking their shit during the peak through-hiking seasons, but that's about it. Wife and I have both done solo section hikes as well...we both carry. ROCK6 |
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
Joined:
Oct 2022
Posts:
536
EE: 100% (15)
VA, USA
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My general impression of the AT is that the greatest danger as far as crime is concerned is getting your car broken into in the parking areas at the trail heads. Prime pickings for thieves. They know their victims are miles away. I know from personal research that it's possible to get some intel reports on specific parking areas from people who have used them. Some of this info is posted in reviews online. FWIW, this is the main thing that has kept me off the AT in my area. The closest parking areas have a bad rep. |
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The stupid YouTube stuff in the OP is complete rubbish. Moving along... I wouldn't bring a gun. Minimizing weight is one of the most critical aspects of having a successful and enjoyable hike. I can think of only one thru hiker I've ever met who carried a firearm. How crucial is weight? I put this question to dozens of NOBO thru hikers one year: Gold is worth $1200 an ounce. Knowing what you know now, 800 miles into the trail, how much gold would you carry on your hike if you get to keep it at the end of your hike, provided you hike with every single ounce of gold that you started with? If you have to shed any weight of gold somewhere along the hike, you forfeit all of it. For $10,000 at the completion of their hike, an amount of money that was nearly double the cost of their expenses to complete this 6 month long hike ... 8 ounces was the median answer. 8 ounces. |
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Originally Posted By Coolio: My general impression of the AT is that the greatest danger as far as crime is concerned is getting your car broken into in the parking areas at the trail heads. Prime pickings for thieves. They know their victims are miles away. I know from personal research that it's possible to get some intel reports on specific parking areas from people who have used them. Some of this info is posted in reviews online. FWIW, this is the main thing that has kept me off the AT in my area. The closest parking areas have a bad rep. This is why we typically section hike. We park our car at a bed and breakfast or similar where it's relatively secure and shuttle back to where we start and hike towards our car. ROCK6 |
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" - Thomas Jefferson
