Bookmark
There’s a good book on the subject titled “A Walk In The Woods “.
Just a caution though along the first part of the AT near Amicalola the trail is infested with meth heads you do not want to meet up with unarmed. Mr. GG2 and a friend had a run in with some a few years back and he was glad he was carrying.
Mount Mitchell, NC - Highest point east of the Mississippi.
A beautiful place.
My sole experience with the Appalachian Trail was back in the summer of ‘94. I was visiting Shenandoah National Park - pretty much a day trip down Skyline Drive with numerous stops to take in the views.
There was a westward-facing view near Bearfence Mountain. The place i went was called the Rock Scramble - piles of boulders that many years later, I wouldn’t dare to traverse. I sat up there for a good hour taking in the solitude and the view. I took pictures but as always, the pictures don’t describe it. After a while, i stood up and let out a long primal scream. not sure why. I just wanted to.
I was in tennis shoes, shorts and a tshirt that day. I walked about two miles of the AP. Very rocky and uneven but still fun.
Shenandoah NP is great. I hope to get back there again - one more time in my life.
I worked for three years at Shenandoah National Park in Virginian. The Appalachian Trail goes through the backbone of the Park. In three years, and seeing many, many through hikers, I only saw one with a smile on his face. Everyone else had simply a look of grim determination.
I think that, for most people, driving to special areas and doing day hikes would work better and be more enjoyable.
an excellent denouement to a fine narrative.
He found self-reliance and independence on the trail. Something modern children aren’t allowed to learn. Good for him!
What an interesting story and experience for a young man. I kind of think he started out a teenager, but emerged a man who has instilled confidence in himself that will help him carry on for the rest of his life. Something to be proud of for sure, and gotta commend his love of America.
Thank you so much for posting this. It was a delight to read.
The AT is just a few miles from my house. My house looks at a mountain that the AT runs across.
p
I once walked the ENTIRE width of the AppalachianTrail.
I hiked the AT from Fontana Dam North Carolina to I- 40. That’s about 70 miles. I did that in 5 days....
I’ve done a few dozen miles on the AT. Not enough to be considered a real hiker there. I’ve done a few weeklong treks on other trails.
A couple years ago I met a man from New Hampshire. He was one of the first 100 thru hikers.
During covid, a family I know decided to complete the AT in large sections. Among them was their eight year old son.
Nice story/
The Appalachian trail is about a mile behind my house... Thankfully hikers would have to be really lost to get to my house...there’s some freaks out there.
Been on it numerous times but never wanted to do the whole thing because I had a job. Now retired I hike a lot but home for supper!!
Fantastic.
I love the pieces of the trail I have walked.
And I admire those who can thru hike.
Getting up there some and I am not in shape to reach tall peaks. But I will keep walking it where I can.
I live in the opposite part of the country, so the AT is something I’ve never seen.
I did ride the entire Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes with my son back in 2015. 72 miles in one day on bicycles. Saddle soreness was the enemy.
https://friendsofcdatrails.org/interactive-map/
Great story.