[deoetdoctrinae]

It would be wise to hike in groups or a minimum of pairs, as there really is 'safety in numbers'. Also, going armed is prudent almost everywhere.

I'm hoping the woman will fully recover, and the perpetrator will be caught, convicted, and caged for a long time.

[momincombatboots]

i have hiked that trail. Never alone though. No fun in exploring nature without someone to share it with. My kids carried the bear spray and I just carried.

[ConradofMontferrat]

I think Wee Willie Klintoon banned firearms in the national parks and forests.

I can’t remember if it was rescinded, I do recall a big fight over it, with the bureauKaRatz yelping about how no one EVER gets attacked in the parks and forests and why do you EVIL Republicans want to turn them into Dodge City.

However, I do also recall that this is NOT the first time for this kind of thing. There was a guy going up and down the Appalachian trail raping and murdering people, and there were others, I just don’t recall right now.

[ConradofMontferrat]

Just checked.

That idiot law WAS repealed in 2010, but not without a lot of teeth gnashing by the moonbats.

http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/22/local/la-me-parks-guns22-2010feb22

[Caipirabob]

Horrible! I have been to the Smokey’s many times. ALWAYS armed. Be it animal or human animal, there’s simply no one there to help you in many stretches of the woods. You are on your own...

[Romulus]

a woman stabbed on the Gatlinburg Trail

This attack was almost certainly by a day use visitor to the Park, very close to his vehicle and "civilization". Though all of the Park is relatively safe, the back country is far safer than day use facilities attracting casual visitors and those who would prey upon them.

[hinckley buzzard]

I recall occasional reports of such attacks along the Appalachian Trail over the years. Not frequent, but often enough to remind hikers that just because they meet someone out there in the middle of nowhere, he is not necessarily friendly, and that they need to be prepared to defend themselves.