Appalachian Trail hikers stranded in snow rescued

AP via WJHL ^

[don-o]

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) - Three Appalachian Trail hikers who were stranded in the snow without shelter have been flown to a hospital by helicopter.

[RegulatorCountry]

Those mountaintop balds above 6,000 feet are no place to be in an electrical storm, your odds of getting struck are pretty high if you don't get out of there or at least lie down. My favorite of those bales is Max Patch, in NC not far from Asheville, it's gorgeous. a lot of people think so. I believe a bride was struck by lightning and killed there not too many years ago, though. That stunning 360 degree view means you're very exposed to whatever nature throws at you. The weather's so gentle and mild all around at lower altitude, it's deceptive. People get in trouble up there all the time.

[Rebelbase]

A long hike is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.

[Rebelbase]

The NC mountains can produce freak weather at any time. One spring day with blue sky that was dotted with white fluffy clouds I saw a bolt come down and strike a fence in a pasture not 50 yards from where I was.

[RegulatorCountry]

That fence was higher than you or it might’ve been you.

[freepersup]

Oh how I know. I spent twelve months on the trail over the last two years. I thought I was trying to reach Canada. I found out I wasn’t. Canada was the magnet. The trail was glue. Hiking the high sierras was sublime. I may be back out on the trail in a few days. Third time’s the charm. ;0)