View Full Version : BMT Vs AT
john gault
12-12-2007, 10:22
I'm considering another hike this year (March 2008) from Springer to Harpers Ferry. Thinking about taking the BMT to Davenport Gap. I need steep climbs, I hate flat walking, it's what attracts me to the AT vice other trails. How does the BMT compare in this respect?
Frolicking Dinosaurs
12-12-2007, 10:26
The BMT stays lower for the most part so steep climbs are more limited. It isn't flat, but rolling -- lots of up and down ridges instead of mountains. If you like more solitary hiking and being in old growth forest rather than on mountain tops, the BMT is a better trail.
Theres a couple of real good climbs on the BMT in GSMNP, one to reach Newton Bald and one to get to Mt Sterling!
Lone Wolf
12-12-2007, 10:28
you want steep climbs go do the Long Trail starting at the Canadian border
john gault
12-12-2007, 10:33
you want steep climbs go do the Long Trail starting at the Canadian border
Never heard any part of the LT has steep climbs, I'll put it on my list.
Lone Wolf
12-12-2007, 10:37
Never heard any part of the LT has steep climbs, I'll put it on my list.
heh heh heh. :D plenty
Some of the "other" PA trails have steep climbs, since PA has no real high elevation it's made up for by steep descents and re-climbing. :)
Black Forest Trail, a loop network in the now-called "PA Wilds," is noted for a lot of steep climbing and re-climbing about 1,200 feet each time. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/hiking/black.aspx
Mid State Trail, now longer than VT's Long Trail, has a good bit of steepness much of the way. http://www.hike-mst.org/
The BMT is steeper and tougher than the AT in my opinion. At least in Georgia and the Smokies. I can't speak for the mid-section (Hiwassee River to 20 Mile Ranger Station) as I haven't hiked that part of the BMT yet.
SGT Rock
12-12-2007, 10:52
The BMT is steeper and tougher than the AT in my opinion. At least in Georgia and the Smokies. I can't speak for the mid-section (Hiwassee River to 20 Mile Ranger Station) as I haven't hiked that part of the BMT yet.
The sections I have walked are much like the AT in that you get a variety of ridge walks, steep ups and downs, and easy ups and downs. The main difference I see in that section so far is the services. Where the AT has shelters, hostels, stores that know hiker needs, angels, and shuttle providers along it that know the deal about hikers; the BMT doesn't have any shelters in that section, no hostels at all (and only a couple of low cost hotels), stores along the trail do not have hiker friendly re-supply for the most part, and the people I talk to in the communities don't know much about hikers and don't see anything special in it. In these ways I imagine this is probably what the AT was like decades ago.
In these ways I imagine this is probably what the AT was like decades ago.
Hmm. I am debating what I want to do for my vacation this year. I am also wanting to get some Eastern hiking in as well.
A 2 week or so jaunt on the BMT sounds interesting.
Would October be a good time? I love fall hiking and something tells me October in that area would be wonderful.
SGT Rock
12-12-2007, 11:17
I did a few jaunts out there, it was fine even with the drought. Just be advised that you may be out during bear season.
Hmm. I am debating what I want to do for my vacation this year. I am also wanting to get some Eastern hiking in as well.
A 2 week or so jaunt on the BMT sounds interesting.
Would October be a good time? I love fall hiking and something tells me October in that area would be wonderful.
October would probably be the best time IMO.
Hmm.
A 2 week or so jaunt on the BMT sounds interesting.
Would October be a good time? I love fall hiking and something tells me October in that area would be wonderful.
4 of us just did 7 days in GSMNP in October, it was beautiful!!
4 of us just did 7 days in GSMNP in October, it was beautiful!!
I started a thread in the BMT section. I am seriously thinking of thru-hiking it now in Oct 2008. I need some kind of hiking fix. :)
I did a few jaunts out there, it was fine even with the drought. Just be advised that you may be out during bear season.
Bears don't bother me. Besides, Italian food gives them heartburn. :D
In all seriousness, having been in Griz country and major black bear country (High Sierra), I'll just have to hope I learned a thing or two! ;)
(If not, then you'll read about some idiot hiker in the paper..hee hee)
He's probably talking about bear HUNTING season.
The major problem with which is being followed around by very hungry bear dogs.
Just take a 5 year old with ya, they'll kill the bears!
He's probably talking about bear HUNTING season.
The major problem with which is being followed around by very hungry bear dogs.
AH! That makes a big difference. :D Blaze orange it will be then...
Never heard any part of the LT has steep climbs, I'll put it on my list.
We made the Southern part easier for the AT thru-hikers. The Northern part is for real hikers!:D
take-a-knee
12-12-2007, 12:21
He's probably talking about bear HUNTING season.
The major problem with which is being followed around by very hungry bear dogs.
I might be wrong but I don't think it is legal to hunt/chase bears with dogs in TN, I know for a fact it is illegal in Ga except in a few counties down south near the Okefenokee. Hunters are an issue, wear orange, feral dogs are an issue all over the south, 9mm hydroshocks work fine for them.
I might be wrong but I don't think it is legal to hunt/chase bears with dogs in TN, I know for a fact it is illegal in Ga except in a few counties down south near the Okefenokee. Hunters are an issue, wear orange, feral dogs are an issue all over the south, 9mm hydroshocks work fine for them.
I don't know about TN, but last December I was followed by three hungry dogs from a ways north of Vanderventer Shelter to Watauga Dam. They may have been NC dogs that had failed to recognize the state line. They were wearing radio collars. Skinny. Friendly. Nice hounds. A couple of times they ran off and started baying, then they'd come right back and follow me some more. They left me for good near the dam.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
12-12-2007, 12:50
Hmmmm... if it isn't legal to hunt bear with dogs in TN we got a whole lotta illegal hunting going on.... hunting dogs are a serious problem in TN - though not so much in the GSMNP where all hunting is prohibited and they literally make a federal case out of it if you are caught. Locals know this so most caught are out-of-state tourists who don't usually have dogs with them.
BMT vs AT... WATER!
GSMNP has been very dry of late, but the BMT, with the exception of Newton Bald (had a trickle at least) and Mt Sterling, water was plentiful!
take-a-knee
12-12-2007, 13:17
Hmmmm... if it isn't legal to hunt bear with dogs in TN we got a whole lotta illegal hunting going on.... hunting dogs are a serious problem in TN - though not so much in the GSMNP where all hunting is prohibited and they literally make a federal case out of it if you are caught. Locals know this so most caught are out-of-state tourists who don't usually have dogs with them.
Probably coon hounds, 50-80# dogs in variety of colors/markings, they almost always have droopy ears, like basset hounds. These are expensive dogs, always have collars, and sometimes tracking collars. Always people friendly, the wild mutts that learn to take down deer, they are another matter. We've had a lot of hunters in GA attacked by wild dogs through the years and a few by coyotes.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
12-12-2007, 13:27
Probably coon hounds, 50-80# dogs in variety of colors/markings, they almost always have droopy ears, like basset hounds. .... wild mutts that learn to take down deer, they are another matter. We've had a lot of hunters in GA attacked by wild dogs through the years and a few by coyotes.I'm a country girl - I know the difference between a coon hound and a bear dog. Many of these aren't coon hounds.
BMT vs AT... WATER!
GSMNP has been very dry of late, but the BMT, with the exception of Newton Bald (had a trickle at least) and Mt Sterling, water was plentiful!
That's cause (as Cuffs is aware) the BMT stays in the coves for much of the Smokies. The AT predominantly a ridge walk.
saimyoji
12-12-2007, 14:21
I'm a country girl - I know the difference between a coon hound and a bear dog. Many of these aren't coon hounds.
I'm a city boy. Could you elaborate?
Attention all shoppers: this is about the BMT vs the AT. Now back to your regularly scheduled chat...
Off topic rambling is not only permitted in Other Trails. It is encouraged! Kinda like blue blazing for the internet. :)
Frolicking Dinosaurs
12-12-2007, 14:35
I'm a city boy. Could you elaborate?Coon dogs behave differently with humans than dogs that have been trained to find bears - coon dogs are friendlier and generally in better shape -- and nearly always have collars. Bear dogs are far less friendly, generally not a recognizable breed and move more quickly than coon hounds. They are more like 'junk yard dogs' than family pets. The floppy ears mentioned in prior post are usually not seen in bear dogs. The dogs do not normally tree a bear but anger it and bring the bear running back toward the hunter.
sherrill
12-12-2007, 14:40
BMT won by a field goal in the final seconds.
I'm a city boy. Could you elaborate?
Attention all shoppers: this is about the BMT vs the AT. Now back to your regularly scheduled chat...
Coon dogs behave differently with humans than dogs that have been trained to find bears - coon dogs are friendlier and generally in better shape -- and nearly always have collars. Bear dogs are far less friendly, generally not a recognizable breed and move more quickly than coon hounds. They are more like 'junk yard dogs' than family pets. The floppy ears mentioned in prior post are usually not seen in bear dogs. The dogs do not normally tree a bear but anger it and bring the bear running back toward the hunter.
Now, now Ms FD, per Cuffs it looks like she doesn't want this to go off topic..so which moderator will win out here :p
Now, now Ms FD, per Cuffs it looks like she doesn't want this to go off topic..so which moderator will win out here :p
Neither. I am the Moderator. Ramble on. But be nice. I don't want to break my record of never having moderated someone in the other trails section.
dessertrat
12-12-2007, 14:44
He's probably talking about bear HUNTING season.
The major problem with which is being followed around by very hungry bear dogs.
No, I think he meant BEAR season. Don't you know that Vermont bears tend to take their autumn vacations in Aruba?
Neither. I am the Moderator. Ramble on. But be nice. I don't want to break my record of never having moderated someone in the other trails section.
Now thats a cool record!
SGT Rock
12-12-2007, 14:50
I might be wrong but I don't think it is legal to hunt/chase bears with dogs in TN, I know for a fact it is illegal in Ga except in a few counties down south near the Okefenokee. Hunters are an issue, wear orange, feral dogs are an issue all over the south, 9mm hydroshocks work fine for them.
I didn't think it was illegal so I checked. It depends on the county and time of year. So like in Blount county where I live you can hunt bear with a dog 24-30 Sep, 12-15 Nov, and 29 Nov - 12 Dec. There is also a dog training season Sep 4-17 where no bear can be taken and no weapon possessed. There are other times where they are prohibited and the rules for dates change by county.
http://www.state.tn.us/twra/pdfs/huntguide.pdf
Frolicking Dinosaurs
12-12-2007, 15:03
Now, now Ms FD, per Cuffs it looks like she doesn't want this to go off topic..so which moderator will win out here :p::: Dino head spins around three times and she spits out pea soup :::
Appalachian Tater
12-12-2007, 19:19
::: Dino head spins around three times and she spits out pea soup :::
LOL. One of my favorite lines ever from a movie is "Your mother ***** ***** in hell." .
Neither. I am the Moderator. Ramble on. But be nice. I don't want to break my record of never having moderated someone in the other trails section.
Now thats a cool record!
Very cool.
Bear dog have a shorter back?
This sounds like a likeable trail, from Rock's description.
Mags, you sound like you have a case of the "browns."
Little foliage will cure you, especially if humidity is involved.
take-a-knee
12-12-2007, 20:29
I didn't think it was illegal so I checked. It depends on the county and time of year. So like in Blount county where I live you can hunt bear with a dog 24-30 Sep, 12-15 Nov, and 29 Nov - 12 Dec. There is also a dog training season Sep 4-17 where no bear can be taken and no weapon possessed. There are other times where they are prohibited and the rules for dates change by county.
http://www.state.tn.us/twra/pdfs/huntguide.pdf
I stand corrected, I would have bet money that it wasn't legal in TN, I can assure you it will never be legal in the GA mountains. GA DNR is proud of the bear population they've restored in the mountains and they zealously guard them. They are restricting hound hunting all over the state as a result of suburban sprawl. I think a bear should meet a nobler end than to be chased down like Cool Hand Luke (they didn't get Luke did they?)
saimyoji
12-12-2007, 21:33
Coon dogs behave differently with humans than dogs that have been trained to find bears - coon dogs are friendlier and generally in better shape -- and nearly always have collars. Bear dogs are far less friendly, generally not a recognizable breed and move more quickly than coon hounds. They are more like 'junk yard dogs' than family pets. The floppy ears mentioned in prior post are usually not seen in bear dogs. The dogs do not normally tree a bear but anger it and bring the bear running back toward the hunter.
Thanks for the reply. I don't know much about dogs, but it sounds like you really can't tell just by looking at the dog, but can by observing its behavior. Most hikers probably don't have this kind of experience. Including myself.
Sorry for drifting.....