View Full Version : Dangerous sections of the AT to traverse
Trail Bug
01-30-2009, 09:52
Enjoy reading the journals and posts of the different things hikers experience on the trail. Anyone have a section of the trail they thought was particually dangerous to cross over. Especially if you have a fear of heights or exposure. This did not bother me much when I was a lot younger, but I look at things differently now that I am older.
Nothing particularly dangerous unless you have bad weather.
Knife's Edge on Katahdin. :)
PS - on a really windy day.
The Solemates
01-30-2009, 10:18
even knifes edge is pretty tame compared to most mountains in the west.
Don't get too worried about the Knife's Edge. It is not part of the AT and it is not necessary to cross. It extends from Baxter Peak and looks inviting but can be an attention getter for those not comfortable with exposed heights. Again, don't worry about it. Also, what you will probably find is that your concern about this issue as well as many others really is not that big a deal when actually encountered. This is true of high places, wild animals, lack of TV reception and other scary things. Go hike and have a good time but don't worry about issues that many others have handled quite successfully.
wrongway_08
01-30-2009, 10:44
Nothing to worry about. Only times anything is really bad is if the weather lays down a sheet of ice over rocks. Other then that, if your watching what your doing and not drunk (yea, theres drunk hikers out there! They are funny to laugh at.) then you have nothing to worry about.
bulldog49
01-30-2009, 10:59
I would not call it "dangerous", but going southbound up Dragons Tooth is pretty dicey. It's easily the most difficult section of AT I've done so far.
garlic08
01-30-2009, 11:03
Like everyone else said, depends on the weather and your state of mine (sober, alert, etc). In an ice storm, a sidewalk can be dangerous. On a nice calm sunny day, the gnarliest knife edge can be fun if you're in the mood. I don't remember any single step on the AT that was inherently dangerous if you're paying attention. The bouldering sections have rungs and ladders. The Mahoosuc Notch just takes time. The Presidential talus traverse likewise. All of my hiking accidents have happened 1/4 mile from a trailhead on smooth tread when the mind starts to wander, thinking about other things.
Frick Frack
01-30-2009, 11:09
Crossing the Palisades Parkway (NY) terrified me.
slowandlow
01-30-2009, 13:23
Crossing the Palisades Parkway (NY) terrified me.
Amen!
it's been said there is a far more dangerous section of trail than any footpath in the woods traverses... the town party vortex will swallow you up whole and drain you of your trail funds if you aren't careful
comming down off bear mountain in ct if it is wet can be a bit tricky
Blissful
01-30-2009, 14:40
Going up Speck mtn when you have to make a leap over to the ladder to your left or fall down the cliff face to points unknown.
I did not like the descent off North Carter in the Whites. Also I would think going SOBO down off Webster CLiff, there's one doozy of a descent there. But any descent with slick rock faces like in the Whites is bad. Thank God for tree roots and branches.
And in CT coming off St Johns ledges down to the road was no picnic. I nearly fell straight off except my hubby caught me by the pack.
Going up Speck mtn when you have to make a leap over to the ladder to your left or fall down the cliff face to points unknown.
I did not like the descent off North Carter in the Whites. Also I would think going SOBO down off Webster CLiff, there's one doozy of a descent there. But any descent with slick rock faces like in the Whites is bad. Thank God for tree roots and branches.
And in CT coming off St Johns ledges down to the road was no picnic. I nearly fell straight off except my hubby caught me by the pack.
st. john's ledges? really? I go up and down that regularly and with scouts. it's easy and never had an issue.
the madison gulf blue blaze nobo... that's one shortcut you don't want to take, trust me!
thanks for the info on north carter... something to look forward to this year, besides mahoosuc notch :)
Slo-go'en
01-30-2009, 15:18
Be careful of the bog bridges up here in New England when thier wet. Slicker than freash baby poo. I've slid off of those things more than once! The climb up to Wildcat from Pinkum Notch is interesting too, but you can blue blaze around it. It can get real interesting in Maine if the exposed ledges are wet.
Hikerhead
01-30-2009, 15:26
The trail going down Garfield northbound has been the most dangerous that I've came across so far. The trail is in a creek bed heading steaply downhill. Some of it being on slabs of rock that are like ice when wet. Had to hold on to trees, roots, rocks on the way down. I came very close to ending my hike when I slipped and came within inches of hitting the back of my head on a rock. It's a nasty little section.
Bankrobber
01-30-2009, 15:27
I found the entire Whites to be precarious. Especially the north side of Moosilauke during the rain. The Mahoosuc Range was also tough. I found that the trail got much easier from there.
On the PCT, traversing the snowfields on the high passes is a challenge. There are patches where the snow can be just a shell covering a hollow patch. Watch those ankles.
If you really want some death defying trail, check out the Mapiri trail that crosses the Bolivian Andes into the Amazon... I am glad I made it out alive.
4eyedbuzzard
01-30-2009, 15:55
Although you're not supposed to "traverse" this part of the trail in this manner, fording the Kennebec is pretty dangerous.
Going up Speck mtn when you have to make a leap over to the ladder to your left or fall down the cliff face to points unknown.
I did not like the descent off North Carter in the Whites. Also I would think going SOBO down off Webster CLiff, there's one doozy of a descent there. But any descent with slick rock faces like in the Whites is bad. Thank God for tree roots and branches.
And in CT coming off St Johns ledges down to the road was no picnic. I nearly fell straight off except my hubby caught me by the pack.
I thought the same thing. I met a group of teen girls going up (south) and cautioned them. Then near the road I met a couple of young guys from England going up to do some repelling.
SOBO on Old Blue Mountain in Maine and the same for Wildcat in New Hampshire almost browned my undies.
I blue blazed around Dragon's Tooth heading SOBO on a windy, icey day in November.
While I may not have avoided Old Blue and Wildcat, I was sure happy missing Dragon's Tooth.
Jan LiteShoe
01-30-2009, 16:49
I thought most of the Whites were hard and demanding of respect.
That said, they were my favorite part of the trail - the same could be said of southern Maine.
Also, I'm blanking on the PA town with the steep dirt descent going NOBO. Dunannon? C'Mon, brain... the pavilion town. Trick's town. That was interesting. Like the Whites, I used my butt and sat down when necessary. Glad it wasn't raining.
;-)
No one has mentioned the climb up Wildcat, or the Arm past Mahoosuc notch. Of course, having done those in the rain, it might skew my view. When wet, traction is a sometime thing, and on rocks traction is your friend!
With attention and fitness, all these crazy rocks are doable. They're why you go hiking! I worried about hypothermia more.
Am I the only one impressed with the climb up Katahdin?
;-)
Jan LiteShoe
01-30-2009, 16:51
Oh yeah, and the climb out of Palmerton - the cliffs of Lehigh Gap.
All momentary thrills, really quite beautiful. Going NOBO, the trail prepares you for everything you'll see farther on.
Now, those poor SOBOs, right out of the box...
;-)
sasquatch2014
01-30-2009, 16:59
I second the ice comment. A few of us ended up coming off early from a few day hike due to the ice in NY. You get big slabs of rock and when covered there is little way to get a grip. We chose not to go up and over West Mt right before Bear mt because the trail runs along the edge of the ridge. One slip and off you go. The actual fall would not have been more than 10 to 20 feet but bouncing and sliding the rest of the way down the Mt would have put a big damper on the day.
The temporary board walk coming into the AT train stop in Pawling. The boards are off set and can be slick. you may not get really hurt, save for a twisted ankle but you will be way wet and muddy. That could hurt your chances for catching a lift into town.
Tennessee Viking
01-30-2009, 17:14
For me, it would be Sugarloaf/Frozen Knob area. Last couple times I tried to hike that little section, I kept on getting hit by a thunderstorm coming over from Camp Creek. Lightning hit probably about 50 feet from me numerous times.
But I would have to say the Whites. Mt Washington supposedly has some of the worlds worst windchills.
Then the 100 mile Wilderness is only dangerous if you don't have enough supplies.
Jan - That would be Port Clinton?
Squeaky 2
01-30-2009, 17:22
i had a foot of snow in mahoosac notch. that added a whole new concept to boulder hopping !
The temporary board walk coming into the AT train stop in Pawling. The boards are off set and can be slick. you may not get really hurt, save for a twisted ankle but you will be way wet and muddy. That could hurt your chances for catching a lift into town.
yeah, when are you going to fix that? :)
Fording swolen streams in Maine in the rain year, 2003. Deep and fast-moving whitewater. Sometimes swift-moving brownwater. Truly frightening for a hiker who never learned to swim and has health-related balance issues as well. Best I could do some days was bushwack up or down beside a stream until I found a log to slowly scoot across.
Bet I'm going to have that recurring nightmare tonight. :eek:
Jan LiteShoe
01-30-2009, 18:06
Jan - That would be Port Clinton?
That's the place, thank you Marc.
Oh, and don't forget those bog bridges - slickery!
You won't fall to your death, but if you fall in the muck, the air can turn blue.
:sun
Jim Adams
01-30-2009, 18:51
Bog bridges, Webster Cliffs, Mahoosic Arm...all are slippery if wet.
Although not actually on the trail, in 1990 I watched Doc stand at the top of Little Wilson Falls for a photo and without moving her feet she slid right to the edge. We both thought that she was going over...she literally stopped on the edge. It shook us both up pretty bad.
geek
garlic08
01-30-2009, 18:56
I thought the same thing. I met a group of teen girls going up (south) and cautioned them. Then near the road I met a couple of young guys from England going up to do some repelling.
Were they going to repel the teen girls? Probably.
CrumbSnatcher
01-30-2009, 21:03
Enjoy reading the journals and posts of the different things hikers experience on the trail. Anyone have a section of the trail they thought was particually dangerous to cross over. Especially if you have a fear of heights or exposure. This did not bother me much when I was a lot younger, but I look at things differently now that I am older.
you could list a thousand places that could be dangerous. alot depends on the weather,time of day& your energy level, not paying attention enough.etc... i wouldn't worry so much til you actually come across the situation. (unless you want to avoid hiking dangerous sections all togeather!!! then everyone here had good responses)i've seen alot of hikers that are graceful as hell on the trail and then they trip over a crack in the sidewalk in town. just be careful without obsessing and over worrying and have fun
sasquatch2014
01-30-2009, 21:14
yeah, when are you going to fix that? :)
As soon as we get the funding in place and the permits from MTA to cross tracks with equipment. They want to do a boardwalk similar to Walkill last I heard. So if you have an extra few hundred thousand we"ll take it.
...just be careful without obsessing and over worrying and have fun
i used to obsess over the difficulty of my planned sections, asking questions here, etc. until i discovered that many folks (and journals) made some areas sound a lot worse than they are. when the trail gets a little harder, just go a little slower, no biggee
CrumbSnatcher
01-30-2009, 21:18
i used to obsess over the difficulty of my planned sections, asking questions here, etc. until i discovered that many folks (and journals) made some areas sound a lot worse than they are. when the trail gets a little harder, just go a little slower, no biggee
you should of ran for office TINMAN, you would of got my vote. its the same with asking how the trail is up ahead from someone coming the other way! you don't do it!
As soon as we get the funding in place and the permits from MTA to cross tracks with equipment. They want to do a boardwalk similar to Walkill last I heard. So if you have an extra few hundred thousand we"ll take it.
mta pencil pushers will take until the end of time to make it work. chopper the stuff in might be cheaper, no? or maybe the air guard looking for practice? then there is the old fashioned way - manuel and his labor, pick 'em up in downtown brewster or wherever, they will do whatever you need
Were they going to repel the teen girls? Probably.
I sure they thought about it.
you should of ran for office TINMAN, you would of got my vote. its the same with asking how the trail is up ahead from someone coming the other way! you don't do it!
reminds me... in the whites, the ones coming the other way don't ask about the trail, they ask about water sources right before they ask if i have any i can spare. yeah, i'm going to give my last bottle when he can't find any coming his direction, duh!
there was this one rock in PA that was crazy dangerous when it was wet, watch out for it
:jump:clap:jump:clap:jump:clap:jump
there was this one rock in PA that was crazy dangerous when it was wet, watch out for it
:jump:clap:jump:clap:jump:clap:jump
keep your gaiters tied tight. don't want to trip over them laces. :D
TrippinBTM
01-31-2009, 20:48
I would not call it "dangerous", but going southbound up Dragons Tooth is pretty dicey. It's easily the most difficult section of AT I've done so far.
felt the same way myself, about going down it (northbound). Knee-banger, that one. I also agree that going down to Port Clinton was ridiculously steep, and southern Maine was very rugged. Not sure about dangerous, though.
But there were some places in the New Hampshire, I'm thinking just a day or two north of Hanover, where there's some steep slick stone slabs you have to climb. It was wet (that is, sheets of water flowing down them) when I did them, and was pretty nervous. Some places like that in Maine too, maybe Mahoosuc Arm was one, as someone mentioned.
comming down off bear mountain in ct if it is wet can be a bit tricky
this is right on. Very scary. It was pouring rain when I went down that thing. The day after that there was a climb that was just like that, but going up. It was also pouring rain when I did that one too, haha.
Hmm, other tricky parts... Well, I remember some places in the Smokies where you're on a very narrow ridge, maybe 5 feet across, with a plummeting slope on either side. But that was just kinda cool, not dangerous. You could grab a tree on the way down if you slipped, and the ridge itself was pretty level.
But my worst fall was in Massachusetts on a flat section, so yeah. Take the trail at your own risk. ;) In my defense, it was an extremely slippery bridge over a stream. Yep, raining that day too. :rolleyes:
SGT Rock
01-31-2009, 20:51
Firescald bald was a little dicey when I crossed it. But I didn't consider it too dangerous - I just took my time.
... there were some places in the New Hampshire, I'm thinking just a day or two north of Hanover, where there's some steep slick stone slabs you have to climb. It was wet (that is, sheets of water flowing down them) when I did them, and was pretty nervous. ...
:
Smarts Mtn? That was fun.
there was this one rock in PA that was crazy dangerous when it was wet, watch out for it
:jump:clap:jump:clap:jump:clap:jump
Which one of the 50,000,000,000 are you talking about. :sun
Which one of the 50,000,000,000 are you talking about. :sun
u know that one, its on the trail you can't miss it :D
rainmaker
02-01-2009, 21:18
u know that one, its on the trail you can't miss it :D
I'm pretty sure I know which one you're talking about. It was the one Madame slipped on and did this remarkable faceplant that left her with a rather large goose egg on her fore head and double black eyes from her sunglasses. I'm sure that's the one.
sleeveless
02-01-2009, 22:37
Originally Posted by TrippinBTM http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/wb_style/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=769212#post769212)
... there were some places in the New Hampshire, I'm thinking just a day or two north of Hanover, where there's some steep slick stone slabs you have to climb. It was wet (that is, sheets of water flowing down them) when I did them, and was pretty nervous. ...
I think you are talking about the Beaver Brook trail on the northside of Moosilauke.
There is danger all around for those who cease to be careful. Take your eyes off the ground in front of you and you could end your hike with a hurt ankle or bad fall...doesn't matter where you are.
The thing that makes for more danger is being unprepared for sudden or extreme weather, or making bad decisions and getting in trouble with water consumption or exposure.
Heck, yesterday I slipped on some ice near Ashby Gap here in Virginia. It's a very easy section, but for a moment I was concerned I had hurt my wrist.
Always err on the side of caution. If going that extra 5 miles sounds like a bad idea, don't do it.
That being said, I did think the area before Albert mtn, the cliffside ascent, was a little dicey.
There is danger all around for those who cease to be careful. Take your eyes off the ground in front of you and you could end your hike with a hurt ankle or bad fall...doesn't matter where you are.
The thing that makes for more danger is being unprepared for sudden or extreme weather, or making bad decisions and getting in trouble with water consumption or exposure.
Heck, yesterday I slipped on some ice near Ashby Gap here in Virginia. It's a very easy section, but for a moment I was concerned I had hurt my wrist.
Always err on the side of caution. If going that extra 5 miles sounds like a bad idea, don't do it.
That being said, I did think the area before Albert mtn, the cliffside ascent, was a little dicey.
I hate good advice. It takes the vent out of adventure.
any section of rock face after an ice storm but most people are not as dumb as me about going out this time of year and hiking after dark, alone
I also agree that going down to Port Clinton was ridiculously steep,
Yeah, we went down that one on a dry day and it was still hellacious. We were inching down sideways and leaning on our poles for about the last half of it. My poor wife's calves were killing her by the end of it.
My poor wife's calves were killing her by the end of it.
Why put baby cows through something like that?
TrippinBTM
02-03-2009, 21:56
Originally Posted by TrippinBTM http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/wb_style/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=769212#post769212)
... there were some places in the New Hampshire, I'm thinking just a day or two north of Hanover, where there's some steep slick stone slabs you have to climb. It was wet (that is, sheets of water flowing down them) when I did them, and was pretty nervous. ...
I think you are talking about the Beaver Brook trail on the northside of Moosilauke.
no it was before Moosilake and the Whites. I think it was Smarts mountain, as Tin Man said. Fun? yeah, in hindsight, or safely from the top anyways.
Another dangerous part on the trail was the Maine bog bridges. Those things are rotting out completely. On the way in to Monson, I dripped on a spike sticking up from the now rotted away log, and landed on another spike at the other end of what would have been the bog bridge. I was lucky not to get a horrible puncture wound and tetanus; I landed full weight on it, on my left shoulder. Man was I pissed at the MATC, I almost wrote them a strongly worded email.
YoungMoose
02-03-2009, 22:06
Crossing the Palisades Parkway (NY) terrified me. That was horrible. I didnt thru hike but i did that part becuase its by my house. It took me like 10 minutes to cross just one side of it. the another to cross the other. I think they should either put a bridge or tunnel underneath.
mtnkngxt
02-04-2009, 07:29
Best way to keep yourself from getting hurt if you trip or take a fall is to learn to resist the temptation to reach out and catch yourself. I've trained myself to basically tuck my arms up into my chest when I fall. You end up with some bruised elbows and knees, but it keeps you out of a cast in my experience.
That was horrible. I didnt thru hike but i did that part becuase its by my house. It took me like 10 minutes to cross just one side of it. the another to cross the other. I think they should either put a bridge or tunnel underneath.
Rush hour is like that - morning & night.
The most "dangerous" sections of trail IMO are the steep ledges in ME & NH. A fall could result in a serious injury. There is nothing technical. Just lots of steep slabs with little to get a hand-hold on.
earlyriser26
02-04-2009, 10:43
Only time when I was nervous was taking the side trail around Charlies Bunion in the smokies. Don't trip.
Trail Bug
02-04-2009, 13:39
Thanks for all the replies, both serious and humorous. I can see that I really made a bad choice of my words. Difficult would have been a much better word to use. Any ways here is a short video you may enjoy. I wonder how many thru hikers we would have if we had to go over this trail.
http://www.darkskiesblog.com/2008/10/25/the-scariest-trail-in-the-world-video-embed/ (http://www.darkskiesblog.com/2008/10/25/the-scariest-trail-in-the-world-video-embed/)
garlic08
02-04-2009, 17:16
I need to swallow and get my gonads out of my throat. Awesome video.
trippclark
02-04-2009, 18:09
I have only hiked the southern 40% of the trail but I have never hiked on any trail that I felt was extremely perilous in good, dry conditions, but there have been a few sections that looked more dangerous than I would have expected. Three areas come to mind:
1) Just north of Dennis Cove Road and, I believe, before Laurel Cove Falls (or maybe just after), there is or was a section of trail above a swift moving creek where you have to hug a rock wall. As I recall, one mis-step or slick rock would result in a not-so-fun fall into a rough and rocky stream.
2) The next section was a few miles south of Niday Shelter, I think it was Sinking Creek Mountain. There was an extended section where the trail was along a steep rocky ridgeline, slanted at an uncomfortable angle. I would not want to do that section in high wind or when the rock was slick with rain or ice. It was unnerving enough in daylight with dry conditions at the end of a long, hot day.
3) Finally was the section north of Dragon's Tooth. This too was pretty rugged and looked like an easy place to get injured.
Thanks for all the replies, both serious and humorous. I can see that I really made a bad choice of my words. Difficult would have been a much better word to use. Any ways here is a short video you may enjoy. I wonder how many thru hikers we would have if we had to go over this trail.
http://www.darkskiesblog.com/2008/10/25/the-scariest-trail-in-the-world-video-embed/ (http://www.darkskiesblog.com/2008/10/25/the-scariest-trail-in-the-world-video-embed/)
Whew.....That trail would definitely separate the men from the boys and the make a lots of us wannabees!
middle to middle
02-04-2009, 19:19
I recall getting on my hands and knees and crawling on narrow cliff walks several times. And humping over a log across a stream. Ah such fun.
T
middle to middle
02-04-2009, 19:28
Actually I should say I have MS which gives me a bit of a balance problem especially when tired. When I fell I mastered a way of turning while falling and landing on my pack. It seemed to work most of the time.
Lone Wolf
02-04-2009, 19:51
Anyone have a section of the trail they thought was particually dangerous to cross over. Especially if you have a fear of heights or exposure.
nope. nothing dangerous that i've ever come across. the AT is way low on the danger scale
nope. nothing dangerous that i've ever come across. the AT is way low on the danger scale
tell that to this guy...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=WHe7zFAZ-mU
I've been hiking the trail and its environs for 60 plus years in all four seasons. None of it struck me as inherently dangerous -- well with the exception of wet bog bridges. But at times caution is required. For most three seasons, go slow and you are safe. Go fast and occasionly you will risk falls -- though none are likely to cause much distress.
Winter is a different situation. I've wintered a lot of Maine. With a wise party, the danger is pretty marginal. With a party of "cowboys" you can get killed.
So far I've avoided the latter.
Weary
tell that to this guy...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=WHe7zFAZ-mU
lmao, duh.
Near the summit of Lafayette in a lightning storm. Waited it out in the brush along the trail at about 4800 feet while I watched lightning dancing all around me and getting pelted with driving rain and hail stones the size of marbles. That hurt - WHEWWW!!!!
I really got freaked out this past Saturday while hiking in Arkansas. I was on a 4-6 inch wide, muddy trail along a 100 foot tall bluff. I made it about a mile and then vertigo set in and couldn't go another step. Basically had to crawl back down this trail back to the creek bottom. This never happened to me before, although I have always had a fear of heights. I don't have a problem in scrambling up and down rocks if I have some good holds, but this hiking on narrow trails on bluff edges really gets to me. From the answers to this thread I couldn't tell if there were places such as these along the AT?
Enjoy reading the journals and posts of the different things hikers experience on the trail. Anyone have a section of the trail they thought was particually dangerous to cross over. Especially if you have a fear of heights or exposure. This did not bother me much when I was a lot younger, but I look at things differently now that I am older.I think its good to have a natural fear of heights and exposure. I'm getting a little more tuned into such fears as I get older also. Makes me a wiser hiker. I'm still fairly experimental, but I'm getting increasing enjoyment out of lesser adventures. By lesser adventures I mean compared to what others have done. I'm actually doing more each year than I have in the past. 20 years ago I might not have done Katahdin because it wasn't Everest, so I still haven't done Katahdin. This year I will, and alot of other hikes that aren't even Katahdin. I like the wisdom that comes with age. It's not like I'm in danger of hoarding it all. I'm still and idiot, but I am having more fun. lol
jersey joe
03-18-2009, 13:29
Lightning turned out to be the most dangerous thing I encountered on the trail. Especially in the south while going over balds...
I really got freaked out this past Saturday while hiking in Arkansas. I was on a 4-6 inch wide, muddy trail along a 100 foot tall bluff. I made it about a mile and then vertigo set in and couldn't go another step. Basically had to crawl back down this trail back to the creek bottom. This never happened to me before, although I have always had a fear of heights. I don't have a problem in scrambling up and down rocks if I have some good holds, but this hiking on narrow trails on bluff edges really gets to me. From the answers to this thread I couldn't tell if there were places such as these along the AT?
Where bouts in arkansas ? ... My cus lives down there and i was there for about 10 days a few weeks ago ... Most trails i've done down there were at Petite state park i believe its called and pinnacle state park ...
Lightning turned out to be the most dangerous thing I encountered on the trail. Especially in the south while going over balds...
Doh, i got 2 weeks coming up from erwin to marion/sugargroove area ... It crosses a few balds from what i've read ... Should be interesting ... Not like up north here eh ?
Footslogger
03-18-2009, 13:33
Nothing particularly dangerous unless you have bad weather.
====================
Sly makes a very valid point ...WEATHER !
We were in Virginia, getting close to Niday Shelter and had to traverse a rock spine, which normally would have been relatively easy. But this particular morning in 2003 the temps dropped, the wind picked up and the rain started to come down ...and we are talking the horizontal stuff that gets in your eyes and stings. Anyway, one of the hikers in our group slipped and slid down a sheer wall of rock about 75 feet below the trail. He was ahead of us so when we didn't catch up to him we started wondering and called his name. Heard his voice coming from the bottom of the rocks. He was OK but it took quite a while to find a reasonable route for him to climb back to the trail.
Point being ...no, there aren't any inherently dangerous sections on the AT but given some bad weather conditions you have to pay pretty close attention to what you are doing.
'Slogger
jersey joe
03-18-2009, 13:42
Doh, i got 2 weeks coming up from erwin to marion/sugargroove area ... It crosses a few balds from what i've read ... Should be interesting ... Not like up north here eh ?
Not like up north at all! I had never hiked over balds until my thru hike, lots of hiking in the open, it's great, except when the thunderstorm rolls in and you are completely exposed!
Here is part of my journal entry from my thru hike when hiking just north of Mt. Rogers...
"...The trail broke out of the trees and began skirting over some bald mtns. I could see and hear the thunderstorms rolling in and didn't feel safe. After pausing a moment, I figured they were far enough away to change heading up onto the treeless mountain. I didn't even walk 100 yards when directly in front of me and not very far off, maybe a few hundred yards, a streak of lightning hurled out of the sky and hit the ground. The crash was deafening. I didn't crap my pants but later wondered why I didn't. I've never been so scared in my life. I turned around and ran like a scared little school girl back down to the cover of some trees. I kid you not, I lied down on the ground as lightening crashed everywhere. I sat there for about an hour until it seemed as if the storm had passed. I then decided to make a push for the shelter before dark. Well the trail headed over the bald and just kept going up as far as the eye could see. After 15 minutes of walking, I could see and hear the next thunderstorm rolling in and the thought of going even higher up on a bald mtn. didn't appeal to me. I wasn't going to mess with lightning again. My options were few...."
Where bouts in arkansas ? ... My cus lives down there and i was there for about 10 days a few weeks ago ... Most trails i've done down there were at Petite state park i believe its called and pinnacle state park ...
I was hiking the Indian Creek area of the Buffalo River near Kyles Landing
Not like up north at all! I had never hiked over balds until my thru hike, lots of hiking in the open, it's great, except when the thunderstorm rolls in and you are completely exposed!
Here is part of my journal entry from my thru hike when hiking just north of Mt. Rogers...
"...The trail broke out of the trees and began skirting over some bald mtns. I could see and hear the thunderstorms rolling in and didn't feel safe. After pausing a moment, I figured they were far enough away to change heading up onto the treeless mountain. I didn't even walk 100 yards when directly in front of me and not very far off, maybe a few hundred yards, a streak of lightning hurled out of the sky and hit the ground. The crash was deafening. I didn't crap my pants but later wondered why I didn't. I've never been so scared in my life. I turned around and ran like a scared little school girl back down to the cover of some trees. I kid you not, I lied down on the ground as lightening crashed everywhere. I sat there for about an hour until it seemed as if the storm had passed. I then decided to make a push for the shelter before dark. Well the trail headed over the bald and just kept going up as far as the eye could see. After 15 minutes of walking, I could see and hear the next thunderstorm rolling in and the thought of going even higher up on a bald mtn. didn't appeal to me. I wasn't going to mess with lightning again. My options were few...."
Thanks for sharing ... I had a taste of some southern lighting in arkansas when i was down there .... Some of the loudest brightest bolts of lightning i've seen, ever.
I've yet to cross any type of bald, i'm preparing for the exposure ... but i'm not sure you can prepare for that .... I'm sure if i find myself in that situation my first thoughts will be, joe didn't crap himself ... i'm not either ... but i may take your advice an run like a school girl .... heheheh
Lightning can be serious, i take it very serious ... Its nice to be prepared and aware ... Also its not proper to lay down in a lightning storm is it ?
I thought you should kneel or squat ... you wanna lower your height but minimize contact should a bolt strike close and strike you thru the ground ?
Someone should clear that up, i know i read that somewhere on lightning safety ...
Booger: Thanks, i'll have my cus track the trail down for me and i'll have to check it out next time i head down that way ...
Ox97GaMe
03-18-2009, 14:56
As was stated, nothing dangerous unless you encounter ice. There are a few places in the south where there are rock ledges for short distances that could be an issue in an ice storm. I have been at several of these in the winter, and it wasnt much fun.
a) Big Butt, between Standing Indian and Mt Elbert
b) Mt Elbert (not fun in a thunderstorm either)
c) below Shuckstack Fire tower just north of Fontana
d) ridgline just south of Clingman's Dome
e) ridgeline just south of Hughes Gap
All other areas that I can remember are in NH and Maine. There are several places there where you are doing rock scrambles that wouldnt be fun in bad weather
a) N Kinsman Mtn
b) South Twin Mtn
c) Wildcat Mtn
d) Carter Notch
e) Baldpate Mtn
f) Mahoosic Notch
g) Mount Katadin
Im sure others can add to the list. All in all, I never felt unsafe on the trail, and I have a fear of heights. Knifes Edge will definitely get your attention, but as has been stated, it isnt a necessary part of the AT. A lot of hikers like to make the hike over, just to say they have done it, It runs approx 1 mile from Baxter peak (AT northern terminus) to Panola Peak.
garlic08
03-18-2009, 15:41
Lightning can be serious, i take it very serious ... Its nice to be prepared and aware ... Also its not proper to lay down in a lightning storm is it ? I thought you should kneel or squat ... you wanna lower your height but minimize contact should a bolt strike close and strike you thru the ground ?
Someone should clear that up, i know i read that somewhere on lightning safety ...
Absolutely right--have just one point of contact with ground during a lightning storm. A nearby strike will cause ground currents which can conduct through the body core even if your feet are apart.
If I'm caught on a long above-treeline traverse in lightning (daily in the Colorado Rockies) with my backpack, I'll usually pitch my tarp and lie down on my dry foam pad until the storm passes. The dry foam is enough insulation.
Also stay away from shallow caves and depressions--the same ground currents can arc across the openings and into you.
The best place to be is below treeline, but even then it can be close:
jersey joe
03-18-2009, 17:09
Good info Garlic...I think I actually went and found a depression in the ground to hunker down in because i figured lower was better. I also went to an area with trees, just felt safer with taller things around me, even though, it may not have actually been safer.
drastic_quench
03-18-2009, 17:24
Absolutely right--have just one point of contact with ground during a lightning storm. A nearby strike will cause ground currents which can conduct through the body core even if your feet are apart.
If I'm caught on a long above-treeline traverse in lightning (daily in the Colorado Rockies) with my backpack, I'll usually pitch my tarp and lie down on my dry foam pad until the storm passes. The dry foam is enough insulation.
Also stay away from shallow caves and depressions--the same ground currents can arc across the openings and into you.
The best place to be is below treeline, but even then it can be close:
Damn, it that really from a lightning strike? -and you just happened by it? Awesome photo.
garlic08
03-18-2009, 19:42
Damn, it that really from a lightning strike? -and you just happened by it? Awesome photo.
Yeah, that lightning hit literally right in front of us, in NY, in one of the very intense storms last June. The funny thing was, a minute before that I was imitating Lt Dan (from Forrest Gump)(or Capt Ahab if you're more literary), yelling up at the sky, "Is this all you've got? You call this a storm?". Pickle thought I'd lost my mind. Then we got an answer that we couldn't ignore. It's not nice to tempt God.
Yeah, that lightning hit literally right in front of us, in NY, in one of the very intense storms last June. The funny thing was, a minute before that I was imitating Lt Dan (from Forrest Gump)(or Capt Ahab if you're more literary), yelling up at the sky, "Is this all you've got? You call this a storm?". Pickle thought I'd lost my mind. Then we got an answer that we couldn't ignore. It's not nice to tempt God.
...and I am hiking with you guys in about a week. Hmm...I may be rethinking this little backpack... ;)
Christopher Robin
03-18-2009, 20:20
Iknow Bear can be bad, but if yyou are on AT coming NO.BO. what trail to take in stead ?
Cookerhiker
03-18-2009, 20:50
Can't disagree with the Palisades Insterstate Parkway crossing but my vote: descending the north side of Moosilauke in wet conditions. At least I didn't have to face it; as a section hiker, I slackpacked Moosilauke SOBO on a nice Fall day.
My GF has hiked the whole Trail also in sections and for her, the NOBO ascent of Lehigh Gap was the "scariest" with Old Speck a close second.
Cookerhiker
03-18-2009, 20:56
Firescald bald was a little dicey when I crossed it. But I didn't consider it too dangerous - I just took my time.
My memory of Firescald: watching my pack rain cover drift like a parachute (http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=96219)down the mountain as a strong wind blew it off my pack. I didn't know it was off until I saw it sailing away.
Cookerhiker
03-18-2009, 21:00
.....Oh, and don't forget those bog bridges - slickery!
You won't fall to your death, but if you fall in the muck, the air can turn blue.
:sun
About that muck (http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=203590).....
The Dragon's tooth was pretty sketch when covered in ice,but I guess a lot of spot's are.
beakerman
03-19-2009, 02:24
Crossing the Palisades Parkway (NY) terrified me.
forget crossing it just driving it scared the crap out of me...it is a pretty drive but wow what a bluster duck (b=c and d=f) to drive.
Pokey2006
03-19-2009, 03:27
Going up a steep trail can be just as dangerous as going down. I've come close to wacking my head real good on the way up a rocky trail, from paying too much attention to where the hands and feet were going and not enough attention to what was above my head. I especially remember almost nailing my noggin on the way up South Kinsman. I mean, it would have split my skull wide open if I hadn't caught myself in time. Gotta be careful there.
But nothing on the AT compares to some of the other trails in the Whites. Try the Six Husbands Trail or the slide up Owl's Head for some real fun and adventure! The AT is like a superhighway by comparison.
Lone Wolf
03-19-2009, 04:24
the kennebec ain't dangerous
forget crossing it just driving it scared the crap out of me...it is a pretty drive but wow what a bluster duck (b=c and d=f) to drive.
You think that's bad, try some of the other New York parkways sometime. I drove most of the Taconic in a torrential downpour one time--in the fall, when the trees alongside the road that are supposed to make it pretty had shed all of their leaves on the pavement. One of the most terrifying and exhausting experiences of my life. We won't even get into the Jackie Robinson. :rolleyes:
You think that's bad, try some of the other New York parkways sometime. I drove most of the Taconic in a torrential downpour one time--in the fall, when the trees alongside the road that are supposed to make it pretty had shed all of their leaves on the pavement. One of the most terrifying and exhausting experiences of my life. We won't even get into the Jackie Robinson. :rolleyes:
palisdes, taconic, jackie robinson, saw mill, henry hudson, etc. etc. are only dangerous to drive when noobs are on the road :)
SelfRevolution37
05-26-2009, 18:14
lol nobody mentioned the bears. one time i was sleeping and a bear came sniffing around my tent. put that food in the tree!
turtle fast
05-27-2009, 01:44
Dragons tooth sucked for us...my wife (Little Bear) is 4'10" and the trail was not too kind for petite people...seemed that the ledges and rungs were for longer folks!
You all have scared the hell out of me for my upcoming section hike in the Whites that will include Lafayette, Webster and Garfield.
SawnieRobertson
05-27-2009, 19:38
Be careful of the bog bridges up here in New England when thier wet. Slicker than freash baby poo. I've slid off of those things more than once! The climb up to Wildcat from Pinkum Notch is interesting too, but you can blue blaze around it. It can get real interesting in Maine if the exposed ledges are wet.
Oh, thank goodness! Blue is my favorite color. :- )~~Kinnickinic
SawnieRobertson
05-27-2009, 19:42
SOBO on Old Blue Mountain in Maine and the same for Wildcat in New Hampshire almost browned my undies.
I blue blazed around Dragon's Tooth heading SOBO on a windy, icey day in November.
While I may not have avoided Old Blue and Wildcat, I was sure happy missing Dragon's Tooth.
Hooray! Any shade of blue is acceptable.--Kinnickinic
Taking a free day and traveling on the tail of the dragon NC now that's dangerous
You think that's bad, try some of the other New York parkways sometime. I drove most of the Taconic in a torrential downpour one time--in the fall, when the trees alongside the road that are supposed to make it pretty had shed all of their leaves on the pavement. One of the most terrifying and exhausting experiences of my life. We won't even get into the Jackie Robinson. :rolleyes:
Yup, concrete dividers on both sides in certain sections with no real shoulder to pull off on, no options if the unexpected happens. I would bet nothing has changed since I use to drive it.
Plodderman
06-17-2009, 16:19
Haven't found much of the trail dangerous but did run into a couple of storms in the Smokies that made hiking difficult. Lightning strikes and such.